Undokai  in the Developing World

　Japanese-style “Sports Day,”/or undokai,/is becoming popular/in developing countries.// Undokai  was first introduced overseas/around 1965/through JOCV (now a part of JICA) volunteers,/young Japanese who travel abroad/to help with local projects.// By 2017,/undokai  was held/in about 40 countries.//
　Why did undokai  become so popular?// No matter what your skill level is,/you can join undokai  activities.// The goal is/to have fun with everyone.// Tamaire, or throwing team balls into a basket,/tsunahiki, or tug-of-war,/and oonawatobi, or long jump rope,/can be enjoyed by everyone.//
　“Sports” are related to SDGs/encouraged by the United Nations.// Sports activities benefit everyone,/from young children to seniors.// As stated in the SDG principles,/“No one will be left behind.”// Instead of fighting,/undokai  encourages group competition/in a friendly atmosphere.// The popularity of undokai  will become more widespread/in the future.//