I want to convey the pleasure of table tennis. Watching the Svenson Group founded a complex table tennis space "T4 TOKYO"
2016年のリオ五輪で日本人選手が活躍したことをきっかけに、一気に関心が高まった日本卓球界。それによって競技希望者が増加し、卓球ができる場所も各地で増えてきた。そのひとつが、2017年6月に渋谷にオープンした「T4 TOKYO」（以下、「T4」）。「卓球スペース」「レストラン＆バー」「卓球ブランドショップ」「卓球スクール」の4つの要素を取り入れた、日本初となる複合型卓球スペースとして徐々に人気を博している。そこで今回は、運営しているスヴェンソンのグループ会社「スヴェンソンスポーツマーケティング」の山下亮社長に、「T4」開業までの経緯と、卓球に対する想いを聞いた。
Principal Sato
|
2018/02/27
- First of all, could you tell us how you have reached the point of opening "T4"?
Yamashita:Yes. Originally to Svenson's group company "VICTAS (https://www.victas.com/There is a comprehensive manufacturer of table tennis ").
That "VICTAS" signed an official supplier contract with the Japan Table Tennis Association in April 2017. And after having become the official wear brand of table tennis Japan boys' representative, the story came out "Let's do a business incorporating table tennis!"
But myself, I was not interested in table tennis at all, I did not even do it.
Last year, a composite table tennis space opened in Shibuya "T4 TOKYO"
How did you work on devising a table tennis project in Japan?
Yamashita: There are "TACTIVE (http://www.tactive.co.jp/There is also a company that develops a table tennis school business called "I'm involved as a member of the staff at the time of its launch.
And since "VICTAS" became an official supplier, I also started to practice under the "TACTIVE" coach.
In considering business of table tennis, we first thought that we should know the competition on our own.
Although I did not think, people who never played table tennis felt that they had a negative impression, such as "dark" or "plain" against the competition.
But actually I tried it and it was really fun.
So I thought. If you create a place to play table tennis and increase opportunities to touch the game, the image of the world table tennis will become brighter and lighter.
President Ryo Yamashita of Svenson Sports Marketing
- I thought about making table tennis facilities from there.
Yamashita:That's right.
However, if you are going to enter the table tennis industry from now on, you need to adopt something new elements beyond just "shops that can play table tennis".
When I thought so, I went to New York with two President of the present "VICTAS" to see what kind of table tennis scene in the world is like.
So I dropped by a table tennis bar like "Night club" SPiN New York (Spin / New York).
What I saw was not the "gashing" like in Japan, it was the appearance of a customer who plays tablet spinning waiwai while drinking alcohol in the shop where music was played. In America, that kind of culture was rooted.
If we incorporate such foreign cultures, I thought that Japanese table tennis scenes would be exciting from a different angle.
1階の奥にあるレストラン&バー
- I see. Certainly, doing a table tennis at a shop like a night club is a form of table tennis that is not traditional.
Yamashita:That's right. By adopting such elements, you can use it for company drinking party and gongkong, and I think that you can feel "table tennis is interesting" by drinking while drinking while drinking.
Also, since there was also a desire to further spread "VICTAS" and "TACTIVE", I decided to incorporate these two factors.
Since the aim of this facility is "spread of table tennis", by having "Restaurant & Bar", "Table Tennis Brand Shop" and "Table Tennis School", you can make "a place where everything about table tennis is complete"! Because I thought so.
Entrance on the first floor where the brand shop and table tennis table of "VICTAS" were installed
- It is a dreamlike story from a table tennis favorite person! ! So, after purchasing rackets and rubber in the brand shop, can you try it on the table tennis table?
Yamashita:of course. That's why I have set up a table tennis table in the same space, and I have all the manufacturer's rubber.
I think that there is not much place to try immediately even if I buy table tennis equipment, so I think that there is demand for that point.
In addition, we have introduced a "table tennis tracking system" that allows you to convert the trajectory and speed of a hit balloon into data on a table tennis table within the same entrance. It is a data stadium that analyzes various sports data (http://www.datastadium.co.jp/) 'S system, we are being taken in at the same time as opening of "T4".
By using this system, you can measure not only the trial but also your own hitting speed and number of revolutions.
- It is an ordinary shop, that it is possible to experience such experience ... It is too terrible! (Lol)
Yamashita:Yes. Originally to Svenson's group company "VICTAS (https://www.victas.com/There is a comprehensive manufacturer of table tennis ").
That "VICTAS" signed an official supplier contract with the Japan Table Tennis Association in April 2017. And after having become the official wear brand of table tennis Japan boys' representative, the story came out "Let's do a business incorporating table tennis!"
But myself, I was not interested in table tennis at all, I did not even do it.
Last year, a composite table tennis space opened in Shibuya "T4 TOKYO"
How did you work on devising a table tennis project in Japan?
Yamashita: There are "TACTIVE (http://www.tactive.co.jp/There is also a company that develops a table tennis school business called "I'm involved as a member of the staff at the time of its launch.
And since "VICTAS" became an official supplier, I also started to practice under the "TACTIVE" coach.
In considering business of table tennis, we first thought that we should know the competition on our own.
Although I did not think, people who never played table tennis felt that they had a negative impression, such as "dark" or "plain" against the competition.
But actually I tried it and it was really fun.
So I thought. If you create a place to play table tennis and increase opportunities to touch the game, the image of the world table tennis will become brighter and lighter.
President Ryo Yamashita of Svenson Sports Marketing
- I thought about making table tennis facilities from there.
Yamashita:That's right.
However, if you are going to enter the table tennis industry from now on, you need to adopt something new elements beyond just "shops that can play table tennis".
When I thought so, I went to New York with two President of the present "VICTAS" to see what kind of table tennis scene in the world is like.
So I dropped by a table tennis bar like "Night club" SPiN New York (Spin / New York).
What I saw was not the "gashing" like in Japan, it was the appearance of a customer who plays tablet spinning waiwai while drinking alcohol in the shop where music was played. In America, that kind of culture was rooted.
If we incorporate such foreign cultures, I thought that Japanese table tennis scenes would be exciting from a different angle.
Yamashita:That's right. By adopting such elements, you can use it for company drinking party and gongkong, and I think that you can feel "table tennis is interesting" by drinking while drinking while drinking.
Also, since there was also a desire to further spread "VICTAS" and "TACTIVE", I decided to incorporate these two factors.
Since the aim of this facility is "spread of table tennis", by having "Restaurant & Bar", "Table Tennis Brand Shop" and "Table Tennis School", you can make "a place where everything about table tennis is complete"! Because I thought so.
Entrance on the first floor where the brand shop and table tennis table of "VICTAS" were installed
Yamashita:of course. That's why I have set up a table tennis table in the same space, and I have all the manufacturer's rubber.
I think that there is not much place to try immediately even if I buy table tennis equipment, so I think that there is demand for that point.
In addition, we have introduced a "table tennis tracking system" that allows you to convert the trajectory and speed of a hit balloon into data on a table tennis table within the same entrance. It is a data stadium that analyzes various sports data (http://www.datastadium.co.jp/) 'S system, we are being taken in at the same time as opening of "T4".
By using this system, you can measure not only the trial but also your own hitting speed and number of revolutions.
- It is an ordinary shop, that it is possible to experience such experience ... It is too terrible! (Lol)
VIP Room on basement 1 floor where you can enjoy table tennis in a luxurious space
YamashitaThat's not all.
There is also a VIP room that can be rented on the basement floor, but on the table tennis table in that space "PONG! PONG! I'm introducing a new sense of digital game called.
President Yamashita (right back) and actually "PONG! PONG! Experience
- What kind of game is it?
Yamashita: It is a real experience type table tennis game that destroys the blocks projected on the table tennis table with real ping-pong balls and competes points.
This is because we are developing a game for many smartphones "Akatsuki (https://aktsk.jp/) "Cooperated with Mr. Data Stadium and cooperated with the game, using the technology of the tracking system I mentioned earlier is a game created.
Regardless of the ability of competition, you can enjoy table tennis in a new format, so it is common for advanced users to lose to beginners.
It is a perfect game for renting out with parties etc. and doing it all together!
Yamashita: We received very well from customers.
Also, this "PONG! PONG! "The world's largest food drinking association" Nestle (https://www.nestle.co.jp/There are also games that collaborated.
Panels of various foods such as meat and vegetables, eggs are displayed on the table tennis table, but if you apply to foods with high calcium you can earn high scores.
Regarding food nutrition, I learn while moving my body with digital table tennis, so it is easier to remember.
Last November an event was held under the theme of "TACTIVE" school coach, "Digital × Food Education × Table Tennis" as a theme.
Table tennis table on which panels of various foods were displayed
- That 's right. For children, I think that it is a revolutionary game that can be enjoyed and studied. Speaking of "TACTIVE", a table tennis class is held on the same underground floor, is not it?
Yamashita:Yes. Teams belonging to business associations and overseas league experts will guide you as a coach.
Depending on the time zone, the users are separated, from housework in the morning until around noon, children in the evening, and salaried workers who finish work at night.
- It is surprising that there are more adults.
Yamashita: Actually, everyone who looks at the table tennis school has many housewives.
Even for a salaried worker, the impact of the increase in no overtime days and premium fridays in recent years has increased the number of people who are running at the end of the work and going to the sports club.
I think table tennis is entering such options.
Especially when I belong to the table tennis club during my school days, when I become an adult and leave the table tennis, there are many who think that I want to beat again.
So, I think that increasing such a place will lead to expansion of the table tennis school market.
Where do you emphasize the future players' development?
Yamashita:House. Basically I think I will continue like a sports club.
However, "T4" offers places as a practicing place for Japanese delegates of the Paralympic table tennis.
As a matter of fact, at para-sports, practical environment is not fully prepared as present. So, I hope to become a part of the strength of the players by "TACTIVE" school project.
Para athletes who practice at the first floor of the T4
- I think this is an indispensable effort to acquire medals at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. Finally, please tell us about the future prospects of the Svenson Group.
Yamashita:Yes. In the future I would like to spread the place where I can play table tennis.
This can be said in any region, although there are more people wanting to play table tennis every year, there is not enough space to compete.
It is very wasteful though table tennis has become a boom and the number of competitors is increasing.
So, I would like to further increase the place I can play table tennis.
This is the concept of our business model and I think that we should simply tell many people that "table tennis is a fun sports".
▼ Svenson Corporation
https://www.svenson.co.jp
▼「T4 TOKYO」
http://t-4.jp/tokyo/
YamashitaThat's not all.
There is also a VIP room that can be rented on the basement floor, but on the table tennis table in that space "PONG! PONG! I'm introducing a new sense of digital game called.
President Yamashita (right back) and actually "PONG! PONG! Experience
- What kind of game is it?
Yamashita: It is a real experience type table tennis game that destroys the blocks projected on the table tennis table with real ping-pong balls and competes points.
This is because we are developing a game for many smartphones "Akatsuki (https://aktsk.jp/) "Cooperated with Mr. Data Stadium and cooperated with the game, using the technology of the tracking system I mentioned earlier is a game created.
Regardless of the ability of competition, you can enjoy table tennis in a new format, so it is common for advanced users to lose to beginners.
It is a perfect game for renting out with parties etc. and doing it all together!
Yamashita: We received very well from customers.
Also, this "PONG! PONG! "The world's largest food drinking association" Nestle (https://www.nestle.co.jp/There are also games that collaborated.
Panels of various foods such as meat and vegetables, eggs are displayed on the table tennis table, but if you apply to foods with high calcium you can earn high scores.
Regarding food nutrition, I learn while moving my body with digital table tennis, so it is easier to remember.
Last November an event was held under the theme of "TACTIVE" school coach, "Digital × Food Education × Table Tennis" as a theme.
Table tennis table on which panels of various foods were displayed
Yamashita:Yes. Teams belonging to business associations and overseas league experts will guide you as a coach.
Depending on the time zone, the users are separated, from housework in the morning until around noon, children in the evening, and salaried workers who finish work at night.
- It is surprising that there are more adults.
Yamashita: Actually, everyone who looks at the table tennis school has many housewives.
Even for a salaried worker, the impact of the increase in no overtime days and premium fridays in recent years has increased the number of people who are running at the end of the work and going to the sports club.
I think table tennis is entering such options.
Especially when I belong to the table tennis club during my school days, when I become an adult and leave the table tennis, there are many who think that I want to beat again.
So, I think that increasing such a place will lead to expansion of the table tennis school market.
Where do you emphasize the future players' development?
Yamashita:House. Basically I think I will continue like a sports club.
However, "T4" offers places as a practicing place for Japanese delegates of the Paralympic table tennis.
As a matter of fact, at para-sports, practical environment is not fully prepared as present. So, I hope to become a part of the strength of the players by "TACTIVE" school project.
- I think this is an indispensable effort to acquire medals at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. Finally, please tell us about the future prospects of the Svenson Group.
Yamashita:Yes. In the future I would like to spread the place where I can play table tennis.
This can be said in any region, although there are more people wanting to play table tennis every year, there is not enough space to compete.
It is very wasteful though table tennis has become a boom and the number of competitors is increasing.
So, I would like to further increase the place I can play table tennis.
This is the concept of our business model and I think that we should simply tell many people that "table tennis is a fun sports".
https://www.svenson.co.jp
▼「T4 TOKYO」
http://t-4.jp/tokyo/
