Youth's Potential Will Change Japan's Future
NASEF JAPAN announced a new growth strategy on April 24, 2026, aiming for 1,500 affiliated schools, 100 corporate members, and local branches in all 47 prefectures by 2030. The organization seeks to solve Japan's social issues through next-generation human resource development via eSports.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 04:22
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NASEF JAPAN to launch establishment of 1,500 affiliated schools, 100 corporate members, and local branches in all 47 prefectures.
Group photo of corporate members who attended the NASEF JAPAN press conference (April 24, 2026).
The Network of Academic eSports Federations Japan (hereinafter, NASEF JAPAN), a specified non-profit organization, held a 'NASEF JAPAN Press Conference' in Tokyo on Friday, April 24, 2026.
On that day, a new growth strategy was announced, aiming for 1,500 affiliated schools, 100 corporate members, 5,000 teams participating in the All-Japan High School eSports Championship, and the establishment of local branches in all 47 prefectures.
Building on its current high school network of over 670 schools nationwide, NASEF JAPAN plans to further expand next-generation human resource development through eSports and games. It aims to tackle Japan's complex issues such as the declining birthrate, DX talent shortage, youth migration from rural areas, and the need to respond to diverse learning in education, through youth development.
Japan's Challenge: "Human Resource Development to Support the Future"
At the beginning of the press conference, Masao Kakihara, Chairman of NASEF JAPAN, explained the current situation where Japan faces many social issues, stating,
"The essence is one: how to nurture talent that will support the future."
He further explained that future-supporting talent requires not only knowledge but also "thinking power," "collaboration skills," "challenging spirit," "digital utilization capabilities," and "understanding diversity," and that these abilities can naturally be fostered through eSports and games.
He declared, "We will not let games end as mere play, but will unlock the potential of youth and connect it to Japan's future," demonstrating NASEF JAPAN's determination to lead the way.
Over 670 affiliated schools, a nationwide network expanding
NASEF JAPAN currently has over 670 affiliated schools. This figure represents approximately 13% of all high schools nationwide, and when compared to high school club activities, it has expanded to a scale larger than karate clubs and approaching that of rugby clubs, he explained.
Furthermore, NASEF JAPAN's main initiatives to date include:
- All-Japan High School eSports Championship (held for 8 consecutive years since its predecessor tournament, growing into a tournament supported by the Japan Sports Agency)
- Digital education courses
- International exchange activities
- Workshops for elementary and junior high school students utilizing Minecraft
- PBL education awareness activities
This demonstrates a track record of comprehensive human resource development activities that combine eSports and education, not limited to just organizing eSports tournaments.
New Policy: NASEF JAPAN's New Challenge
Declaration of "Start of Corporate Membership System" and "Launch of Local Branch System" for nationwide expansion.
Given that there are over 5,000 high schools and over 1,700 municipalities across Japan, and many regions, schools, and young people still do not have sufficient access to opportunities for "learning and challenging," NASEF JAPAN declared the "Start of a Corporate Membership System" and the "Launch of a Local Branch System" to expand its "human resource development activities through eSports and games" nationwide.
NASEF JAPAN's goal is not merely scale expansion. It is to spread this initiative throughout the country and connect it to the future as a sustainable activity. To achieve this, it indicated its intention to collaborate with companies/organizations that share its philosophy and promote the creation of activity bases rooted in each region.
Goals for 2030: 1,500 schools, 5,000 teams, 100 companies, establishment of local branches
The following mid-term goals were set for 2030:
- 100 corporate/organization members
- Establishment of local branches in all 47 prefectures
- 1,500 affiliated schools
- 5,000 teams in the All-Japan High School eSports Championship.
Corporate Members: 28 companies/organizations participating (as of April 24, 2026).
The "Corporate Membership" system, which began recruiting on April 1, 2026, has already seen 28 companies/organizations join. It expressed its determination to fully launch concrete activities with these ambitious initial members and appealed for more companies/organizations that empathize with its philosophy and are willing to contribute to the future of youth to participate, expressing anticipation for expanding the circle of partners who together nurture the future of youth.
Comment from Masao Kakihara, Chairman of NASEF JAPAN: Japan currently faces many social issues. However, the essence lies in "how to nurture talent that will support the future." eSports and games have the potential to foster thinking skills, collaboration with peers, and the ability to challenge oneself while being absorbed by them. NASEF JAPAN will lead the way in transforming that potential into a force for society.
2026 Activity Plan: Promotion with 4 Pillars.
Next, Executive Director Toyohiro Oura announced the 2026 Activity Plan. 202
Group photo of corporate members who attended the NASEF JAPAN press conference (April 24, 2026).
The Network of Academic eSports Federations Japan (hereinafter, NASEF JAPAN), a specified non-profit organization, held a 'NASEF JAPAN Press Conference' in Tokyo on Friday, April 24, 2026.
On that day, a new growth strategy was announced, aiming for 1,500 affiliated schools, 100 corporate members, 5,000 teams participating in the All-Japan High School eSports Championship, and the establishment of local branches in all 47 prefectures.
Building on its current high school network of over 670 schools nationwide, NASEF JAPAN plans to further expand next-generation human resource development through eSports and games. It aims to tackle Japan's complex issues such as the declining birthrate, DX talent shortage, youth migration from rural areas, and the need to respond to diverse learning in education, through youth development.
Japan's Challenge: "Human Resource Development to Support the Future"
At the beginning of the press conference, Masao Kakihara, Chairman of NASEF JAPAN, explained the current situation where Japan faces many social issues, stating,
"The essence is one: how to nurture talent that will support the future."
He further explained that future-supporting talent requires not only knowledge but also "thinking power," "collaboration skills," "challenging spirit," "digital utilization capabilities," and "understanding diversity," and that these abilities can naturally be fostered through eSports and games.
He declared, "We will not let games end as mere play, but will unlock the potential of youth and connect it to Japan's future," demonstrating NASEF JAPAN's determination to lead the way.
Over 670 affiliated schools, a nationwide network expanding
NASEF JAPAN currently has over 670 affiliated schools. This figure represents approximately 13% of all high schools nationwide, and when compared to high school club activities, it has expanded to a scale larger than karate clubs and approaching that of rugby clubs, he explained.
Furthermore, NASEF JAPAN's main initiatives to date include:
- All-Japan High School eSports Championship (held for 8 consecutive years since its predecessor tournament, growing into a tournament supported by the Japan Sports Agency)
- Digital education courses
- International exchange activities
- Workshops for elementary and junior high school students utilizing Minecraft
- PBL education awareness activities
This demonstrates a track record of comprehensive human resource development activities that combine eSports and education, not limited to just organizing eSports tournaments.
New Policy: NASEF JAPAN's New Challenge
Declaration of "Start of Corporate Membership System" and "Launch of Local Branch System" for nationwide expansion.
Given that there are over 5,000 high schools and over 1,700 municipalities across Japan, and many regions, schools, and young people still do not have sufficient access to opportunities for "learning and challenging," NASEF JAPAN declared the "Start of a Corporate Membership System" and the "Launch of a Local Branch System" to expand its "human resource development activities through eSports and games" nationwide.
NASEF JAPAN's goal is not merely scale expansion. It is to spread this initiative throughout the country and connect it to the future as a sustainable activity. To achieve this, it indicated its intention to collaborate with companies/organizations that share its philosophy and promote the creation of activity bases rooted in each region.
Goals for 2030: 1,500 schools, 5,000 teams, 100 companies, establishment of local branches
The following mid-term goals were set for 2030:
- 100 corporate/organization members
- Establishment of local branches in all 47 prefectures
- 1,500 affiliated schools
- 5,000 teams in the All-Japan High School eSports Championship.
Corporate Members: 28 companies/organizations participating (as of April 24, 2026).
The "Corporate Membership" system, which began recruiting on April 1, 2026, has already seen 28 companies/organizations join. It expressed its determination to fully launch concrete activities with these ambitious initial members and appealed for more companies/organizations that empathize with its philosophy and are willing to contribute to the future of youth to participate, expressing anticipation for expanding the circle of partners who together nurture the future of youth.
Comment from Masao Kakihara, Chairman of NASEF JAPAN: Japan currently faces many social issues. However, the essence lies in "how to nurture talent that will support the future." eSports and games have the potential to foster thinking skills, collaboration with peers, and the ability to challenge oneself while being absorbed by them. NASEF JAPAN will lead the way in transforming that potential into a force for society.
2026 Activity Plan: Promotion with 4 Pillars.
Next, Executive Director Toyohiro Oura announced the 2026 Activity Plan. 202