Announcement of Live Streaming Project for All Matches of the 55th National Junior High School Handball Championship

In August 2026, the 55th National Junior High School Handball Championship, part of the Reiwa 8 National Junior High School Athletic Meet, will be held in Okayama Prefecture. This tournament is organized by the Japan Junior High School Athletic Federation and the Japan Handball Association, and will be hosted by the Okayama Prefecture Handball Association. To deliver all matches live nationwide, the Okayama Prefecture Handball Association is launching a crowdfunding campaign. The Japan Handball Association also supports this initiative as an organizing body.

To connect the final "Zenchu" to the future

This tournament will be the last National Junior High School Handball Championship held as part of the National Junior High School Athletic Meet. It is a special stage for junior high school students aiming for the national championship, and many Japanese national team players who compete globally have strived to reach this stage. This historic national tournament will reach a milestone with its final event in Okayama Prefecture.

Review of "Zenchu" and preparation of future playing environments

The discontinuation of handball from the National Junior High School Athletic Meet was announced by the Japan Junior High School Athletic Federation in June 2024. Due to factors such as the declining birthrate, teacher workload, and hosting costs, some sports, including handball, will cease to be held at the National Junior High School Athletic Meet starting in 2027. This is a significant decision for handball, as junior high school club activities have largely been responsible for its popularization and talent development.

The Japan Handball Association views this change as an opportunity to reconsider the future of handball and is proceeding with a "10-Year Plan for Playing Environment Improvement" aimed at enhancing playing opportunities and reorganizing national tournaments, focusing on the playing environment for children from elementary to junior high school age. As part of this, a new "U-15 National Championship" will be established in August 2027, where club teams and school clubs will compete for the national title on the same stage. The stage for junior high school students to aim for national recognition will continue in a different form.

Therefore, to ensure that the final "Zenchu," which marks the end of an era as a National Junior High School Championship, is preserved in a way that connects to the next generation, the host, Okayama Prefecture Handball Association, aims to achieve live streaming of all matches. This initiative seeks to deliver the performances of athletes giving their all on their final stage not only to those who can attend in person but also to family and friends living far away, coaches and stakeholders who have supported "Zenchu" over the years, and future handball players.

The Japan Handball Association, as an organizing body, endorses the purpose of this initiative and will cooperate to ensure it reaches a wider audience.

To deliver all 44 matches nationwide

If the target amount is achieved, live broadcasting and archiving of all 44 men's and women's matches, as well as commentary for the semifinals and beyond, are planned. One point passed between teammates, cheers from the bench, the spirit of never giving up until the end. The pure passion that only junior high school students can exhibit can be witnessed from anywhere in the country. Furthermore, the desire of children who watch these videos to "stand on this stage themselves" will lead to the future of handball.

Implementation Overview

● Tournament Name: Reiwa 8 National Junior High School Athletic Meet 55th National Junior High School Handball Championship ● Crowdfunding Period: June 30, 2026 (Tue) 9:00 AM - August 1, 2026 (Sat) 11:59:59 ● Target Amount: 1,650,000 yen ● Method: All-or-Nothing (Support is only finalized if the target amount is reached; otherwise, all funds will be refunded) ● Scope: Live streaming and archiving of all 44 men's and women's matches, etc.

From the Japan Handball Association

"We hope that this tournament, the last to be held as a National Junior High School Championship, will be a memorable one for many people. Video streaming is an initiative to deliver the tournament to families and friends who cannot attend, coaches, alumni, and future handball players. The Japan Handball Association also supports this meaningful challenge of recording the athletes' full efforts and passing them on to the next generation."

Gen Fujimoto, Executive Director, The Handball Association of Japan

To deliver the historic final "Zenchu" beyond the venue and into the future. We kindly ask for your support and cooperation. * The project will begin accepting applications from June 30, 2026 (Tue) at 9:00 AM.

Click here for the crowdfunding page >