Nippon Badminton Association

Nippon Badminton Association (NBA, 日本バドミントン協会; Nippon Badominton Kyōkai) is the national governing body for the sport of badminton in Japan.

Nippon Badminton Association

Formation	1946
Type	National Sport Association
Headquarters	Tokyo, Japan[1]
President	Mitsuru Murai[1]
Affiliations	BAC, BWF
Website	badminton.or.jp

History

Badminton competition in Japan started as early as 1919 from YMCA across major cities in Japan. The Nippon Badminton Association is formed in 1946 and the association later joined International Badminton Federation in 1952.^[2]

Presidents

The following is a list of individuals who have held the position of president or managing director of the Nippon Badminton Association. On 1 April 1957, when the association obtained corporate status, the title of president was changed to managing director.^[3] The Honorary President is Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.^[4]

Presidency	President	Took office	Left office	Ref
1	Genzaburou Shirayama	1947	30 April 1948	[3]
2	Fumio Yamada	1 May 1948	27 October 1956
3	Hirotoshi Honda	28 October 1956	18 October 1981
4	Yoshio Sakurauchi	1 November 1981	5 September 2003
5	Tamisuke Watanuki	6 September 2003	9 June 2019
6	Yoshio Sekine	9 June 2019	30 November 2022
7	Shinichi Nakamura	30 November 2022	17 June 2023	[5]
8	Mitsuru Murai	18 June 2023	Present	[6]

National teams

Further information: Japan national badminton team

Controversies

Administrative mismanagement of the association

Osaka International cancellation (2016)

The 2016 Osaka International tournament was canceled because the Nippon Badminton Association (NBA) missed the application deadline set by the Badminton World Federation (BWF).^[7] The BWF had informed the NBA in October 2014 that the deadline was changed from August to April, but a staff member overlooked this notification. Consequently, the NBA submitted its application in August 2015, which was four months after the deadline, resulting in its rejection.^[8] Kinji Zeniya, the NBA's executive director, issued an apology, acknowledging the disappointment of fans and those involved in the tournament preparations. Zeniya also stated that the NBA planned to reapply to host the tournament the following year.^[9]

Registration error prevents mixed doubles pair from competing in Japan Open (2022)

The NBA apologized for a registration error that prevented the mixed doubles pair of Hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saito from competing in the 2022 Japan Open.^[10] The NBA mistakenly registered Natsu Saito as her sister, Shiori Saito. This error was discovered after the entry deadline, which made it impossible for the pair to participate in the tournament.^[11] The NBA has taken responsibility for the mistake and is committed to preventing future occurrences. To address this, the NBA plans to review and strengthen its entry check procedures for international tournaments to ensure the accuracy of future entries and prevent a recurrence of this issue.^[12]

Aya Ohori misses Canada Open due to incomplete entry permit (2023)

On 4 July 2023,The NBA issued an apology for an administrative error that prevented women's singles player Aya Ohori from participating in the 2023 Canada Open. The tournament was a key event in the qualifying process for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Ohori was the second-highest ranked Japanese player, and her absence could impact her Olympic qualification chances. The association admitted to a "deficiency on the association's side in the submission of documents related to the entry application" for Ohori. While the NBA is exploring sending Ohori to other tournaments to compensate for the missed opportunity, the impact on her Olympic qualification remains a significant concern.^[13]

On 7 July 2023, in Tokyo, NBA President Mitsuru Murai explained that Aya Ohori could not compete in the Canada Open because the association failed to properly submit her entry permit application. The NBA acknowledged that its staff did not correctly submit the necessary documents for Ohori’s Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which is required to enter Canada. The NBA discovered the problem on 30 June 2023, just one day before Ohori was scheduled to travel. Despite efforts to correct the situation, Ohori was unable to obtain the necessary entry permit in time to participate.^[14]

Igarashi and Sakuramoto miss European World Tour due to registration errors (2024)

Following her bronze medal win in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics, Arisa Igarashi formed a new women's doubles pair with Ayako Sakuramoto. Igarashi announced on the 13 September 2024 that she and her women's doubles partner were unable to participate in the 2024 Denmark Open due to a registration error by the NBA.^[15] Igarashi revealed this information at a press conference after receiving the Iwamizawa City Sports Honor Award in her hometown of Iwamizawa City. She conveyed her frustration, stating, "I have repeatedly asked to prevent this from happening again".^[16] She was notified of the Association's registration error while participating in the All Japan Members Championships. Igarashi described her first women's doubles match with Sakuramoto as challenging, stating, "There were some difficult parts to the match because I was angry and had a lot of other feelings". Although she and Sakuramoto finished as runners-up, Igarashi admitted that the error negatively affected her performance.^[17]

Igarashi was originally scheduled to participate in the 2024 Arctic Open in Finland, commencing on 8 October 2024, followed by the 2024 Denmark Open the subsequent week.^[18] However, she explained that while her entry to the Arctic Open was successful, a registration error by the NBA prevented her participation in the Denmark Open. Consequently, her trip was canceled, delaying her first international tournament appearance of the season with Sakuramoto.^[19]

Following Igarashi's expression of frustration, the NBA publicly acknowledged the entry error. The association confirmed that Igarashi and Sakuramoto's names were absent from the official entry list released on 6 September 2024.^[20] This discovery prompted an internal investigation, which revealed a mistake in the association's application process. Subsequently, the association issued a written statement, offering a "deep apology for the great inconvenience" resulting from their error. The association has also stated they are in discussions to send the pair to an alternative tournament.^[21]

Tonami players unable to compete in Bendigo International due to entry errors (2024)

On 30 September 2024, Kyodo News reported that the NBA had made multiple entry errors for athletes competing in international tournaments, which prevented three male players from participating in the Bendigo International.^[22] The NBA failed to properly enter men's singles player Shun Saito and the men's doubles pair of Yoshifumi Fujisawa and Shuntaro Mezaki, all of whom are from the Tonami Transportation team. The association only became aware of the error after the Tonami team notified them approximately two weeks prior to the article's publication.^[23]

On 1 October 2024, the NBA held a press conference in Tokyo regarding the issue, admitting to multiple entry errors for international tournaments that resulted in missed opportunities for Japanese athletes. These errors occurred because the entry staff forgot to include the players on the entry list despite receiving notification from the team.^[24] NBA President Mitsuru Murai apologized for the series of entry errors, expressed disappointment, and took responsibility for the repeated mistakes, calling the organization's structure "sloppy".^[25] He also stated his intention to implement changes to prevent future occurrences.^[26]

The Corruption Scandal

Financial misconduct at the Nippon Badminton Association

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) called a full investigation of the NBA after it was discovered that a former employee embezzled approximately 6.8 million yen during the 2018 fiscal year. The JOC was concerned that the NBA concealed the embezzlement from the public and that its executives used personal funds to cover the losses.^[27]

On 25 March 2022, NBA Executive Director Kinji Zeniya held a press conference in Tokyo to discuss the non-disclosure of the embezzlement by a former employee. The embezzlement took place over a six-month period, ending in March 2019. The misappropriated funds totaled approximately 6.8 million yen and included fees collected from national team training camps (10,000 yen per player) and prize money from international competitions. Instead of depositing the money into the NBA's account, the employee used it for personal purposes.^[28]

The NBA did not immediately announce this incident, but discussed it internally during a board meeting in late November 2019. To cover the financial shortfall, the board members and auditors loaned the misappropriated amount to the former employee. The NBA decided not to disclose this information earlier to protect the former employee and the athletes. They cited concerns about the impact on the athletes and members, the former employee's social standing, and human rights considerations as reasons for withholding the information. As a result of the incident, the executive director and the secretary general received pay reductions for their management oversight.^[29]

The NBA also revealed a separate incident involving the misinterpretation of a government grant. This incident involved a Japan-Korea high school exchange program conducted in November 2019, which was a government-funded project. The former secretary general, who was responsible for the grant, misinterpreted the requirements, resulting in the NBA receiving approximately 230,000 yen in government subsidies that it was not entitled to. The NBA is currently waiting for instructions from the JOC regarding the final settlement process for this matter.^[30]

The NBA only became aware of both incidents after receiving an investigation request from the JOC in late October 2021. Following this, the NBA formed a third-party investigation committee, including external lawyers, and submitted an investigation report to the JOC in late November.^[31]

Prime Minister's Cup withheld due to scandal at All Japan Championships

The NBA faced a significant scandal involving embezzlement and a subsequent cover-up, which led to the Prime Minister's Cup and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Cup not being awarded at the 2022 All Japan Championships.^[32] This decision resulted from the government's dissatisfaction with the NBA's insufficient response to the scandal and slow implementation of preventive measures. Consequently, the tournament's name was altered to remove references to these awards.^[33] Additionally, the Japan Sports Agency [ja] (JSA), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Association withdrew their sponsorship of the championships due to the NBA's poor handling of the scandals.^[34]

The Prime Minister's Cup is typically awarded at many sporting events, requiring sports organizations to submit applications to the JSA at least two months before a tournament. However, the NBA submitted its application for the All Japan Championships only about a month prior to the event. While the late application contributed to the denial, the primary reason for the denial was the NBA's mishandling of the scandals.^[35]

The Prime Minister's Cup was designated for the winners of the men's and women's singles tournaments, and The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Cup for the winning men's, women's and mixed doubles pairs.^[36] The absence of these trophies, which are traditionally symbolic of victory, prompted disappointment from players like Kento Momota, who said, "This is like a proof of victory... It's sad".^[37]

This decision has sparked criticism online, with many expressing sympathy for the winning athletes who were not involved in the scandal but will not receive the awards. The NBA's new leadership is still temporary, which is hampering efforts to resolve the situation and obtain the awards. Public sentiment underscores the unfairness of punishing the athletes for the association's misconduct.^[38]

Japan Olympic Committee Sanctions Nippon Badminton Association for Financial Misconduct

...

The Financial Crisis

Discontinuation of Osaka International

The NBA announced on 27 October 2023, that the Osaka International will not be held in 2024 and has been discontinued.^[39] The tournament, which had been overseen by the Osaka Prefectural Badminton Association since 2007, was sanctioned by the BWF and hosted by the NBA. This decision was made after discussions with tournament stakeholders, and the Badminton Asia and the BWF were notified.^[40]

The NBA's current re-evaluation of its overall business structure led to the decision to end the tournament. The Osaka IC received significantly more funding than other tournaments.^[39] When the NBA proposed to the Osaka Prefectural Badminton Association that future funding be adjusted to align with other events, the Osaka Prefectural Badminton Association responded that they would relinquish hosting the tournament because it would be difficult to continue.^[40]

The Osaka IC has been a significant event for many years, playing a crucial role in developing the skills of players and garnering support from badminton fans. It served as a popular stepping stone for young talent, providing a platform for rising young players worldwide and Japan's B national team players.^[39] The decision to end the tournament is deeply regrettable.^[40]

Tournaments

International

• Japan Open Super 750, an annual open tournament that attracts the world's elite players and currently part of BWF World Tour.
• Japan Masters Super 500, new tournament held since 2023 and part of BWF World Tour.
• Osaka International, an annual tournament held in Osaka since 2007. (Discontinued)

Domestic

• All Japan Badminton Championships
• All Japan Members Badminton Championships
• Japan Ranking Circuit Tournament

References

1. "Membership". Badminton World Federation. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
2. "バドミントンの歴史". Nippon Badminton Association. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
3. "Badminton Japan 75th Anniversary Book" (PDF) (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
4. "[Badminton] Crown Princess Hisako appointed as Honorary President. President Mitsuru Murai: "This is a great honor... I couldn't be happier"" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 1 November 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
5. "[Badminton] "In the end it's a puppet government" - Extraordinary Council members to reconvene to demand dismissal of directors, mistrust in announcement of new association structure". Nikkan Sports. 30 November 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
6. "The new president of the Badminton Association, Mitsuru Murai, was appointed. New board members were also elected. "A line-up that we believe will change the sport in Japan" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 18 June 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
7. "International Badminton Tournament Cancelled Due to Application Error" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 24 May 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
8. "Badminton Association misses deadline, international tournament cannot be held due to application error" (in Japanese). Daily Sports. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
9. "International tournament unable to be held due to application error Nippon Badminton Association" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 24 February 2016. Archived from the original on 26 February 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
10. "[Badminton] Association apologizes for entry mistake after player mistook younger sister for older sister and missed out on Japan Open" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
11. "Nippon Badminton Association apologizes after younger sister was mistaken for older sister and missed out on international tournament". The Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023.
12. "Nippon Badminton Association blunder, mistakenly enters younger sister for older sister, Japanese pair unable to enter Japan Open mixed doubles competition" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
13. "Nippon Badminton Association apologizes for Aya Ohori's absence due to incomplete entry application, "We apologize for the concern and inconvenience" as it undergoes organizational reform under new structure" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 4 July 2023. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
14. "Nippon Badminton Association Scandals Continue as Tours Cancelled Due to Incomplete Applications, New President Mitsuru Murai Says "Athletes' Lives are at Stake"". Nikkan Sports. 7 July 2023. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
15. "[Badminton] Arisa Igarashi reveals that she and Ayako Sakuramoto will miss two international matches in October due to an entry error by the Nippon Badminton Association" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
16. "[Badminton] "I've said it many times," says Arisa Igarashi angrily as the association's application is incomplete for the third year in a row" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 14 September 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
17. "Badminton Association makes another entry mistake. Arisa Igarashi "I've said it many times" and will not be able to participate in an international tournament as a pair with Ayako Sakuramoto in the women's doubles" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
18. "Badminton player Arisa Igarashi: "I felt anger and all sorts of things" "I hope it won't happen again" Nippon Badminton Association's procedural error prevents her from participating in international tournaments". Sports Hochi. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
19. "Badminton pair Higashino unable to participate in international tournament due to association registration error, another blunder "I have said this many times..."" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 14 September 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
20. "Badminton: Arisa Higashino and Ayako Sakuramoto to miss international tournament due to association mistake" (in Japanese). NHK. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
21. "Badminton pair Igarashi and Sakuramoto miss out on October tournament due to association procedural error" (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2025.
22. "Nippon Badminton Association made entry mistake in international tournament" (in Japanese). Kyodo News. 30 September 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
23. "Nippon Badminton Association: Another registration error in entry procedures for international tournaments" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
24. "Nippon Badminton Association misses entry again, unable to participate in international tournament" (in Japanese). NHK. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
25. "The Nippon Badminton Association, which has been plagued by mistakes in player entries, is in a state where "human error has been left unchecked" and an average of 1.4 people are involved in the registration process" (in Japanese). 2 October 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
26. "[Badminton] Japan Badminton Association: "Very Shameful" - Two International Tournament Entry Failures in September Alone". Nikkan Sports. 1 October 2024. Archived from the original on 31 January 2025. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
27. "Badminton Association fails to disclose 6.8 million yen embezzlement by former employee... Executives cover the deficit with their own money" (in Japanese). Yomiuri Shimbun. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
28. "Badminton Association reveals that embezzlement case was "concealed" for three years under the guise of the Tokyo Olympics" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
29. "Nippon Badminton Association: Financial misconduct discovered after former employee misappropriates 6.8 million yen for personal use - decision not to make public due to "human rights considerations"" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
30. "[Domestic News] Japan Association reveals misappropriation of public funds by former employee in 2018" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
31. "Former Badminton Association employee misappropriates 6.8 million yen for personal use, does not disclose for about three years, "considering the impact on the Olympics"" (in Japanese). Sports Hochi. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2025.
32. "Prime Minister's Cup not awarded due to scandal at All Japan Badminton Championships" (in Japanese). Daily Sports. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
33. "Prime Minister's Cup not awarded due to scandal at All Japan Badminton Championships" (in Japanese). Sankei Shimbun. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
34. "[Badminton] Japan Sports Agency and other organizations withdraw sponsorship from All Japan Badminton Championships due to embezzlement and other scandals" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
35. "[Badminton] Scandal handled inadequately: Winner of All Japan Championship not awarded Prime Minister's Cup" (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 13 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
36. "Prime Minister's Cup not awarded at All Japan Badminton Championships" (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
37. "Kento Momota "sad" - No Prime Minister's Cup due to the scandal of the Japan Badminton Association - All Japan Championships" (in Japanese). Daily Sports. 26 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
38. "Internet users say "I feel sorry for the winner" and "It's not fair for the current cabinet to give the Prime Minister's Cup to the All Japan Badminton Championships"" (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
39. "[Tournament Information] Osaka International Challenge, a gateway for young athletes, comes to an end" (in Japanese). Badminton Spirit. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
40. "Press release regarding the tournament hosted by our association" (PDF) (in Japanese). Nippon Badminton Association. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2025.