The Japan Sport Council has announced the launch of a specialized research facility, the HPSC Esports Lab, located at the Ajinomoto National Training Center. The project is designed to bring sports medicine and data analysis to boost the competitiveness of Japanese professional players on the international stage. The facility will operate in close integration with the National Institute of Sports Sciences.
The infrastructure is divided into three specialized zones:
- Esports Zone: conducting research and providing analytical support in conventional esports disciplines.
- Virtual Sports Zone: sensor-based capture of athletes' real physical movements and translating them into a digital competitive environment.
- Wellbeing Zone: studying and ensuring the physical, mental, and social health of esports athletes.
Among the key factors behind creating the center, the Japan Sport Council highlights the growing attention toward esports from the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations, as well as the active application of sports science in training processes. In addition, Japan is currently revising its national sports policy, the current draft of which officially provides state support for athletes who utilize digital technologies.
The launch of the HPSC Esports Lab aligns with the global trend of expanding esports scientific infrastructure, which was previously dominated by corporate initiatives (including Logitech's €2.5M investment in research with the Lero center, as well as laboratories from G2 Esports and Philips). Direct affiliation with the JISS institute and government backing provide the project with longevity and access to scientific resources that remain unavailable to most private organizations.
Historically, Japanese esports players have fallen short of results achieved by representatives from North America, Europe, and South Korea due to a lack of systematic training. Building a national research foundation is set to provide the country with the necessary infrastructural advantage to systematically nurture competitive next-generation athletes.
As a reminder, FIFA is launching the FIFAe Storytelling Fund grant program for eFootball and Rocket League communities.