About

The Master’s program aims to educate and train personnel who will contribute to the world using their knowledge and skills in sport, physical education and health. The 21st century has seen repeated ethnic, religious and political unrest as well as natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions that led to human suffering, large scale migration, and an increased number of persons living in refugee camps. The need to deal with these issues using the knowledge of health, sport, and physical education is critically important. The fun of learning during physical activity and play exposes children to the joy of life, teaches human rights and equality for both men and women, and provides hope for life. Japan’s physical education and health education are the foundation of an active and healthy life, and disseminating pedagogically trained instructors and its systems to countries in need is one of the important contributions this program makes to the world. Over the past 10 years, our graduates have joined NGO/NPO organizations, private companies, or become university faculty via the acquisition of a PhD. We hope that our students will learn International Development and Peace through Sport (IDS), obtain practical skills, and actively contribute to the global society.

Satoshi SHIMIZU, Ph.D.
Chairperson, Master’s Program in International Development and Peace through Sport
Professor, University of Tsukuba

This joint degree program is an innovative initiative that explores how sports can contribute to societal development from multiple perspectives. It provides a platform for both academic learning and practical application.

This program not only deepens expertise in sports and international development but also fosters the ability to scientifically analyze challenges, evaluate solutions, and drive meaningful change. We aim to develop professionals who can make a lasting impact on the global stage.

Furthermore, we are committed to advancing education and research, contributing to the ongoing evolution of sports science. Together with our students, graduates, and faculty, we strive to pioneer new possibilities in the field of International Development and Peace through Sport.

Chair, the Joint Master’s Program in International Development and Peace through Sport,
Dr. Tomoaki Seki, National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya

The Japan Sport Council (JSC) collaborates with the University of Tsukuba and the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya in launching the joint master’s program in International Development and Peace through Sport which develops human recourses to promote international exchange and contribution through sport.

The article 2 of the basic act on sports which was enforced in 2011 states that promoting international exchange and contribution in sport is one of the basic principles, and article 19 stipulates to take appropriate measures to those. In addition, the sport basic plan developed the next year also specifies advancing personnel and material international exchange and contribution in sport. Under this circumstances, the University of Tsukuba and the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, national universities in physical education and sport, play an important role in implementing sport policy of our country, and the joint master’s program in collaboration between the JSC and two universities is highly anticipated.

Sport greatly contributes to issues in the diverse and complex international community, and the United Nations and sport sector have been actively promoting peacebuilding and development assistance in developing countries through sport. In order to further these initiatives, it is desired to have personnel with a competency to comprehend global issues broadly and scientifically, practical skills to contribute to the global society and research capacity. The joint master’s program will certainly cope with the expectation of the international community in nurturing human recourses, and this program is placed as an important initiative to fulfill our role in the world.

As an only independent administrative institution in sport in Japan, the JSC　strives to achieve sport nation. We have dispatched an officer to the United Nations Office on Sport for Development and Peace and have been engaging in building international partnerships and developing resources in sport. We hope that these opportunities will be effectively utilized in the joint master’s program.

President, Japan Sport Council
 Satoshi Ashidate