NASEF JAPAN to Foster Talent through "e-sports/Games x Education"
NASEF JAPAN launches a regular membership system for companies, aiming to foster next-generation digital talent through e-sports.
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 03:30
NASEF JAPAN, with 650 affiliated schools nationwide, begins recruiting regular members.
IT, telecommunications, gaming, and e-sports related companies/organizations are joining one after another!
The International Educational e-sports Federation Network Japan Headquarters (NASEF JAPAN), a specified non-profit organization with over 650 high schools affiliated nationwide, is introducing a "Regular Membership System" for companies and organizations, aiming for nationwide expansion, coinciding with its 5th anniversary on April 1, 2026.
In Japan, the shortage of digital talent is becoming severe with the promotion of DX (Digital Transformation). According to a survey* by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, there is a prediction of a potential shortage of up to approximately 790,000 IT professionals by 2030. In this context, initiatives to foster next-generation digital talent throughout society, including schools, companies, and communities, are gaining importance.
NASEF JAPAN has been working on nurturing next-generation talent, primarily high school students, by promoting digital education and inquiry-based learning, with e-sports/games as the entry point. Furthermore, it has been engaged in educational support activities in cooperation with high schools nationwide through events such as the "NASEF JAPAN All-Japan High School e-sports Championship" and the provision of educational materials.
The newly launched "Regular Membership System" is a new framework to further expand these activities nationwide. NASEF JAPAN is broadly seeking the participation of companies and organizations that endorse its philosophy.
■ Endorsement Comments from Regular Member Companies
Thirdwave Co., Ltd.
Representative Director, Kensuke Ozaki
Thirdwave has empathized with NASEF JAPAN's philosophy since its inception and has supported its activities through special sponsorship of the "All-Japan High School e-sports Championship" and other initiatives.
We have also fostered e-sports as a new culture in Japan and promoted regional revitalization nationwide through corporate hometown tax donations.
Going forward, we will continue to contribute to the development of next-generation talent through e-sports, together with other regular members who share our aspirations.
NTTe-Sports Co., Ltd.
President and CEO, Motoharu Harada
NTTe-Sports wholeheartedly welcomes the launch of NASEF JAPAN's regular membership system.
We are confident that in the future, even more like-minded companies will support this initiative, accelerating the development of next-generation digital talent with e-sports/games as the entry point.
Previously, our company collaborated on projects such as the All-Japan High School e-sports Championship and NTTe-Sports High School. Moving forward, we will further strengthen our partnership to expand the future possibilities for young people and drive solutions to societal challenges.
Logitech Co., Ltd.
Representative Director and President, Kenji Kasahara
We deeply endorse NASEF JAPAN's philosophy of bringing innovation to next-generation education through e-sports, and we are honored to join as a member.
We are confident that our cutting-edge gaming gear, which deploys e-sports devices globally, will serve as a foundation to support students in cultivating logical thinking and teamwork.
We are determined to work together to expand the possibilities of the educational field from the perspective of gaming devices and to foster talent that will thrive in a digital society.
We look forward to co-creation with everyone.
DRIMAGE JAPAN Co., Ltd.
President and CEO, Keita Nakanishi
Supporting NASEF JAPAN's activities, we have joined as a regular member to help sensitive students cultivate the value of cooperation and advanced communication skills through games.
In the future, we will provide our "Arcelon" platform as a tool for next-generation communication learning and strategic thinking, and together with our partners, we will challenge the creation of new value for e-sports in education.
Rakuten Group, Inc.
Commerce & Marketing Company
Regional Revitalization Business
Vice General Manager, Regional Strategy Promotion Department & Senior Manager, Regional Revitalization Research Lab, Tadashi Tachiba
We believe that the empowerment through e-sports, which NASEF JAPAN advocates, aligns with Rakuten's mission to "empower people and society through innovation."
The potential of e-sports to create bonds through play, transcending attributes and distance, is precisely the "connection between people, companies, and regions" that Rakuten emphasizes in regional revitalization.
As a regular member, we will utilize Rakuten's knowledge and know-how in regional revitalization to contribute to improving children's digital literacy, nurturing next-generation talent, and creating new businesses.
■ List of Regular Member Companies/Organizations (as of April 1, 2026) *In alphabetical order
Appreciate Inc.
eStadium Co., Ltd.
e-Space Academia
Aimnext Inc.
NTTe-Sports Co., Ltd.
Kimura Information Technology Co., Ltd.
Kumamoto Nichinichi Shimbun Holdings Co., Ltd.
COCRI LLC
Thirdwave Co., Ltd.
Sigma Soft Service Co., Ltd.
General Incorporated Association Shimane e-Sports Union
Daikoh Kyushu Co., Ltd.
Ditadeas Co., Ltd.
DELTA PLUS Co., Ltd.
Tokushima e-Sports Association
DRIMAGE JAPAN Co., Ltd.
High Ho Co., Ltd.
General Incorporated Association Fukui e-Sports Union
Yanai Grand Hotel Co., Ltd.
Youdom Co., Ltd.
Rakuten Group, Inc.
Relive Inc.
Re.road Co., Ltd.
Logitech Co., Ltd.
Total 24 companies/organizations
■ About the Regular Membership System
NASEF JAPAN's regular members consist of companies/organizations that endorse the organization's philosophy and jointly promote its activities. Regular members participate in educational support activities and business development, and through cooperation with schools/companies/communities nationwide, they promote the development of next-generation talent and regional revitalization with e-sports/games as the entry point.
Furthermore, NASEF JAPAN will endeavor to create opportunities for companies/organizations to connect with children/students/university students and educational institutions (high schools/colleges of technology/universities/vocational schools) through educational programs, events, and various projects.
【Regarding Recruitment of Regular Members】
NASEF JAPAN is broadly recruiting companies/organizations that support its philosophy and wish to jointly promote its activities as regular members.
◆ Recommended for the following companies/organizations:
・Interested in e-sports but unsure how to link it with their own business
・Want to expand their network with companies/organizations in the e-sports business
・Want to be involved in high school e-sports events and tournaments
・Interested in "e-sports x digital education" but lack materials or know-how
・Want to utilize e-sports/games to revitalize their local area
Please see the following page for details:
NASEF JAPAN Regular Membership Recruitment Page
＜Contact Information＞
NASEF JAPAN Secretariat [email protected]
＜About NASEF JAPAN＞
The International Educational e-sports Federation Network Japan Headquarters (abbreviation: NASEF JAPAN), a specified non-profit organization (Chairman: Masao Kakihara), was established in November 2020 as the Japanese headquarters of the global educational e-sports organization NASEF.
Currently, over 650 high schools nationwide are affiliated, and it promotes digital education and inquiry-based learning utilizing e-sports/games as an educational tool.
Its main activities include organizing the "NASEF JAPAN All-Japan High School e-sports Championship" and providing educational materials utilizing e-sports/games to affiliated schools.
● NASEF JAPAN Website
● NASEF JAPAN X (formerly Twitter)
*Source: 2016 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry "Survey on Latest Trends and Future Estimates of IT Human Resources"
FAQ
What is NASEF JAPAN's Regular Membership System?
It's a membership system for companies/organizations that endorse NASEF JAPAN's philosophy and jointly promote next-generation digital talent development and regional revitalization through e-sports.
What are the benefits of becoming a regular member?
Benefits include involvement in e-sports events, expanding corporate networks, gaining digital education know-how, and contributing to regional revitalization.
What activities does NASEF JAPAN conduct?
They organize the All-Japan High School e-sports Championship, provide educational materials, and promote digital education using e-sports.