Japan's National Police Agency announced that Mahjong learning facilities are now exempt from requiring permits under the Entertainment Business Act [1, 2].

This policy shift removes significant regulatory barriers for educators and players, formally recognizing the game as a brain-sport rather than a gambling-adjacent activity. By easing these restrictions, the government aims to accommodate the growing popularity of the game across all age groups and promote its educational value [1, 2].

The new guidelines took effect nationwide on July 1, 2026 [3]. Under the previous framework, venues offering Mahjong often required strict permits that limited accessibility and operation. The updated policy allows these classrooms to operate without such permits, provided they meet specific conditions. Notably, the new rules allow individuals under 18 to enter these facilities [1, 2].

This transition follows a policy announcement made in April 2024, marking the conclusion of a multi-year discussion regarding the game's legal status [1, 2]. The effort was a joint venture between the National Police Agency, the Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization, and the National Mahjong Business Federation [1, 2].

The shift comes as Mahjong gains professional and academic traction. The M-League, a professional circuit, entered its ninth season in 2024 [4]. The stakes of professional play are high, with the M-League champion prize money reaching 70,000,000 JPY [4].

Interest in the game has also surged among students. Approximately 400 people participated in the East Japan high-school Mahjong qualifier [4]. By treating the game as a cognitive exercise, the government seeks to foster a structured environment for learning and competition, moving the activity further away from its historical association with unregulated gambling parlors [1, 2].

“Mahjong learning facilities are now exempt from requiring permits under the Entertainment Business Act”

This regulatory change signals a formal cultural shift in Japan, transitioning Mahjong from a stigmatized pastime associated with adult gambling to a recognized intellectual sport. By allowing minors to participate in sanctioned classrooms and removing the burden of Entertainment Business Act permits, the state is effectively legitimizing the game's role in education and professional sports, which likely will lead to an increase in licensed schools and youth tournaments.