Mahjong

Shibuya ABEMAS competes in the M.League* that kicked off in July 2018. For a fourth consecutive year, the team advanced to the finals and finished the 2021-22 season in third place. All matches are streamed live on the Mahjong Channel of ABEMA from the opening game to the final match. The team will continue its efforts in M.League as it strives to spread awareness of mahjong as a mind sport and attract many new fans.

* M.League is an organization whose purpose is to promote competitive mahjong in Japan, make the game more wholesome, and popularize and develop the sport. It has been chaired by CyberAgent President Susumu Fujita since the league launched in October 2018. Although people across the country are familiar with mahjong and there are reportedly thousands of pro mahjong players who belong to professional organizations, its strong association with gambling and complex rules are partly responsible for the lack of improvement in its social standing. However, mahjong's recognition by the International Mind Sports Association in April 2017 led to the emergence of numerous online mahjong games, and its popularity has spread among senior citizens as a way to ward off dementia. This is an example of how mahjong is gaining recognition as a mental sport for people of all ages to enjoy.