Japan may be losing future generations of judo practitioners as burned-out kids drop out in droves

In March 2022, the All Japan Judo Federation cancelled its prestigious nationwide tournament for children aged 10-12, saying that youngsters are being pushed "too hard" in training. The move highlights the steep decline in the number of young participants of the Japanese home-grown martial art. Insiders say kids are being driven away by the sport’s “brutal win-at-all costs” mentality, corporal punishment and pressure to lose weight.