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On Saturday, March 2, Seijo University’s Center for Glocal Studies and Media Network Center held a symposium titled “The Present and Future of Sport 2.0: VR Sports and Digital Stadia.” Technological progress has been dramatically changing sports, and this symposium explored how technology has been shaping the sports experiences. The speakers introduced Panasonic and NTT Docomo’s digital solutions and explained how these solutions are contributing to the present sports culture and how they will shape sports in the future. The gathering formed as a part of MEXT’s Research Branding Program for Private Universities. The speakers were Mr. Masatomo Nakayama (Panasonic System Solutions Japan Co., Ltd.) and Mr. Ken Mochizuki (NTT Docomo). Nakayama and Mochizuki’s presentations were followed by a panel discussion featuring Atsuhisa Yamamoto (Associate professor, Faculty of Social Innovation, Seijo University) and Ryuma Shineha (Associate professor, Faculty of Arts and Literature, Seijo University).

Mr. Masatomo Nakayama’s presentation was titled “Panasonic’s Vision of Next-Gen Sport Stadia.” Nakayama introduced examples of Panasonic’s digital solutions in Olympic and baseball stadia in Japan, demonstrating how audio and visual equipment can generate an event space. The examples also illustrated Panasonic’s efforts to help Japan’s professional-sports organizations maintain their financial viability, and its efforts to achieve its future vision of stadia. Mr. Ken Mochizuki’s presentation was titled “VR/AR and Sports.” Mochizuki discussed the potential effects of the launch of commercial 5G in 2020, particularly how the launch will enable new experiences through sports. He brought a smart-glasses device to demonstrate how the device can augment the experience of watching a rugby or volleyball match. The demonstration showcased the potential for new spectator experiences, including being able to check player and match statistics while watching the match. A demonstration area was prepared in a separate room, where, during the break, attendees could don a VR device and experience a virtual fencing duel with Olympic fencer Yuki Ota. For the panel discussion, Messrs. Nakayama and Mochizuki were joined by the two Associate Professors, Atsuhisa Yamamoto and Ryuma Shineha. The discussion focused on how digital technology is creating new sports experiences for both players and spectators. The panelists also discussed the future potential of technology in sports. In particular, they discussed how technology is broadening the conceptual scope of sports and offering new experiences to many more people, including those whose enjoyment of sports had been limited due to physical restrictions, and those who never had much interest in playing sports. Around 50 people attended the event, and there were full of animated questions and answers during the panel discussion. We thank all those who participated.