“What’s that monument?” you might ask. That’s a question many visitors have. Today, we’re standing before a monument. This monument marks a very special place. It is the birthplace of the Japanese membership-based comprehensive sports club. Specifically, this is the \u65e5\u672c\u306e\u4f1a\u54e1\u5236\u7dcf\u5408\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u30af\u30e9\u30d6\u767a\u7965\u306e\u5730.
Let’s delve into the story of how this all began. The story goes back to 1970. In July of that year, the Tokyo Athletic Club or TAC was established in Nakano. TAC was the first membership-based comprehensive sports club in Japan. Just a little earlier in the same year, Ichiro Hatta, the president of the Japan Wrestling Association, established “Sports Hall” in Shinjuku. This hall offered sports schools and lectures. Some say that this was the origin of sports clubs. However, TAC in Nakano was established in July. The Sports Hall was established later in October. This makes TAC the slightly earlier establishment.
TAC aimed to provide a place for sports and fitness. It catered to the growing interest in health and wellness among the Japanese. The concept quickly gained popularity. Many other sports clubs emerged across the country.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry defines fitness clubs as businesses. These businesses have indoor pools and training gyms. They employ instructors to teach sports. They also offer training methods for improving physical strength to their members.
TAC expanded its operations. It grew to ten locations. These were mainly in the Kanto area. The company developed various systems. These include the TAC Healthcare System for adults. This system assesses physical strength, nutritional levels, and stress levels. They also created TAC Life Counseling for children. This system evaluates physical strength, nutrition, and personality.
Today, countless sports clubs exist in Japan. They range from large chains to smaller local establishments. The monument before us commemorates the pioneering spirit. It honors the \u65e5\u672c\u306e\u4f1a\u54e1\u5236\u7dcf\u5408\u30b9\u30dd\u30fc\u30c4\u30af\u30e9\u30d6\u767a\u7965\u306e\u5730 and TAC. It is a reminder of the origins of Japan’s fitness culture.