The Japan Volleyball Association banned spectators from taking photos or videos during the Tonarino round of the national beach volleyball tour [1].
The restriction targets both men's and women's competitions to prevent the capture of inappropriate imagery. This move signals a tightening of privacy controls in professional sports as organizers struggle to balance fan engagement with athlete safety.
Organizers said the decision followed incidents where fans took "malicious" shots of players [1]. The ban was implemented for the weekend competition on Saturday and Sunday to ensure the privacy and safety of the athletes [1].
This is not the first time such measures have been taken during the current tour. A similar ban on photography was enforced during the previous round of competition held in the coastal city of Hekina last week [1].
The Japan Volleyball Association said that recording images on any device, including smart glasses, would be prohibited [2]. The association's strict stance reflects a growing concern over voyeurism and the unauthorized distribution of athlete images online [3].
By prohibiting all recording devices, the JVA aims to eliminate the risk of predatory photography that often targets athletes in beach volleyball due to the nature of the sport's attire [3]. The association said these steps are necessary to maintain a professional environment for the competitors [1].
“Recording images on any device, including smart glasses, would be prohibited.”
The JVA's decision highlights a growing conflict between the public nature of beach sports and the right to bodily autonomy for athletes. By banning even wearable tech like smart glasses, Japan is setting a rigorous precedent for how sports federations may respond to digital harassment and voyeurism in the modern era.
