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From 16–18 June 2025, Tokyo stood at the forefront of a transformative moment in elite sport. The Japan High Performance Sport Center (HPSC) hosted the inaugural meeting of the International Expert Group on Psychology & Welfare in Elite, Olympic and Paralympic Sport—a historic first for Japan and a milestone for six other countries globally.
Jointly established by the Japan Sport Council (JSC) and Team Belgium, this exclusive, invitation-only gathering brought together leading psychologists and mental health professionals from seven nations, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Japan, UK, and USA. Each participant plays a pivotal role in shaping national strategies for athlete and coach welfare, creating an exclusive and powerful forum for confidential, high-level exchange.
*The names are listed in alphabetical order.
Australia: Australia Institute of Sport (AIS)
Belgium: Belgian Olympic & Interfederal Committee (BOIC)/Team Belgium
Canada: Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Canadian Sport Center Saskatchewan (CSCS)
China: Beijing Sport University
Japan: Japan High Performance Sport Center (HPSC)/Japan Sport Council (JSC)
United Kingdom: UK Sports Institute (UKSI)
United States of America: United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
As mental health continues to emerge as a cornerstone of sustainable high performance, this meeting responded to a growing global movement. Initiatives such as the ANOC and Team Belgium-hosted webinar “Exchange between NOC Welfare Officers for Paris 2024” had already demonstrated the increasing commitment of National Olympic Committees and elite sport organisations to well-being in elite sport.
In this spirit of collaboration, The JSC and Team Belgium launched the Expert Group to foster face-to-face dialogue, share cutting-edge knowledge, and co-develop best practices in psychological support. The programme was co-created by Professor Paul Wylleman (Team Belgium & Brussels Olympic Research and Education Center) and the HPSC, with contributions from all participating partners.
This inaugural meeting not only strengthened international cooperation but also positioned Japan as a global leader in integrating mental health into elite sport systems. It laid the foundation for future innovation and collaboration in athlete support worldwide.
Building on the momentum of this inaugural International Expert Group Meeting, the JSC elevated the global conversation on well-being in elite sport by hosting the Nishigaoka Forum: Advancing the High Performance & Mental Health Nexus — a bold, forward-looking platform dedicated to the convergence of high performance and mental health.
Held at the HPSC, more than 140 individuals—including coaches, support staff, representatives from sporting organisations, academic researchers, and policymakers—participated from 60 organisations, all dedicated to supporting athletes. Their shared mission: to reimagine the future of elite sport by embedding mental health at the heart of performance systems.
The forum featured thought-provoking contributions from representatives of top-performing Olympic nations and future host cities—including Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032—who presented cutting-edge policies and practices. These diverse global perspectives underscored a common truth: the future of high performance is led by the integration of mental well-being.
With a clear and urgent purpose, the forum aimed to deepen understanding of global trends, foster cross-border collaboration, and strengthen Japan’s support in elite sport infrastructure for long-term, sustainable success.
Comments from KUKIDOME Takeshi, Vice President of JSC / Director General of HPSC
Mental health is no longer a peripheral issue—it is a strategic priority. Through this groundbreaking initiative, the HPSC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to fostering a resilient, athlete-centered and coach-led ecosystem—one that values mental well-being on par with physical health. The Nishigaoka Forum not only advanced the global conversation on mental health in elite sport, but also positioned Japan as a leading force in redefining high-performance sport as a foundation for lifelong well-being and societal contribution.