Kawaijuku Group to Support High School Students in 'Mind Sport' Mahjong – Sponsoring the National High School Mahjong Championship

Kawaijuku Group has decided to sponsor the 'National High School Mahjong Championship' (scheduled for July and August 2026), organized by The Asahi Shimbun Company, as an Educational Exploration Partner. Through this initiative, the group aims to support the growth of young people through mahjong as a mind sport.

Growing Popularity Among Teens as a Mind Sport In recent years, mahjong has seen a significant surge in popularity among teenagers. The competitive population in this age group rose from 250,000 in 2018 to approximately 780,000 in 2023, a nearly threefold increase. This growth is driven by the recognition of mahjong's characteristics as a mind sport, requiring mathematical and logical thinking to optimize hand combinations, judgment to handle uncertain elements, and strategic skills for competing against four opponents. In 2017, it was officially recognized as an international mind sport.

Establishment of 'Mahjong Clubs' in High Schools As of 2026, nearly 20 high schools across Japan, including Hyogo Prefectural Himeji Higashi and Kanagawa Prefectural Kishine and Fujisawa Sogo High Schools, have established clubs or circles dedicated to mahjong as a mind sport. Kawaijuku observed students growing together through reflection and discussion, identifying significant educational potential. However, overcoming old negative stereotypes and promoting the understanding of mahjong as a healthy mind sport remains a challenge.

Details of Initiatives Kawaijuku Group will implement the following during the 2nd championship in July 2026: - Sponsorship as an Educational Exploration Partner. - Introduction of 'Post-game Review Sessions' and 'Critical Thinking Awards' to help visualize the learning process. - Long-term continuous observation and empirical research utilizing high school club activities and practice sessions.

2nd National High School Mahjong Championship Info Organizer: The Asahi Shimbun Company Regional Qualifiers: July 5–20, 2026 (Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka) National Finals: August 13–15, 2026 (Tokyo)