The international education esports organization NASEF JAPAN (Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations JAPAN) has announced the introduction of a Regular Membership System for corporations and organizations, coinciding with the milestone of its 5th anniversary on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
It is reportedly part of an initiative aiming for a Japanese nationwide organization to cultivate next-generation digital talent.
NASEF JAPAN, Organizer of the All Japan High School Esports Championship, Is Recruiting Corporate Regular Members!
NASEF JAPAN official websiteNASEF JAPAN has more than 650 member high schools nationwide in Japan, and provides esports promotion and programs that combine esports with educational settings.
In current Japan, the shortage of digital talent is becoming more prominent alongside the promotion of DX.
According to the Survey on Latest Trends and Future Estimates of IT Human Resources conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2016, it is predicted that there could be a maximum shortage of approximately 790,000 IT personnel by 2030.
In this situation, the importance of initiatives to cultivate next-generation digital talent across the entire society, including schools, companies, and regions, will be extremely large.
NASEF JAPAN is an organization that promotes digital education and inquiry-based learning with esports and games as an entry point, and works on next-generation digital talent development centered on high school students.
They are conducting educational support activities in collaboration with high schools nationwide in Japan through the holding of the NASEF JAPAN All Japan High School Esports Championship, which is an esports tournament for high school students, and the provision of educational materials.
The Regular Membership System started this time is said to be a new mechanism for greatly expanding these activities to various parts of the country.
They are recruiting corporations and organizations that can become regular members by agreeing with the philosophy of NASEF JAPAN.
Endorsement Comments From Regular Member Companies
Kensuke Ozaki, the president and CEO of THIRDWAVE CORPORATION
Thirdwave has sympathized with the philosophy of NASEF JAPAN since its inception and has supported its activities through special sponsorship of the "All Japan High School Esports Championship" and other means.
In addition, while nurturing esports as a new culture in Japan, we have promoted regional revitalization throughout Japan through the Corporate Version of Hometown Tax Donation.
Moving forward, together with all regular members who share the same aspirations, we will contribute to the development of next-generation talent through esports.
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Motoharu Harada, the president and CEO of NTTe-Sports
NTTe-Sports heartily welcomes the start of the regular membership system by NASEF JAPAN.
In the future, we are confident that it will be supported by even more companies that share the same thoughts, and that the cultivation of next-generation digital talent with esports/games as an entry point will accelerate.
Previously, our company collaborated on projects such as the All Japan High School Esports Championship and the NTTe-Sports High School, but we will further strengthen our partnership in the future to expand the future possibilities of young people and push forward the resolution of social issues.
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Kenji Kasahara, the president and CEO of Logicool Co Ltd. (Logitech in Japan)
We deeply agree with the philosophy of NASEF JAPAN, which brings innovation to next-generation development through esports, and we are sincerely honored to join.
We are confident that our company's cutting-edge gaming gear, which expands esports devices globally, will serve as a foundation for cultivating logical thinking and teamwork among all students.
We are determined to expand the possibilities of educational settings through gaming devices and, together, nurture talent who will leap forward in the digital society.
We look forward to co-creation with everyone.
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Keita Nakanishi, the president and CEO of DRIMAGE JAPAN
To support the activities of NASEF JAPAN and help sensitive students nurture the value of cooperation and advanced communication skills through games, we have participated as a regular member this time.
In the future, we will provide Archelon, which our company develops, as a platform for next-generation communication learning and cultivating strategic thinking, and we will challenge the creation of new value for esports in educational settings together with our partners.
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
Jo Tachiba, the Vice General Manager of Regional Revitalization Business Regional Strategy Promotion Department and Senior Manager of Regional Revitalization Research Office, Commerce & Marketing Company, Rakuten Group, Inc.
We believe that empowerment through esports, which NASEF JAPAN lists as its philosophy, has points in common with Rakuten's mission to "empower people and society through innovation."
The potential of esports, which creates bonds from play transcending attributes and distance, is the very "connection between people, companies, and regions" that Rakuten emphasizes in regional revitalization.
As a regular member, we will utilize Rakuten's knowledge and expertise in regional revitalization to contribute to improving children's digital literacy, next-generation talent development, and new business creation.
(Translated from Japanese)
PR TIMES
About the NASEF JAPAN Regular Membership System
NASEF JAPAN official websiteRegular members of NASEF JAPAN are composed of corporations and organizations that agree with the philosophy of performing next-generation human resource development through esports and promote activities together.
Corporations and organizations that have become regular members participate in educational support activities and business development, aiming for next-generation talent development with esports as an entry point and the promotion of regional revitalization through collaboration with schools, companies, and regions nationwide in Japan.
In addition, NASEF JAPAN reportedly works on creating opportunities for corporations, organizations, children, pupils, students, and educational institutions to connect with each other through educational programs, events, and various projects.
Corporations and organizations suitable for joining include those who:
- Are interested in esports but do not know how to collaborate with their own business
- Want to expand their network with corporations and organizations performing esports business
- Want to be involved in high school esports events and tournaments
- Have an interest in "esports x digital education" but lack teaching materials or expertise
- Want to utilize esports and games to lead to the revitalization of their local area
Currently, IT, telecommunications, game, and esports-related corporations and organizations are reportedly joining one after another.
Corporations and organizations interested in activities that solve the problem of digital talent shortage accompanying the declining birthrate and aging population, and contribute to a better future for Japan, should check out NASEF JAPAN.
For other information on how to join and details, please see the NASEF JAPAN official website.
