World Rowing and Japan Sport Council drive Esports innovation at 2025 Virtual Sports Forum, Tokyo

World Rowing, in collaboration with its strategic research partner, the Japan Sport Council (JSC), co-hosted the 2025 Virtual Sports Forum on 26 March in Tokyo, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Esports and virtual sporting experiences. The event, commissioned by the Government of Japan and held at the Konami Esports Ginza Studio, brought together key industry leaders under the theme of ‘exploring the opportunities coming from the Olympic Esports Games’.

World Rowing contributed to the discussions with a compelling presentation on “The Connected Future for Rowing”,delivered by Filip Ljubicic, Chair of the World Rowing Indoor Rowing Commission, and three-time Olympian Jessica Eddie. The presentation outlined the organisation’s commitment to advancing Virtual Rowing through enhanced connectivity and innovation, reinforcing the role of Indoor Rowing as an inclusive and globally accessible sport.

The 2025 Virtual Sports Forum saw participation from prominent figures in the global Esports landscape, including IOC Member Ser Miang Ng, Chair of the Olympic Esports Games steering committee and Leandro Larrosa, IOC Director of Digital Engagement and Marketing, who shared key insights into the growing convergence of traditional and virtual sports. This forum was therefore particularly significant in the context of the first Olympic Esports Games, set to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027. The discussions at the event underscored the increasing importance of virtual sports within the Olympic Movement and the opportunities for Indoor/Connected Rowing to be part of this rapidly expanding ecosystem.

Other high-profile keynote speakers included Konami and Japan eSports Union President Hideki Hayakawa; Japan Sport Council Head of Virtual Sports Research Office Hiroshi Sakata; Capcom Global eSports Division General Manager Tetsuya Tabuchi and World Baseball and Softball Confederation Head of Innovation Valerio Cianfoni.

The forum also served as a platform to further strengthen the ongoing collaboration between World Rowing and the JSC, particularly in the field of scientific research. This partnership continues to drive forward innovations in sports technology, athlete performance, and digital engagement strategies.

As part of its visit to Japan, World Rowing President Jean-Christophe Rolland paid a courtesy visit to Tokyo Vice-Governor Shoichi Kurioka, reinforcing the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The discussions focused on the continued development of Rowing in Japan and the broader opportunities for World Rowing. Rolland and Executive Director Vincent Gaillard also held a strategic meeting with global advertising agency Dentsu, exploring avenues for joint collaboration and commercial growth.

“The evolution of virtual sports presents a significant opportunity for Indoor/Connected Rowing to expand its reach and attract new audiences,” said Jean-Christophe Rolland. “By working closely with the Japan Sport Council and leveraging cutting-edge research, we are ensuring that Rowing remains at the forefront of innovation in the digital era.”

JSC President and CEO, Satoshi Ashidate, added “It was a profound honour to co-host and co-create the Virtual Sports Forum 2025 with World Rowing, as part of our ongoing international joint research. This year, through the exceptional support of President Rolland of World Rowing, we had the distinct privilege of welcoming esteemed experts from the IOC to present the latest updates and future prospects of the Olympic Esports Games. Furthermore, World Rowing, the World Baseball Softball Confederation, and Capcom Co., Ltd. delivered invaluable case studies based on their respective eSports classifications.

As JSC, we remain unwavering in our commitment to closely monitor international trends in this field. Looking ahead to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the 2027 Olympic Esports Games, we aspire to contribute to athlete support through a research-driven approach. Our ambition is to apply the insights gained from these eSports to traditional sports and society at large. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with relevant stakeholders to realise this vision, transforming high performance into life performance. We are dedicated to advance our international joint research with World Rowing to unparalleled heights and are enthusiastic to further fortify our partnership.”

World Rowing remains committed to shaping the future of virtual sports while maintaining its rich tradition of excellence and accessibility. The outcomes of the Virtual Sports Forum 2025 will inform the organisation’s next steps in the development of Indoor and Virtual Rowing, with a strong emphasis on research-driven advancements and strategic partnerships.