As Tokyo prepares to host the inaugural Olympic 3x3 basketball, freestyle BMX and skateboarding events, youth-focused "street sports" are breaking new ground in Japan, providing unexpected benefits and opportunities in some unlikely places.
While the X Games and the French Festival International des Sports Extremes (FISE) began showcasing extreme and street sports worldwide in the mid-1990s, tennis, team sports and traditional disciplines like wrestling, gymnastics and swimming remain the most popular Olympic sports in Japan.
But alongside the inclusion of next-generation sports on the 2020 Olympic program, more and more "urban" competitions are being held nationwide, revealing growing interest in activities generally considered the domain of young people and providing new opportunities for Japan's athletes.