Esports Classes in Japan: An Ingenious Way of Learning!

Picture this: you walk into school, sit down at your desk, log into a computer, and start playing a game. No, you’re not sneaking in a quick match before classes–this is the class! For students in Yokohama, Japan, these esports classes are becoming a reality.

Public schools in the city have started offering esports lessons, treating gaming as a structured subject where students can learn teamwork, strategy, and digital skills that matter in the real world. So why are schools doing this? What do students learn? And could this idea spread elsewhere? Let’s take a look.

What is esports?

The word esports (alternately spelled as “e-sports”), short for “electronic sports”, means competitive video gaming. Players compete in organized tournaments, and just like in traditional sports, there are professional teams, coaches, rankings, events, and sponsors. Some colleges in the United States even offer scholarships to students who excel in esports, and major competitions fill arenas, attracting millions of online viewers!

Esports encompasses a wide range of game genres, including strategy, racing, first-person shooters, and battle arenas. It now has its very own global industry, supported by live-stream platforms, gaming companies, and passionate fans. While many people still consider gaming a hobby, esports has evolved into a serious competitive field. Even an academic subject in Japan!

Why are schools in Yokohama offering esports classes?

Yokohama is the first major city in Japan to introduce esports into public school programs, with Minato Sogo Senior High School leading the way. This move reflects the increasing significance of gaming in contemporary life. For educators, the idea is simple: since many students already engage deeply with games outside school, bringing esports into the classroom allows teachers to channel that interest into something educational!

Japan has a huge gaming culture, thanks to companies like Nintendo and Sony producing many of the games you know, and ultimately shaping the entertainment world. For students who grow up surrounded by this, having an esports class feels natural. It also provides them with a way to explore careers in technology, design, engineering, or media. 

Instead of treating gaming as something separate from “real learning,” teachers are using it to make learning feel modern and exciting. Yokohama chose to use it as another way to spark curiosity and support future career paths!

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What Students Learn in Esports Classes

These classes are not just about playing games for an hour and going home. Through fighting games like Street Fighter 6, students develop a wide range of skills. 

Communication and Teamwork  

Most competitive games require players to coordinate their strategies, react quickly to unexpected situations, and assign roles based on their team’s strengths and weaknesses. As students play, they practice staying calm under pressure and adjusting to constantly changing circumstances. These skills are valuable in academics, clubs, and later in professional life as well!

Tech Skills

Many programs teach the basics of how gaming computers function, how to set up hardware, and how networks and software work. Some students even learn the basics of video production and broadcasting to create game commentary or match recaps, similar to commentators on Twitch or in professional matches. This opens doors for career interests students may never have considered, from technical support and IT to graphic design and editing.

Strategic Thinking

Students also learn to analyze plays, study their opponents, and find more effective paths forward. Reviewing past matches is a common exercise, similar to athletes examining past game footage to identify what went right and wrong. In addition, teachers also cover online etiquette: how to handle negativity, communicate respectfully, and navigate online spaces safely. These are practical life lessons that many students cannot learn from textbooks alone.

Esports Helps Students Explore Career Possibilities

While gaming is the starting point, esports connects to many areas of work. Going pro is not the only career path in gaming! Students can also explore other aspects of the industry they enjoy, such as game design, programming, or user interface development. Others may be drawn to the creative side, such as creating artwork, music, character designs, or special effects!

There is even a business side to esports. Tournaments need event organizers, marketers, and support staff. A video stream requires hosts, commentators, and production managers. Even maintaining gaming computers can lead students toward hardware engineering or IT services. By experiencing various aspects of the esports ecosystem, students begin to understand that a passion for gaming can serve as a foundation for numerous job opportunities.

This is why schools like Minato Sogo are excited about the classes. They are not just encouraging students to spend all day on games. Instead, they are helping them turn something they already enjoy into a structured learning experience with academic and career benefits!

Should more schools have esports classes?

Honestly? People have mixed opinions. Some worry that gaming should remain at home, separate from schoolwork. Others believe that education should grow and evolve alongside the world students live in, and today that world includes digital media, online communities, and virtual spaces. When handled responsibly, esports can support learning the same way traditional sports, clubs, and creative subjects do!

Introducing esports can make school feel more relevant, showing students that their interests matter. It also allows young people who might fail in traditional athletics to find confidence and teamwork in a different arena. 

From a practical standpoint, esports encourages digital literacy, which is important in nearly every job field today. Schools can even teach students balance, such as taking breaks, managing screen time, and making healthy choices, so that they can enjoy gaming safely. What about you? Should more schools have esports classes? Let us know in the comments!