News On Japan

World’s First Gaming Tournament with Sleep Deprivation Penalty

TOKYO, Sep 03 (News On Japan) - The world's first esports tournament to penalize players for sleep deprivation was held, introducing a special rule that deducts points for lack of sleep.

According to a 2021 study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the average sleep time in Japan is 7 hours and 22 minutes, which is over an hour less than the global average, making it the shortest among member countries.

To raise awareness of sleep among the Japanese population, a project called the "Active Sleep Project," which encourages "taking sleep actively," was initiated by DORIERU, a sleep improvement medication.

As part of this initiative, on August 31, a game tournament called the "Sleep Measurement e-SPORTS CUP SLEEP FIGHTER supported by DORIERU" was held, featuring a unique rule that penalizes sleep deprivation.

Participants had their sleep time measured for one week leading up to the event. For every hour of sleep lost, five points were deducted from their victory points—a special rule aimed at highlighting the consequences of insufficient sleep.

This rule was introduced to remind streamers and esports players, who often neglect sleep, of its importance.

DetonatioN FocusMe’s Street Fighter player, Itabashi Zangief, commented, "I don’t have high sleep literacy yet, so this event is an opportunity to improve my awareness within my capabilities."

Streamer SHAKA remarked, "You always perform better when you get enough sleep. I hope everyone sleeps well, even in my place."

The event venue also featured photo booths and merchandise to help attendees engage with the importance of sleep in an enjoyable way.

The concept of "active sleep" encourages people to consciously take sleep to enhance their daily lives, rather than simply sleeping because they are tired.

ERI Kamei, Brand Manager of DORIERU at SS Pharmaceutical, stated, "By ensuring sufficient sleep, people can have more fulfilling days, and this accumulation leads to a more enjoyable and enriched life. We hope that by raising awareness about sleep, more people can experience a fulfilling life. And for that, getting enough sleep is crucial."

Source: FNN

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

From April 1st, a new regulation took effect across Osaka Prefecture requiring all restaurants with a customer seating area larger than 30 square meters to become entirely smoke-free indoors—unless they install a designated smoking room. Establishments violating the rule face fines of up to 50,000 yen, while customers may be fined up to 30,000 yen.

The Imperial Household Agency launched an official YouTube channel on April 1st to introduce the activities of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Japan's new fiscal year began on April 1st, with companies across the country holding entrance ceremonies to welcome new employees.

The Japanese government has released an updated damage forecast for a potential Nankai Trough megaquake, estimating that up to 298,000 people could die in the worst-case scenario. This projection reflects a slight reduction from the previous estimate of 332,000 deaths made 13 years ago.

The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on March 30th that cherry blossoms (Somei-Yoshino) in central Tokyo have reached full bloom, one day earlier than the historical average and five days earlier than last year.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sports NEWS

If you were to ask a random person on the street, “Who are the best marathoners on Earth?”, you’d almost certainly hear one answer… The East Africans. Nowadays, they’re synonymous with distance running but until quite recently there was another powerhouse on the global scene… The Japanese. (Ran To Japan)

The IG Arena, a new venue that will host events for the 2026 Asian and Asian Para Games in Aichi and other areas, has been completed, with a handover ceremony held on March 29th, 2025.

Trevor Bauer, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, has rejoined his team in Japan, the Yokohama DeNA BayStars. In his latest video titled "I Rejoined My Team In Japan," Bauer shares his experiences and the journey back to playing baseball in Japan. (Trevor Bauer)

Jon Morosi narrates a short story about the connection that baseball has created between Japan and Major League Baseball. (MLB Network)

Ahead of the Major League Baseball season opener at Tokyo Dome, samurai doll displays featuring Japanese players were unveiled on Tuesday at Kyugetsu's headquarters in Taito Ward, Tokyo.

Ahead of the Major League Baseball season opener at Tokyo Dome, samurai doll displays featuring Japanese players were unveiled on Tuesday at Kyugetsu's headquarters in Taito Ward, Tokyo.

Dodgers pitcher Sasaki made his first start in a Major League Baseball spring training game on March 11th, throwing four scoreless innings against the Guardians in Glendale, Arizona. He allowed just one hit while striking out two and walking two.

SoftBank Hawks pitcher Jun Maeda delivered an outstanding performance against the reigning Central League champion Yomiuri Giants, shutting them out over six innings in a preseason game on March 11th.