Miyazaki’s New Sports Hub Hosts Asahi Kasei Judo Clinic Amid Facility Expansion

On April 20, 2026, athletes and coaches gathered at Miyazaki Prefecture’s newly completed sports complex in Nobeoka City for a special judo clinic led by the Asahi Kasei Judo Team. The event marked the official opening of the main arena at Athletes’ Town Nobeoka Arena, a facility built to support regional athletic development and prepare for upcoming national competitions.

The clinic took place in the sub-arena of the Athletes’ Town Nobeoka Arena complex, where participants received direct instruction from elite judokas affiliated with the corporate-sponsored Asahi Kasei team. This initiative highlighted the venue’s role as a community sports hub, combining elite athlete engagement with public accessibility shortly after its operational launch.

According to facility records, the main arena of Athletes’ Town Nobeoka Arena began operations on April 18, 2026, featuring approximately 2,950 square meters of floor space capable of accommodating three basketball courts. The venue includes seating for approximately 4,000 spectators across two levels and represents a significant investment in regional sports infrastructure, with total development costs reaching approximately 12.2 billion yen when including the previously opened sub-arena.

The completion of the main arena finalizes Miyazaki Prefecture’s trio of major sports facilities developed in support of the 2027 National Sports Festival and National Disability Sports Festival. This complex now joins the previously operational Kuroki Stadium in Miyakonojo City for track and field events and the Persol Aqua Park Miyazaki swimming facility in Miyazaki City, creating a coordinated network of venues designed to host elite competitions and training activities.

The Asahi Kasei Judo Team, based in Nobeoka City since its establishment in 1948, has maintained a strong presence in Japanese judo, with historical achievements including an Olympic gold medal in the open weight class at the 1976 Montreal Games by team member Haruki Uemura. The squad continues to compete nationally and internationally, regularly participating in events such as the Grand Slam series and All-Japan Championships.

Local officials and venue representatives emphasized the clinic’s dual purpose: providing high-quality instruction to participating athletes while showcasing the new facility’s capabilities to the broader community. The event was positioned as both a celebration of the venue’s completion and an opportunity to promote judo accessibility across skill levels.

As Miyazaki Prefecture continues to develop its sports infrastructure in anticipation of the 2027 national festivals, facilities like Athletes’ Town Nobeoka Arena are expected to play a central role in hosting competitions, training camps, and community engagement initiatives. The venue’s completion represents a milestone in regional efforts to enhance athletic opportunities and support athlete development across multiple disciplines.

The next major event scheduled at the Athletes’ Town Nobeoka Arena is the All-Japan Corporate Judo Team Championships, planned for June 13–14, 2026, as indicated in the Asahi Kasei Judo Team’s published competition schedule.

For ongoing updates on facility operations, event schedules, and community programs at Miyazaki Prefecture’s sports venues, interested parties are encouraged to consult official prefectural announcements and venue management communications.