Japan is one of the world’s leading nations in healthy longevity, yet it remains one of the few countries where fitness participation rates still hover just above 5%.

The reasons behind this longevity lie in Japan’s well-developed healthcare and nursing care systems, and comprehensive social support structures. However, these same systems have also created an ever-growing financial burden on social security. As a countermeasure, the government is increasingly encouraging health promotion and disease prevention initiatives led or supported by the private sector, across multiple domains.

Given these circumstances, there is no doubt that Japan’s fitness and healthcare markets will become even more vibrant in the years ahead. Indeed, we are already seeing clear signs of this transformation. Two major trends are particularly noteworthy.

(1) The rapid growth of small, concept-driven fitness formats that offer highly distinctive experiences.

(2) The diversification of comprehensive sports clubs, leveraging their accumulated expertise, to expand into the broader healthcare field.

A leading example of the first trend is chocoZAP, which has achieved remarkable growth with its compact, concept-based model. For a highly affordable monthly fee of just ¥2,980 (approximately US$20) members enjoy unlimited 24-hour access to all locations nationwide. Each site includes not only training equipment but also self-service beauty treatments and laundry facilities – making it easy for anyone to visit casually. The brand now boasts over 1.3 million members and 1,755 locations.

Similarly, Dr.stretch, which specializes in assisted stretching, has expanded to over 230 locations across Japan and has begun overseas expansion, particularly in Asia. Meanwhile, Curves Holdings Co., Ltd., the Japanese operator of the women-only circuit gym Curves, acquired its U.S. headquarters, Curves International Holdings, Inc., thereby gaining global franchisor capabilities and increased management flexibility. The company now operates 2,000 locations in Japan and has achieved record-high profits.

As for the second trend, the diversification into healthcare, our initiatives at Renaissance are a prime example.

Traditionally, Japan’s comprehensive sports clubs have combined adult fitness memberships with children’s programs such as swimming, golf, and tennis lessons, making full use of their pool facilities.

Leveraging the strengths of this integrated model, Renaissance is now expanding beyond exercise to create third spaces for holistic wellness – featuring saunas, spas, coworking areas, and recovery zones.

Building on the expertise developed through these operations, we are advancing into comprehensive health solution businesses, centered on “exercise.” These include municipal care-prevention programs, school swimming instruction, PFI projects, corporate and health insurance wellness initiatives, post-rehabilitation and care-related services, and e-commerce ventures such as fitness equipment sales.

Furthermore, by collaborating with medical institutions and related companies, we are broadening our healthcare initiatives into new domains – such as the research and development of Synapsology®, a program designed for cancer post-rehabilitation and dementia prevention, both increasingly urgent global issues.

Japan is facing the world’s fastest-aging society and a declining birthrate, but the expertise and content developed here to promote health and wellbeing will undoubtedly prove valuable not only domestically, but also internationally.

As we move forward, we are committed to leveraging Japan’s leadership in healthy longevity to contribute to a more vibrant, health-oriented society – both at home and around the world.