Japan has removed the requirement for adult-entertainment permits for mahjong schools dedicated to education and learning [1], [2].
The policy change allows individuals under 18 to enter these facilities, effectively transitioning the game from a gambling-associated activity to a recognized educational tool. By relaxing the Adult Entertainment Business Law, the government aims to promote mahjong as a "brain sport" and encourage its use in academic and social learning environments [1], [2].
The National Police Agency, the National Mahjong Business Federation, and the Japan Mahjong Sports Promotion Organization established the new guidelines on July 1 [2]. A spokesperson for the National Police Agency said that mahjong facilities intended for learning do not require a permit under the Adult Entertainment Business Law if they meet specific requirements [1].
This regulatory shift follows four years of discussion regarding the game's image. The rise of professional leagues has contributed to this shift in perception. The M-League, now in its ninth year [3], offers a championship prize of 70 million yen [3]. This professionalization has inspired a new generation of players, including high school students.
Interest among youth is growing, as evidenced by the Eastern Japan qualifiers for the National High School Mahjong Championship, which saw approximately 400 participants [3]. Students have cited both professional influence and family traditions as motivations for playing. A student from Futatsumatsu Gakusha University Attached Kashiwa High School said, "I started admiring the players after I began watching the M-League" [3]. Another student from Tsukuba Shuei High School said they started playing because their grandparents played and they wanted to join in [3].
While the new guidelines permit minors to enter educational facilities, some reports indicate that access to actual mahjong tiles may still be limited in certain locations [3].
“"Learning-oriented mahjong facilities do not require a permit under the Adult Entertainment Business Law if they meet specific requirements."”
This policy change represents a significant cultural pivot in Japan, decoupling mahjong from its historical association with gambling and organized crime. By legitimizing the game as a brain sport and opening it to minors, the government is aligning the legal framework with the commercial success of the M-League and the growing popularity of competitive, non-gambling play.
