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Yomiuri Shimbun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan Games Organizers Propose Major Reforms;Demography, Infrastructure Challenge Sports Festival
Yomiuri Shimbun file photo The Japan Sport Association's expert panel, which compiled reform proposals for the Japan Games, meets on March 10. The Japan Sport Association (JSPO) convened an expert panel to discuss the future of the Japan Games, the country's largest sports event, and to compile a set of proposals aimed at ensuring its long-term sustainability. These proposals advocate structural reforms to enhance the event's national profile and prioritize the revitalization of host cities, with a newly formed organization overseen by the JSPO at the heart of these efforts. A key feature of the proposals is the strong recommendation that the JSPO recognize the discretion of local governments. The proposals seek to enable flexible operations and cost reductions tailored to the circumstances of host cities, with options including: (1) relaxing standards for sports facilities to reduce construction costs, (2) spreading out the timing of events by sport to make it easier for top athletes to participate, (3) allowing multiple prefectures to host events (with some sports considering permanent venues), (4) simplifying opening and closing ceremonies, including the possibility of using indoor venues, and (5) reviewing the number of participants and events in consideration of the host municipalities' preferences. All of these measures aim to reduce the burden on host municipalities. The proposals also urge the establishment of a new organization to oversee the operation of the Games, with the aim of passing on operational expertise. The Japan Games began in 1946 as a prefectural team event and have grown into a large-scale annual event, with approximately 27,000 participants competing in 40 sports during the autumn and winter events. The autumn main event rotates among prefectures, with the 2034 Okinawa event to mark the end of the second cycle. The Japan Games, which began immediately after the war, have improved athletic ability and sports facilities in each region. They have also developed social infrastructure and revitalized local economies by spurring infrastructure development. However, from the start of the second cycle, the large sports facilities needed to meet the capacity requirements for each event began to face issues such as the need for renovation due to ageing or even the necessity of new construction. Following the collapse of the bubble economy in the 1990s, host cities began to voice concerns about the financial and operational burdens associated with hosting the event. In response to calls for reform from the National Governors' Association (NGA), the JSPO formulated a reform plan in 2003 centered on simplifying operations. In 2006, the summer and autumn games were merged into a single event, and in 2008, the number of participants was reduced by 15%. Nevertheless, even after these reforms, the burden of hosting the Japan Games remained too great for some local governments. The NGA became increasingly frustrated with this situation. In April 2024, the association's chairman, Miyagi Gov. Yoshihiro Murai, stated regarding the Japan Games: 'Abolition is one option. We need to pause and consider whether the current approach is appropriate. Should we stop having all prefectures take turns to host all events in one location once a year?' In response to this harsh critique, which went so far as to mention abolishing the Games or reviewing their annual schedule, the JSPO set up an expert panel to consider the future of the Games. From September last year, members selected from among local government officials, sports governing bodies, athletes, media representatives and the business community held three meetings and compiled the latest proposals. Among the proposals' key points is the decentralization of the event schedule. Currently, the winter games are held within a five-day period from December to the end of February, and the main games are held within an 11-day period from mid-September to mid-October, as stipulated in the hosting criteria guidelines. The reason for concentrating the Games within a certain period was to generate interest in the host city and create a festive atmosphere. However, problems arose, such as top athletes prioritizing other competitions held at the same time, and the concentration of events placing significant strain on accommodation and transport. Decentralizing the event schedule (year-round hosting) would make it easier for top athletes to participate and even out demand for accommodation and transportation. As a result, greater attendance and economic benefits are expected. Additionally, multiple sports events could be held at the same facility at different times, which would help avoid the need for new construction. Regarding the host locations, bold proposals were made. Where hosting in a single prefecture is difficult, suggested solutions included hosting in multiple prefectures to reduce the burden on individual host locations or fixing the host location for certain sports. A fixed venue could become 'sanctified,' as Koshien Stadium is for high school baseball, which is expected to enhance the event's appeal to spectators. In response to these proposals, Murai issued a statement saying: 'The proposals take into account the opinions of the National Governors' Association and are commendable. We sincerely hope that discussions and deliberations with the NGA will continue in good faith.' Nagano Gov. Shuichi Abe, who attended the meeting of experts on behalf of the NGA, stated, 'We appreciate that our concerns were discussed with many people.' Regarding the JSPO's contribution to operational costs, he added: 'No specific direction has been indicated. We will continue to discuss this with great interest in the future.' He expressed optimism about the development of the discussions. The philosophy of the Japan Games is set forth in a document titled 'A virtuous cycle between top athletes and local sports: Creating a future for people and communities.' Part of the text says: 'The Games are a national festival in which everyone involved in sports, whether participating, watching or supporting, plays a leading role, contributing to the development of people and communities in Japan and helping to solve social issues.' In the past, the Japan Games contributed to infrastructure development across the country. However, declining birth rates, an ageing population and strained local finances mean it is now more important than ever that the Japan Games continue its efforts to develop human resources, contribute to local communities and implement structural reforms that address social issues through sport. The JSPO, which is now beginning to implement its reform plans, has a heavy responsibility. Political Pulse appears every Saturday. Yuji Kondo Yuji Kondo is a senior writer in the Sports Department of The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Mystery of influencer shot dead on livestream deepens
Glamorous young influencer Valeria Márquez's life was taken while she was going live on a TikTok live stream, leaving followers horrified. Questions surrounding her tragic death continue to linger Valeria Márquez was just 23 years old - a rising influencer with a love for makeup, fashion and travelling. She updated her followers through livestreams, letting them into her world. On this day, she was smiling on live, excited for a courier to bring her a gift. She'd joked about it. Speculated. But beneath the laughs, it was clear: something felt off. Still, no one could've imagined what would happen next. It was then that Valeria was gunned down in cold blood - live on camera. Valeria was known for her glamorous lifestyle, having carved out a name for herself on social media. Still only in her early twenties, she already owned her own salon while chasing bigger dreams through a ring light. She was right on the cusp of something greater. She often shared photos on Instagram aboard private jets and yachts. At the time of her death, she had more than 223,000 followers on Instagram and another 100,000 on TikTok. But just like that, her dreams were stolen from her. Everything changed on May 13, 2025. She was livestreaming from her beauty salon in Zapopan, a town in the central-eastern state of Jalisco. She was waiting for a gift to arrive, but she'd already mentioned feeling uneasy. Her friend couldn't see the courier's face when he showed up. It was believed to be concealed. She voiced her fear: 'Why didn't he just drop it off? Maybe they were going to kill me. Were they going to come and take me away, or what?' She was holding another gift - a pink stuffed animal when the delivery driver asked for her by name. It left a lingering doubt in her head. However, hours before, a man had posed as a delivery driver, claiming to have a 'very expensive' gift for her. Valeria looked away from the camera. Then she grabbed her chest and stomach before collapsing. A gunman had burst into her salon and shot her dead - all while the livestream continued. Another woman took her phone and ended the stream. The chilling footage was screen recorded and has since circulated online, showing Valeria laughing and chatting before a bullet silenced everything. Her life ended on screen, leaving her followers — and the world in shock. Mexican authorities later confirmed Valeria had no links to criminal activity, sparking deeper questions about the motive and whether she was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. But while many questions linger, some things have become clearer. The shooter didn't know her personally - he had to confirm who she was before pulling the trigger. Denis Rodríguez, a spokesperson for the JSPO, said, 'It appears he didn't know her. With that, you can deduce - without jumping to conclusions - that this was a person who was paid… obviously someone who came with a purpose.' The salon's location adds even more weight to the theory. Despite the private security and clean appearance, it's in one of the most violent areas of Jalisco, a state heavily affected by cartel activity. In fact, just 50km away, a cartel training centre was found in March. And in Jalisco alone, more than 15,000 people have disappeared since 2018. The same day Valeria was killed, former congressman Luis Armando Córdoba Díaz was murdered just two kilometres away, according to the newspaper Reforma. Authorities are investigating whether the two deaths are connected. Some media outlets have shared messages suggesting Valeria previously blamed her ex and feared for her safety. But Juan José Frangie, the mayor, claimed there were no official reports from her about threats. 'A femicide is the worst thing,' he added. While the speculation continues, there are questions that still need answers. Why was she targeted? Who could do such a thing? Valeria Márquez died with her smile still on screen, gunned down in her own salon, in the middle of doing what she loved - chasing a future that was so close to being hers. She should've gone viral for anything else but not for her murder.
