Japan’s Innovations in the Sporting World

Japan’s culture of monozukuri, or careful artisanship, was evident in the works of art and finely crafted everyday items produced centuries ago, as well as in the automobiles and electronic devices the country created in the postwar era. Japanese makers seem to have lost their mojo in the face of fierce competition from emerging economies in recent years, but their careful approach to quality can still be seen in many sectors. This series looks at some lesser-known examples of Japan’s world-leading products in the field of sports.

(Photo: The Japan National Stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo, brought a wealth of innovative features to bear when it hosted the postponed Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2021. Taken on July 23, 2021. © Jiji.)