THE END OF AMATEUR HEGEMONY IN JAPANESE SPORT, 1971-2003

Abstract

Unlike the United Kingdom, in Japan there exists an umbrella amateur sport organization known as the Japan Sports Association (JSA). However, until 2003 it was known as the Japan Amateur Sports Association (JASA). Adhering to its own amateur code of conduct, the JASA exerted ideological control over its member associations and athletes. 1 Therefore, in order to clarify what amateurism is in Japan, one needs to carefully trace the history of the JASA amateur code. The post-war JASA amateur code was first drawn up in 1947, and was revised in 1957 when it became more stringent. 2 It was not until after 1970 that the code began to become more relaxed. In 1971, professional coaches were admitted, and the restrictions that had prohibited member clubs from playing against their professional counterparts were removed. 3