INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS

Conceived as the world’s first “wheelchair-only international marathon”, the International Wheelchair Marathon has been held annually since 1981, making this the 41st anniversary of the event. It is one of the world’s biggest and best marathons and is highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally.
In the previous 40th anniversary marathon, more than 100 runners from Japan and abroad, including the world’s top athletes and well-known international athletes, participated in the event. In the men’s marathon, Marcel Hug of Switzerland broke the world record that had stood for 22 years, creating many moving and memorable moments.
The sight of these courageous runners running through the streets of Oita City, Kyushu, is sure to encourage and touch the hearts of many people again.

The Tokyo Marathon, which began in 2007, will be held on March 5, 2023 under the concept of "ONE STEP AHEAD. The 42.195 km marathon course will pass through many of Tokyo's famous landmarks. It starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, runs through Suidobashi, Asakusa Kaminarimon, and Ginza, and finishes in front of Tokyo Station on Gyoko-dori Avenue. The Tokyo Marathon also includes a 10.7 km race from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building through Suidobashi to Nihonbashi. The event is available not only to elite, but also to general runners, wheelchair users, junior runners, and people with disabilities. Come and experience the Tokyo Marathon, where you can feel the joy of running with real incredible athletes running next to you!

Boccia, an official Paralympic sport born in Europe, is designed for people with severe Cerebral Palsy or similar severe coordination impairment affecting both legs and arms. Also known as “curling on land”, the sport is renowned for its elaborated strategies and advanced techniques. The victor can be decided by a single millimeter margin, and in world tournaments, extreme concentration is required.
On the other hand, boccia transcends all barriers for everyone to have fun together, regardless of age, gender, or disability. Competitive boccia is now popular in about 40 countries around the world. The Tokyo 2023 Boccia Cup Final is scheduled to be held at Musashino Sports Complex in Tokyo in March 2023. Come and experience the advanced world-class techniques and the tension that envelops the entire venue.

The 2023 World Swimming Championships will take place in Fukuoka, Japan. The Championships’ concept of “WATER MEETS THE FUTURE” expresses the hope that all the participants will meet the future. The event takes aim to create the future of aquatic sports through innovative technology, and also create a future for the region by connecting various people. Six events will be held in Fukuoka City: swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving, open water swimming, and high diving. Come and experience these two futures along with our mascot character, ”SEALIGHT” and "SHIRNEY", as you watch the world-class swimming competitions.

The World Masters Swimming Championships Kyushu will take place in the cities of Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima in the island of Kyushu. Over 10,000 participants from about 100 countries and regions will compete in five disciplines: swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving, and open water swimming. By holding Kyushu jointly in the three cities, the effects of holding the Event will spread widely, such as “promoting swimming to all generations”, “promoting exchanges between participants and citizens”, “improving the power of cities by holding the Event”, and “economic ripple effects.”, Outside of the competition, the Kyushu World Championships aims for participants to enjoy a charming stay in these cities through events and other contents. Witness the success of a wide range of athletes, from ages in their 20s to 100 years old!

For the first time in history, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will be jointly hosted by three countries: Japan(Okinawa), the Philippines, and Indonesia. Since many houses in Okinawa used to be able to receive NBA broadcasts from the U.S., Japanese and foreigners have often played basketball together without any division in the past. In August 2023, Okinawa will host the world's premier basketball tournament. Come and enjoy Okinawa not only the excitement of basketball, but also the beautiful nature of Okinawa and its tourist attractions!

The Para Athletics World Championships will take place in Kobe in May 2024. The Para Athletics World Championships, established by the International Paralympic Committee, is the world's premier para athletics event. In 1994, the first Championships were held in Berlin, Germany. In 2024, the 11th Para Athletics World Championships in Kobe will be held in East Asia for the first time in history. The Kobe 2024 Para Athlitics World Championships Games will also serve as the final selection stage for para-athletes to compete in the Paris Paralympics to be held in the same year. Experience the excitement of various competitions in Kobe!