The Impact of Professionalization in Japanese Basketball for youth generation: Focusing on the Membership of the Japan Basketball Association, Basketball Participation Rates, and Spectator Attendance Rates.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Institute of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tokyo, Japan

2 Researcher in University of Tsukuba, Tokyo, Japan

3 Researcher in Higashi Nippon International University, Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

Purpose: The shift to a professional model appears to have brought significant changes to the structure and governance of Japanese basketball. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis of youth basketball, focusing on key indicators such as changes in Japan Basketball Association (JBA) membership, participation rates, and trends in spectator attendance.
Methods: By understanding trends in JBA membership, basketball participation, and viewership, this research seeks to elucidate the impact of professionalization on youth involvement in basketball.
Results: The study examined to 1. Understand the transformative impact of the professionalization of basketball in Japan by following the establishment of the B. League in 2016 and 2. View the impact of the professionalization of basketball among youth generation in Japan. A linear regression analysis suggests that the number of JBA-registered youth players is decreasing at a rate of approximately 9,800 individuals per year. The B. League does not appear to have had a positive impact on the participation rate among youth generation, and there was no significant relationship observed between the development of the B. League and the proportion of live game attendance at the venue. However, since the launch of the B. League, the media viewership rate has increased significantly.
Conclusion: Based on these findings, the JBA, in collaboration with the B. League, should devise and implement strategies to convert media viewers into participants and live spectators.

Keywords

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Research in Sport Management and Marketing
Volume 6, Issue 2
April 2025
Pages 25-31

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