Japan is one of the leading countries in the tug-of-war sport in the Asian region and joined TWIF in 1985. The Japan Association is very well established in Japan with a great number of clubs and schools participating in national competitions. Tug-of-war in Asia is predominantly done in the indoor discipline and Japan took part in 66 international competitions of which 55 in the indoor discipline. The national teams participated in three World Games and won 6 medals (4 silver 2 bronze). They also won 6 World titles in the indoor discipline and one title in the Oceanic Games in 1997. In 1988 Japan organized the Goodwill Meet, an international indoor tournament with a worldwide participation as the sponsor was able to provide both accommodation and air tickets for the participants. More recently Japan was the host country for World Games 2001 in Akita, where tug-of-war sport was on the program with outdoor and indoor disciplines.