Official Announcement of the Formal Agreement to Unite PJF and JPA, Shaping the Future of Pickleball in Japan
- Yuka Takahashi
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
We are pleased to jointly announce a groundbreaking decision that will significantly shape the future of pickleball in Japan.
The boards of the Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF) and the Japan Pickleball Association (JPA) have formally agreed to establish a single unified governing body for pickleball in Japan, with the shared goals of strengthening national governance and contributing to the global growth of the sport.
The objectives of this unification are as follows:
As a unified international federation (IF) is being formed with the aim of having pickleball recognized as an official sport at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, the two organizations in Japan will also unify to become a single National Federation (NF). Through this, Japan will officially join the new IF and work toward Olympic participation as one of the leading nations in Asia.
To further accelerate the remarkable growth of pickleball in Japan over the past year, expand its nationwide reach, and promote pickleball not only as a competitive sport but also as a tool for health, wellness, and community-building, ultimately establishing it as a long-term part of Japanese society.
To bring this shared vision to life, both boards have acted swiftly and established a joint task force composed of representatives from both organizations. The primary purpose of this task force is to ensure a smooth and efficient transition, maintain a collaborative process that respects the values of both organizations, and guide the unification toward creating a governing body with clear priorities and the highest standards of national sports governance.
The creation of a single national federation will bring significant benefits to the entire pickleball community. This unification is expected to accelerate the development of the sport, attract greater investment, and establish a consistent and sustainable path for the future of Japanese pickleball on the international stage.
This announcement reflects the parties’ agreed intent to unify, and the parties will continue to engage in good-faith discussions toward the execution of a definitive agreement and the successful completion of the unification.
