WADA partners with Japan Anti-Doping Agency at 2024 International Anti-Doping Seminar in Asia and Oceania

This week, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) collaborated with the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) at the annual International Anti-Doping Seminar in Asia and Oceania, which was held from 11-12 December 2024 in Tokyo, Japan.  

The hybrid event welcomed over 100 participants from more than 30 countries. The seminar, commissioned and supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan Sports Agency (JSA), is a staple of the clean sport calendar. Under this year’s theme of ‘Empowering the Clean Sport Community: Sharing Practical Insights and Fostering Collaboration,’ the event kicked off with participants being welcomed by Japan’s State Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (and WADA Foundation Board member from Asia), Arata Takebe, and by JADA Chair, Professor Akama Takao. 

Director of WADA’s Asia/Oceania office, Dr. YaYa Yamamoto, delivered a keynote address, which focused on WADA’s next Strategic Plan (2025-2029), which was approved at last week’s Foundation Board meeting, and the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code & International Standards Update Process. 

Dr. Yamamoto said: “WADA recognizes the important role the Japan Anti-Doping Agency and the Government of Japan play in the Asia and Oceania region. Japan is an important player in the global anti-doping landscape and will undoubtedly have an important part to play as we enter this next era of anti-doping. This seminar represents another opportunity to share knowledge and contribute to building anti-doping capacity throughout the region. As we embark on a new Strategic Plan and prepare for an updated World Anti-Doping Code, it is critical that we continue to work collaboratively to ensure the protection of clean sport in Asia, Oceania and beyond.”   

Professor Takao said: “JADA is pleased to once again welcome WADA and our partners from around the Asia/Oceania region to Tokyo for this important seminar. Every year, we look forward to this chance to connect and discuss clean sport issues with athletes and anti-doping leaders from all over the region. This year, the dialogue that took place will set the foundation for achieving our future objectives here in the region and around the world – all in the name of empowering the clean sport community and emphasizing an athlete-centered approach. This will be achieved by working collaboratively and committing to protect the rights of clean athletes, as we have done here during this week’s seminar.” 

Other contributors to the seminar included Alexis Cooper, Director of Education, Sport Integrity Australia and member of WADA’s Education Committee and Taskforce on Unintentional Doping; and Jessie Lacuna, two-time Olympian (swimming), Chair of the Philippines Athletes’ Commission and member of WADA’s Athlete Engagement team at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. In addition, other WADA staff members were in attendance, including Director of Testing, Tim Ricketts; Manager, Global to Local Education, Colin Allen; Manager, Asia/Oceania Office, Kyu Hwan Lee; and Manager, Asia/Oceania Office, Saravana Perumal Shanmugam.