JRFU & JFA Launch Joint Initiative to Target Zero Lightning Related Accidents
The Japan Rugby Football Union and the Japan Football Association have come together to launch the JRFU × JFA Collaborative Initiative Aiming for Zero Lightning Related Accidents – the first such programme in Japanese sport. With climate change bringing increased instability in weather patterns and increasing the frequency of severe weather events, the risk of lightning strikes is growing.
The impact of lightning strikes can be catastrophic, resulting in cardiac arrest, burns ad impaired consciousness. For rugby, football and other outdoor sports and activities, adequate safety measures are required. This includes prior preparation—such as gathering information on potential lightning risks and having policies in place to allow for rapid decision-making regarding the suspension of play and evacuation from outdoor areas.
To ensure safety in the participation of both rugby and football at all levels, and to guide and support other sports, the JRFU and JFA will collaborate to promote this initiative, with the aim of ensuring zero lightning-related accidents.
Commenting on the announcement of the joint initiative, President of the Japan Rugby Football Union, Masato Tsuchida said:
“For rugby, as with any outdoor sport, lightning has always been one of the major risks. Coaches and players alike have surely experienced first-hand the increased danger as a result of climate change. It is therefore highly significant that we are now able to work together with the Japan Football Association to further strengthen safety measures, and I would like to express my gratitude to the JFA and to all those involved in this initiative. By pooling our expertise in both rugby and football, we will develop systems to support appropriate decision-making and action on the ground, with the aim of achieving zero lightning-related accidents at sporting events.”
President of the Japan Football Association, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto added:
“We are delighted to be able to work together with the Japan Rugby Football Union to tackle lightning safety in both football and rugby. In recent years, due to climate change, risks posed by the natural environment, including lightning strikes, have undoubtedly increased. As both football and rugby are outdoor sports, this is a shared challenge. Sport can only develop in a stable and sustainable manner if safety is guaranteed, so in this sense, ensuring safety on the field is our top priority.
“In environments where many children and players compete on a daily basis, ensuring that every individual can play with peace of mind enhances the value of sport and paves the way for the future. Lightning-related accidents can be prevented through proper knowledge, preparation and sound judgement on the ground, and it is precisely because players are safe that they can take on new challenges. We believe that creating such an environment is our responsibility and that it leads to ‘building the future through football’.”