News & Media

The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) is delighted to share the news that the Japan Esports Union (JeSU) achieved significant recognition at the 2^nd East Asia Youth Games, held on 19 August 2023 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The Esports event brought together young athletes, mainly aged 14-18, from four countries and regions in East Asia, showcasing the growing importance of Esports in the sporting world.

Esports made its debut as an official medal event at this competition, marking a historic moment for the Esports community. Two talented athletes, Riku Saito and Haruki Arai, were selected to represent Japan in Esports, following the athlete accreditation process organized by the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), which manages the Japanese national teams. They competed in "THE KING OF FIGHTERS XV" ("KOF XV") event, where Saito and Arai demonstrated their skills and determination, earning gold and bronze medals, respectively.

_{Arai and Saito during the Victory Ceremony}

In recognition of their outstanding achievements and their commitment to the Team Japan spirit, the Esports team received the prestigious Team Japan Chef de Mission Award from the JOC. This award not only acknowledges their exceptional performance but also applauds their active engagement with fellow East Asian team members and the local Mongolian community. They succeeded in fostering a strong sense of unity as Team Japan, even in a challenging environment.

_{Chef de Mission Award by the JOC presented to the Japan Esports Team}

The reasons for their well-deserved award go beyond medals. Their dedication to international exchange and their ability to connect with people from different backgrounds played a crucial role in their recognition. JeSU acknowledges that this achievement will serve as a platform to further promote and develop Esports and JeSU remains committed to supporting Japanese national athletes in their participation in international competitions and will strive to create more opportunities for them to shine on the global stage.