An NHK survey found that the percentage of students participating in major junior high school athletic clubs, such as baseball and soccer, is the lowest in 37 prefectures, which accounts for nearly 80% of the nation.

Experts point out, "It is expected that the trend away from athletic clubs will continue. It is time for schools to reconsider the guidance and evaluation that have relied on club activities."

NHK interviewed the junior high school athletic federations in each prefecture and investigated the percentage of students who joined 29 sports clubs such as track and field, soccer and baseball.



As a result, it was found that this year's admission rate is the lowest ever in 37 prefectures, which is close to 80% of the whole country, since 2006 when accurate records remain.



The lowest was


▽ Nara Prefecture at 50.7%,


▽ Nagano Prefecture at 51%


, and Fukuoka Prefecture at 54.6%.



On the other hand, in high areas, it exceeds 70%, but in Iwate Prefecture, it has decreased by more than 10 points from the peak, and the downward trend is remarkable in various places.



The national average is 59.6%, the lowest ever, and it can be seen that students are moving away from sports clubs.



According to local governments and other sources, the lack of members due to the declining birthrate has led to a series of club activities being abolished, and the ``compulsory membership'' that requires students to join club activities has been reviewed and changed to ``voluntary membership''. The fact that more and more schools are switching schools is having an effect.



Ryo Uchida, a professor at Nagoya University's graduate school who is familiar with club activities, said, "It's expected that people will continue to move away from sports clubs, but it's a good thing that sports clubs, which have been pointed out to be overheated in practice, are being reviewed in various places. Children's students The use of extracurricular activities as part of instruction has been emphasized, but we should go back to the basics and face the students in classes and school events."