JSPO Consultation Desk for Violence in Sports: FY2025 Consultations Reach Record High of 603 Cases

JSPO (Official Name: Japan Sport Association, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo / President Toshiaki Endo), which creates an environment to 'play', 'watch', and 'support' sports, has announced that the number of consultations regarding 'Spohara' (sports harassment = inappropriate behavior such as violence, verbal abuse, and harassment in sports settings) received at its 'Consultation Desk for Violence in Sports' in FY2025 reached a record high of 603 cases.

Based on these results, JSPO will work to eradicate inappropriate behaviors such as violence, verbal abuse, and harassment in sports by enhancing coaching and communication skills through its information magazine 'Sport Japan' and training for sports instructors.

JSPO Consultation Desk for Violence in Sports FY2025 Performance

◆ Trend of Consultations by Fiscal Year

JSPO established the 'Consultation Desk for Violence in Sports' (hereinafter referred to as the 'Consultation Desk') in March 2013 to respond to consultations regarding Spohara.
The number of consultations has been increasing year by year, except for the fiscal year when it decreased due to the impact of the new coronavirus infection. In FY2025, it reached a record high of 603 cases (adult desk: 564 cases, children's desk: 39 cases).

This is believed to be due to increased awareness of Spohara through the 'NO! Spohara' campaign and the gradually increasing recognition of the Consultation Desk. It is also considered that an environment where it is easier to consult about Spohara is being built.

Please refer to the attached materials for detailed contents.

[Key Points of Attached Materials]
- 'Verbal abuse' still accounts for a large percentage of consultation contents.
- 74% of victims are high school students or younger, of which 43% are elementary school students.

Regarding the breakdown of consultation contents, 'verbal abuse' is still the most common, accounting for 36% in FY2025. This was followed by 'power harassment (excluding violence and verbal abuse)' at 23%.

As for the percentage of victims, 74% are high school students or younger, of which 43% are elementary school students (elementary 43%, junior high 22%, high school 9%). It is highly probable that children, who are in a position where it is difficult to speak up even when subjected to inappropriate behavior by instructors, frequently become victims.

To make it easier for children to consult, a consultation desk for children was established in July 2022. In FY2025, there were 39 consultations (compared to 61 in FY2024). Regarding the reason for the decrease in consultations, since the proportion of parents consulting the children's desk is increasing, it is inferred that overall, parents are more likely to consult on behalf of the children themselves.

Related Links
- JSPO's initiatives to eradicate violence
https://www.japan-sports.or.jp/cleansport/tabid1349.html

- Consultation Desk for Violence in Sports
For adults: https://www.japan-sports.or.jp/cleansport/tabid1354.html
For children: https://www.japan-sports.or.jp/cleansport/tabid1363.html

- No! Spohara Campaign Special Page
https://www.japan-sports.or.jp/spohara/

◆ About JSPO (Japan Sport Association)
JSPO was founded in July 1911 as the Greater Japan Physical Education Association with the aim of 'promoting national sports' and 'improving international competitiveness'. After being known as the Japan Amateur Sports Association, it assumed its current name on April 1, 2018.
JSPO conducts a wide range of activities to enable everyone to spontaneously 'play', 'watch', and 'support' sports, including hosting sports events covering all generations such as the National Sports Festival and Japan Sports Masters, creating places to play sports such as sports youth groups and comprehensive regional sports clubs, training sports instructors to support the enjoyment of sports, and promoting sports based on the latest medicine and science. As the unified organization for sports in Japan, it collaborates with various sports-related organizations, groups, and individuals, including the national government, over 60 sports federations, and 47 prefectural sports associations.