【Project Activities】

The “3rd Smile Cup 2025” was held on March 1, 2025, at Ishin Taiko Arena (Yamaguchi City), inviting top-level players from Japan, Taiwan, and Korea. Before the tournament, a badminton training session was held with ACT SAIKYO Academy coaches, and a wheelchair badminton experience was led by former Japanese national para-badminton players. On February 28, a “Universal Tour” was conducted with international players around Yamaguchi Prefecture.

【Project Background】

This project was selected for the 2024 Japan Sports Agency’s Sports Tourism program. It was driven by the desire to realize a symbiotic society by providing inclusive tourism and badminton competitions that everyone can enjoy.

【Project Objective】

To raise awareness of para-badminton, improve skills in both badminton and para-badminton, revitalize the local community, and assess/suggest improvements for the barrier-free status of Yamaguchi City and its surroundings.

【Project Area】

Sports Tourism

【Methods】

Event/Competition Support

【Outcomes】

Conducted a “Universal Tour” accessible by wheelchair, identifying barrier-free rooms in the Yuda Onsen area and evaluating accessibility at local tourist sites. This allowed for formal improvement requests to the prefecture and city. A large-scale tournament was successfully held where domestic and international players with and without disabilities competed in the same space.

【Voices from Participants and Partners】

International Players: High satisfaction with the tour. While Korea and Taiwan have similar scenery, they found Japan’s sites “lovely.” The “Ouchi-nuri” (traditional lacquerware) chopstick-making experience was particularly popular as a tangible memory. Tournament satisfaction was high due to competing with world-class players.

【Challenges and Lessons Learned】

There is a need to develop more barrier-free tourist destinations and identify more wheelchair-accessible hotels. Expanding the scale of the tournament and including other sports will further contribute to regional revitalization.

【URL】

https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/kraff6ae99d7174b67bb3780af14800ec8

https://www.mext.go.jp/sports/content/20250509-stiiki-000038009-7.pdf

https://www.rmc-chuo.jp/globalwind/2025050101/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25K6zwvB6e0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oeloysbj2C0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxKzvNi7cO0