At GRIPS Forum on July 8, 2024, Mr. Masaya Kawata, Chairman, Japan Table Tennis Association, gave a lecture titled “Challenges of Table Tennis : The Correlation of Sport, Business and Public Sector”.

Abstract:

Historically, Japan has produced numerous world champions in table tennis. Although the sport experienced decline since 1980’s, it has seen a significant resurgence in recent years by the long-term planning, marked by consistent achievements at World Championships and Olympic Games since 2010’s, with concurrently boosted popularity.I would like to discuss following topics including global view points

- the history and attractiveness of table tennis,

- interrelations among sports, business practices and public institutions,

- broader prospects for the sport

Speaker: Mr. Masaya Kawata,

Chairman, Japan Table Tennis Association

Speakers’ Profile:

1952 Born in Shimonoseki-city, Yamaguchi prefecture

1975 Graduated from Hitotsubashi University?

1975-2023 Joined Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.（since2009, Nisshinbo　Holdings Inc.）?

2006-2019 Managing Director/Corporate officer,?

2007-2023 Director/Member of the Board　

2013-2021 Representative　Director　

2013-2019 President,　

2019-2023 Chairman,　

2021-2024 President, Japan Students Table Tennis Federation

2021 Outside director, Meiji Holdings Co.,Ltd.

2021 Outside director, CENTRAL GLASS CO. LTD ?

2022 President, Japan Table Tennis Association

What is GRIPS Forum?

Since its establishment in 1997, the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) has promoted research and education on a wide variety of policy issues. The GRIPS Forum invites specialists from national and local governments as well as academic and business communities to promote policy studies and expand policy networks.