Human Rights Watch said that child athletes in Japan suffer physical, sexual and verbal violations during exercise. It called for changing laws in it and around the world to protect millions of these children.
In a new report issued on Monday, the organization documented depression, suicide, physical disabilities and permanent trauma resulting from violations against these children.
The 67-page report, "Struck a lot, I can't count", documents abuses against child athletes in Japan.
The report recalls Japan's history of corporal punishment in sports known as Japanese "taijutsu", and reveals violations of children's right to exercise in Japanese schools, federations and high-level sports.
According to the report, Japanese athletes reported in more than 50 sports that they were subjected to violations, including punching on the face, kicking and hitting with tools, such as bats or bamboo "kendo" sticks, deprivation of water, suffocation, and skin with whistles or bats, sexual assault and harassment.
"For decades, children in Japan have been brutally beaten and verbally abused in the name of winning cups and medals," said Minky Warden, director of international initiatives at Human Rights Watch.
"As Japan prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in July 2021, global lights bring a rare opportunity to change laws and policies in Japan and around the world to protect millions of child athletes," she added.