Sports Arbitration Clause

Download the Adoption Statement as a PDF (JP)

Introduction

Pickleball Japan (PJ) supports the arbitration system offered by the Japan Sports Arbitration Agency (JSAA) as a way to resolve sport-related disputes properly and smoothly, and has adopted a basic policy of treating JSAA’s arbitration decisions as the final means of resolution.

Basic Policy on Adoption

PJ has adopted automatic acceptance of JSAA arbitration proceedings for the following reasons.

To prioritize fair dispute resolution by a highly specialized, independent sports body
To support a system designed to reduce the burden on parties to a dispute and resolve issues quickly
As part of building a governance structure that meets domestic and international standards

Details of Adoption

Our Code of Ethics, effective 2025, formalizes our intent to accept arbitration by adding the following article as a supplementary provision.

Article 18 (Automatic Acceptance of Sports Arbitration)
For disputes concerning the Federation (including disciplinary matters, player eligibility, and removal from registration), the Federation agrees to treat the arbitration decisions of the Japan Sports Arbitration Agency as the final means of resolution, and automatically accepts arbitration under that agency’s arbitration rules.

This clause applies to everyone involved, including players, coaches, and officers.

Next Steps

Formal adoption of the arbitration clause by resolution of the Board of Directors, and thorough communication of it
Adding the clause to registration pledges and application forms for those covered by it
Distributing briefings and Q&A materials aimed at preventing disputes before they arise