Aomori Governor demands reform of national sports tournaments “There is no choice but to abolish the third round”: Tokyo Shimbun TOKYO Web

Aomori Prefecture Governor Soichiro Miyashita held a press conference on the 25th regarding the National Sports Festival (formerly the National Sports Festival), where a review of its format is being discussed, and stated that drastic reforms will be necessary in the third round of rotation between prefectures starting in 2035. He emphasized that. He said, “A review is inevitable, and abolishment is also inevitable.” Aomori has been chosen as the venue for 2026.

The reasons for this are the high cost of holding the event and the burden of staff allocation. He also cited the short preparation period and complained, “The tournament management is rigid. There is no room for flexibility.”

He said he would give his best to the prefectural tournament in 2026, but added, “I want to do what I can to reform and improve without waiting for the third round.”