The 2nd National High School Mahjong Championship to be Held
The Asahi Shimbun will host the 2nd National High School Mahjong Championship for high school students across Japan in August 2026. Qualifiers will be held in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka in July, with collaborative educational research conducted alongside the Kawaijuku Group.
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- 📰 Published: May 23, 2026 at 00:00
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This tournament was established in 2025 in response to the growing number of young people engaging in competitive mahjong, fueled by the development of the professional mahjong league 'M.League.' The inaugural tournament last summer saw 572 participants from 286 teams representing 180 schools nationwide, with a team from Tokyo Metropolitan Koishikawa Secondary Education School winning the title.
In the 2nd tournament, parts of the semifinals and the finals will be broadcast live on the 'ABEMA Mahjong Channel.' By bringing the high school students' intense competition to the nation, the tournament aims to widely promote the appeal of mahjong as a mind sport.
Furthermore, in collaboration with the Kawaijuku Group, which has newly sponsored the tournament as an 'Educational Exploration Partner,' the organizers will begin exploring how mahjong, as a sophisticated mind sport, connects to the learning and growth of high school students. Initiatives such as post-match 'Kansosen' (review sessions) and the introduction of a 'Thinking Ability Award' will aim to visualize the learning gained through mahjong.
Qualifiers will be held at N High School Group campuses in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, with all matches conducted on the official tournament apps, 'Sega NET Mahjong MJ' and 'Mahjong Fight Club Sp.' In the national tournament, real-life matches using fully automatic tables will be held in addition to app-based matches. Participants are recruited through the official tournament website.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the 2nd National High School Mahjong Championship?
The purpose is to promote the intellectual appeal of mahjong as a sport, in response to the increasing number of young people approaching mahjong competitively, driven by the development of the professional mahjong league M.League.
When and where will the preliminary and national tournaments be held?
The preliminaries will be held in Fukuoka on July 5, Osaka on July 11-12, and Tokyo on July 19-20, 2026. The national tournament will be held in Tokyo from August 13-15, 2026.
What new initiatives are being introduced in this tournament?
Kawaijuku Group will collaborate as an 'Educational Exploration Partner' to explore how mahjong can contribute to high school students' learning and growth. Additionally, 'Post-Match Reflections' and 'Thinking Power Awards' will be introduced after matches.
What are the entry fees and rules for the tournament?
The entry fee is free (participants must cover their own travel expenses). The rules will follow the M.League rules.
Where can the tournament be viewed?
The semi-finals and finals will be live-streamed on the 'ABEMA Mahjong Channel'. Details can be found on the official tournament website.