Sasakawa Sports Foundation conducts SSF National sport-Life Survey every

other year since 1992 to find the trend in sport participation.　The level

of participation in sport and physical activities was analyzed in terms of

frequency, duration, and intensity.　An "Active Sports Participant" is someone

who exercises somewhat moderate more than twice a week for over 30 minutes

at a time to maintain and improve their health.　According to the latest survey

taken in 2000, the result shows that 17.6% (18.6% for men and 16.6% for

women) of the respondents were active sport participants (Figure 3).　This

result shows a continuous increase since 1992, when the survey started (1992-6.5%,

1994-7.6%, 1996-9.6%, 1998-13.0%, 2000-17.6% shown in Figure 4).　The sport

participation rate for those who exercised more than once over the last twelve

months was 70.7% (75.9% for men and for 63.5% women) in 2000.　This proved

that sport participation in Japan has improved in quality.

　Aforementioned sport events have made a great impact not only on Japan

but also on other foreign countries.　Among Asian countries, municipalities

in Thailand, South Korea, Israel, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Japan

participated in international SfA events sponsored by TAFISA, such as International

Challenge Day, and World Walking Day, thereby developing their international

exchange through

sports.

　The World Games, an international multi-sport competition comprising sport not included in the Olympic Games was held in a northeastern regional prefecture, Akita in August 2001.　More than 3,000 participants from overseas took part in various cultural and SfA events that were taking place around the venue with the people from the communities.　This cultural aspect made the World Games a highly meaningful cultural and sport exchange event, which differentiate itself from the Olympics Games and the Asian Games.