Japan Pickleball Association, Pickleball Japan Federation Make Landmark Move to Form Unified Body

Japan’s two major pickleball bodies, the Pickleball Japan Federation and the Japan Pickleball Association, have announced the establishment of a single unified governing body. The move marks a milestone for pickleball in Japan, as it signals a major restructuring that will shape the sport’s future in the country.

“We are pleased to jointly announce a groundbreaking decision that will significantly shape the future of pickleball in Japan,” the two organisations wrote in a joint statement announcing the landmark unification. “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.”

This unification, according to the JPA and PJF, aims to:

• Have pickleball recognised as an official sport at the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games. The two organisations will unify to become a single National Federation (NF). Through this, Japan will officially join the new IF and work towards Olympic participation as one of the leading nations in Asia.
• 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.
• Bring this shared vision to life. Both boards have acted swiftly and established a joint task force composed of representatives from both organisations. 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 organisations, and guide the unification towards 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,” the two organisations further wrote. “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.”

Both the JPA and PJF have expressed their intention to keep engaging in “good-faith discussions” so that this unification can be realised in the soonest possible time.