Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum Launches 'Sports Digital Archive'

The Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum, part of the Japan Sport Council (JSC), has been working to develop an environment where sports-related materials scattered throughout Japan can be understood and utilized comprehensively, with the aim of preserving, inheriting, and promoting their use.

As part of these efforts, the museum established the 'Japan Sports Museum Network' to build a collaborative structure with related institutions and launched the 'Sports Digital Archive' website on June 9, 2026, which allows users to search and view sports-related materials.

This digital archive features photographs, documents, sports equipment, and books from the museum's collection that have been organized and digitized. It also provides information on the history and culture of sports in Japan, centered on the museum's own materials, accessible via the internet.

Moving forward, the museum plans to expand its collaboration with other museums and athletic organizations to gradually add materials held by each institution. Additionally, it will work with the National Diet Library's 'Japan Search' to create an environment where materials in this digital archive can be searched and viewed collectively, thereby expanding access to dispersed sports materials. By continuously advancing the preservation and publication of these materials, the museum aims to provide more people with opportunities to engage with the history and values of sports.

Although the museum is currently closed in preparation for the opening of a new facility, the collection can be viewed through this digital archive.

[Available Content] - Collection Items: Photographs, documents, sports equipment, etc., held by the Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Museum. - Books: Sports-related books held by the Prince Chichibu Memorial Sports Library (those with available digital content). - People: Basic information on individuals involved in sports. - Chronology: A timeline introducing major sports events, tournaments, and records (scheduled for future release).

Launch Date: June 9, 2026 Cost: Free