Athletes who speak out Why are there few in Japan?

Athlete who speaks out why there are few in Japan July 1st 17:29

Mohammed Ali, a world heavyweight boxing champion who once opposed the Vietnam War and refused to recruit. Tommy Smith and John Carlos push up their fists in protest against racism on the podium at the Mexican Olympics.
In the United States, athletes have long sent out their thoughts on politics and social issues in the United States. Then, in May 2020, a black man died in the United States when he was pressed by a white police officer. Many athletes are now protesting against racism with citizens.

NBA superstar LeBron James.
"Why does America not love us?"

NFL's Patrick Mahomes won MVP in the Super Bowl.
"The tragic events we have seen are wrong, no more repeatable."

American athletes voice as if it were their mission. Former Olympian representative from Japan, Dai Tamesue feels that changes in American society are also influencing.

Mr. Dai Tamesue
"This is an American player's word, but there is a player who wants to win and a player who wants to say something. There are two types of players and I want to be the latter." The society wants the latter player, and athletes are gradually changing to that consciousness, and they are beginning to ask what they want to appeal through the competition at an early stage. I'm sorry."

Why so few in Japan

On the other hand, Japan is still rare for athletes to communicate about politics and human rights issues.
Mr. Tamesue talked about the background based on his own experience.
During the active days, I had a conversation with a leader about the problem that free transfer of athletes was restricted in the long-distance field on land.

Mr. Dai Tamesue
"When I said that I should solve this problem more, I was told, "That is unrelated to the competition, so please retire." My coach told me that I should do something other than competition, so I grew up..."

"Don't be interested"

Furthermore, the Sochi Olympics six years ago. There was an event that Mr. Tamesue witnessed when he visited the site for coverage. Prior to the start of the competition, a law was enacted in Russia to restrict gay activity. Then there were demonstrations all over Europe calling for protection of gay rights.
As the tournament began and players were asked for their opinions on this issue, the Japanese players' response was noticed.

Mr. Dai Tamesue
"The Japanese players said, for example, that they should not ask any questions about it in advance, or even if they asked me that it had nothing to do with the competition. But, since the leader doesn't like to look at things other than the competition, that's why the players don't know about it in the first place, because they've been told they have no interest."

Why hesitate to call

The reason Japanese athletes hesitate to send is also because of the society receiving the voice.
That is pointed out by Yoichi Ochiai, an associate professor at the University of Tsukuba, who works as a media artist.

Associate professor Ochiai
“The voice that is often said in Japan is that it is bad for society that an influential person express such an opinion without any knowledge. It is halfway knowledge (opinion) If you plunge into it, you often see cases where it is attacked by more detailed people on SNS etc. Once you see such a phenomenon, it becomes easier to create a closed atmosphere where it is hard to say in Japan. I wonder if it will end up.''

Athletes who speak out

How can we create an environment that is easy to speak up?
In the United States, companies are starting to support vocal athletes.
Four years ago, the one who was in the whirlpool was NFL star Colin Capnic.

He protested against the discrimination against black people by police officers, which was still a problem at the time, and he struck one knee during the national anthem. His behavior was exposed to a lot of criticism as "insulting the country," and after the end of the season, he could not sign a contract with any team.

Meanwhile, two years ago, a major sports maker, Nike, appointed a panic player for advertising.
“Believe in something, even at the expense of everything,” a
major company has shown its attitude to resonate with the athlete's philosophy.

Associate professor Ochiai
"Because of being a sponsor or an external organization and having the same voices, even if a lot of replies are received, such as getting a protest message from the general public from somewhere on SNS, I think it is necessary to protect them.I think that from such a perspective, I can create a place where I can express my opinions with a sense of security, and I think it is important to follow the custom of becoming an industry or group that protects individuals. I wonder how it can be made.''

Japanese players speak overseas

Japanese players who are active in the United States, such as Major League player Shohei Otani, pitcher Darvish, and tennis player Naomi Osaka, also posted a solid black screen on the SNS to indicate their protest.

In June, in the demonstration held in Washington, the capital, there was also the appearance of Riki Yamura.
Now that Japanese athletes who are active overseas have begun to speak out, I have heard what domestic athletes want.

Mr. Dai Tamesue
"Before being an athlete, there is a great premise that you are a citizen and a citizen, and that premise is that you are an individual. Athlete does not have to fulfill its responsibility as a citizen, let alone have an individual. That doesn't mean that if the athletes can say their opinions about social issues, the atmosphere will change in the sense that the Japanese society as a whole can do such things, including children. I think that athletes should say their opinions with interest in social issues, especially because they are children's heroes.”

The actions and remarks of top athletes are politicians. Can be so influential that they can't even be bundled together.
There are things that can be seen and things that can be said because there are people who have made efforts to polish themselves against the world.
I think the society that values ​​the voices of athletes is much smarter than the society that keeps athletes focused on sports.