#SAS25 Preview: Generational change in Japan’s sport and entertainment infrastructure
Looking to the next generation of players and venues in Japan. Background photo by Susann Schuster on Unsplash
Looking to the next generation of players and venues in Japan. Background photo by Susann Schuster on Unsplash
Asia’s baseball stadiums are inspiring a new generation of players and fans, building on a global trend to bring people both physically and emotionally closer to the experience where the line between sport and entertainment can often become blurred.
In Japan, in particular, stadia and arenas are becoming anchors for broader precinct development, creating vibrant hubs for community engagement. But there are many challenges in the Japanese market, including cost of construction and international expertise.
Guiding us through these global trends that are creating generational change in Japan’s sport and entertainment infrastructure, TheStadiumBusiness is delighted to welcome Mako Ihara, Senior Principal, Head of Business – Japan, Populous to the programme line-up for #SAS25.
Mako is a skilled Project Manager who has more than 15 years of global sports marketing experience, including leading sales for a major Japanese advertising agency. She is an expert in brand, product development and advertising in the sport and entertainment sector, focusing on sponsorship, event planning and brand activation.
Mako’s market research and analysis skills have supported work on iconic events like the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as various marquee sporting and entertainment venues across Asia.
The Japanese market has great expectations for its sport and entertainment infrastructure over the next decade but we need to think differently about destination creation to bring greater value to clubs, and owners and operators.
Mako will explore how we can think globally and deliver locally to create adaptable venues that work at a range of capacities for a range of different types of sport and entertainment, giving fans the opportunity to extend their gameday experiences into all-round experiences where sport and entertainment combine.
Share this