In a remarkable Year 2005 for cricket in Japan, there were a couple of big firsts. The main achievement was the Japan National Team winning the ICC EAP World Cup preliminary tournament in Vanuatu, propelling them to the next round against bigger opposition in Australia in July 2006. The second significant event, which was slightly less prominent but no less important, was when a primarily Japanese team (Millennium Cricket Club) won the domestic Division 1 competition. Both of these represented the maturing of Japanese cricket. 

Another sign of a maturing cricket culture is when it starts giving back to the community at large. The end of last year saw a significant effort to raise money for the Pakistan Earthquake, led mainly by the Pakistani community in Japan, and this year, with the Tyler Ferris Charity Cricket match, another evolution of Japan cricket has begun. The match has already attracted big names like former England captain Mike Gatting, South African legend Graham Pollock, former Indian captain Kapil Dev, and recently retired New Zealand Test Player Chris Cairns. It has also started to attract the attention of a wealth of sponsors. Airlines like United, British, Air New Zealand and Air India have come to the party with generous donations and the Hotel Okura in Tokyo is supporting with accommodations. 

The match was initiated by the parents of Tyler Ferris, Kim and Mark in honor of their son who died from a rare form of infant leukemia in June 2005. Kim and Mark chose to establish The Tyler Foundation to raise funds for kids with cancer in Japan and their parents and siblings. Funds are raised by staging events with a sporting or musical theme, often featuring visiting celebrities. 

Other big names that have lent their weight to the event include former rugby greats Jeremy Guscott from England and Joel Stransky, who kicked the drop goal to win the World Cup for South Africa in 1995. A weekend of events including a Gala Dinner, golf day and cricket match involving all of the celebrities is planned to not only raise funds, but also to give participants a good look at the grass roots level of cricket in Japan. There are plans to invite cricket lovers from all over Japan to take part in the event, giving them a chance to rub shoulders with former greats from around the world. 

Mike Gatting was one of the first to sign up and in an exclusive interview with the Tyler Foundation, he said, ‘it’s gonna be an interesting trip, just to see the wonderful culture they have over there… Better do some studying of what you should and shouldn’t do in Japan!! I think there are different sorts of rituals when you meet people and when you do business with people.  It all seems quite interesting’. 

Another huge coup for the event was when former Indian Captain and World Record holder for test wickets, Kapil Dev agreed to particpate. In a recent interview with the Tyler Foundation, Dev explained why he wanted to support the event. He replied: “Well, a lot of people ask me why I do charity. If you don’t feel within yourself that you want to do something good for society or good for the world, then there’s no point doing it. But if you really fell strongly, one should spend 5% of their time or life giving back to the people who require help. I think it makes a big difference. And I also want to do that.” 

Many people lay claim to helping cricket in Japan develop to today’s level. As far back as the 1800’s, foreigners from the port cities of Yokohama and Kobe were playing matches amongst themselves, bemusing locals who were becoming transfixed by another bat and ball game, baseball. The level to which baseball developed in Japan is evidenced by the fact that they recently won the inaugural World Baseball Classic against the best to offer from every major country around the world, beating traditional powers the USA and Cuba along the way to the title. There are similar hopes for cricket as well. The ICC is now heavily involved in the game in Japan, and was recently awarded Associate status by the sport’s governing body. 

There are many hives of cricketing activity undergoing rapid development.  Significant junior development has begun in the Gunma region north of Tokyo, fueled by a former pro cricketer from Australia. And similar efforts have begun in Shizuoka, Chiba and Kansai. There are also in the region of 40-50 active clubs in Japan, including University and Women’s teams. The Japan Women’s cricket team has won hearts around the world with their determination, adherence to the techniques of the game and their good-natured play. They even participated at the highest level of any Japan cricket team in 2003 when they took on traditional cricket powers like Pakistan and the West Indies in a World Cup qualifying event. The Japan Women’s side is currently preparing for a tour to Papua New Guinea in September, where the East Asia Pacific champion will be decided.The Japan Men’s team has made great strides as well, currently preparing to take on Fiji and the Cook Islands in a three-way tournament that could see them progress to a world group stage if they can achieve victory in Brisbane in June / July. 

With the Tyler Ferris Charity Cricket Match in Japan in October, a new phase of cricket in Japan has begun. It represents a great chance for cricket lovers in Japan to give to a worthy cause, and an even greater chance for cricket in Japan to mature to being more than just a game. 

For further details contact: 

The Tyler Foundation 
2-18-3 Uehara 
Shibuya-ku 
Tokyo 151-0064 
Japan 
Kimberly Forsythe 
President 
<kim@tylershineon.org> 
In Japan: 090 8852 8128 
Outside of Japan: 81 3 3485 1644