What Leifras does

Leifras Co., Ltd. (リーフラス株式会社) is a Tokyo-headquartered (Fukuoka-founded) sports and social business company that operates a dual-segment platform spanning children's sports education and public-sector school activity outsourcing across Japan. The Sports segment runs ~4,500 multi-discipline schools (soccer, baseball, basketball, kendo, tennis, dance, etc.) under 14+ sub-brands, serving ~70,700 members nationwide on a recurring monthly subscription basis (e.g., JPY 4,800/month for L-Spo preschool programs). The Social segment provides managed services — school club activity outsourcing to municipalities and private junior highs, physical education support, after-school day services for developmentally challenged children (LEIF/FLEI/ILFE), and healthcare exercise programs — typically awarded via multi-year B2G contracts through public RFPs.

The company's underlying technology stack centers on a proprietary "Milabo" non-cognitive skill measurement system developed jointly with Kyushu Sangyo University, used to empirically validate coaching outcomes at scale (28,400-member analysis in 2024). A national instructor dispatch platform coordinates 1,055 full-time and ~3,544 part-time crew instructors across 46 prefectures, enabling rapid fulfillment of B2G contracts. Back-office automation via PKSHA Associates' RPA tool yields ~30 hours/week and ~JPY 2 million/year in HR cost savings. Coaching methodology is anchored in a proprietary "Recognize, Praise, Encourage, Inspire" pedagogy validated through research with Kyushu Sangyo, International Budo, and Tsukuba universities.

Leifras earns revenue primarily through (1) recurring monthly sports school subscriptions, (2) multi-year managed-service contracts for school club outsourcing and PE support with municipal governments and private schools (24 municipalities and 8 private junior highs contracted for FY2026), and (3) subscription-based after-school day services (29 facilities nationwide as of May 2026). Distribution is direct via regional branches in all 47 prefectures and 8 professional sports-team co-branding alliances (SoftBank Hawks, Lotte Marines, Hanshin Tigers, etc.). The company's FY2025 revenue reached JPY 11.7 billion ($74.8M), +13.5% YoY, with social business sales growing +32.8% YoY.

Name

Leifras

Legal name

リーフラス株式会社 (LEIFRAS CO., LTD.)

Website

https://leifras.co.jp

Company type

Public

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Leifras operates Japan's #1 children's multi-sport school network (~4,500 schools, ~70,700 members across all 47 prefectures) and a leading school club activity outsourcing business serving municipalities, combining recurring subscription revenue with multi-year B2G contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Sports Education and School Club Support Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Amateur Clubs & Community Sports Organizations (MPAKACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sport-Specific Skills Coaching (e.g., soccer, basketball, tennis) (HSADAEAA)

Keywords

• Children's sports instruction
• School club outsourcing
• After-school day services
• Social business sports education
• Non-cognitive skill development

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sports School Subscription Fees: Recurring monthly membership fees from approximately 70,700 members enrolled in ~4,500 sports schools across 13 sport categories nationwide. Price increases in FY2025 supported revenue growth despite temporary member attrition. (Q1 2026 sports school revenue: ¥2,163M, +5.6% YoY.)
2. School Club Activity Outsourcing Contracts: Multi-year service contracts with local governments and private junior high schools for outsourcing of school club activities. Contracts with 24 municipalities and 8 private junior high schools for fiscal year 2026. (Q1 2026 social business revenue: ¥791M, +24.1% YoY; FY2025 social business sales: ¥3,168.3M, +32.8% YoY.)
3. School Physical Education Support Services: Per-session fees for swimming lesson support and other physical education classes dispatched to public schools (e.g., 1,757 sessions across 43 elementary schools in Fukuoka City for FY2026, +62% YoY).
4. After-School Day Service Fees (LEIF/FLEI/ILFE): Recurring fees from after-school day service ("放課後等デイサービス") for children with developmental needs, including sports therapy (LEIF), movement-learning support (FLEI), and independent learning support (ILFE). 29 facilities nationwide as of May 2026.
5. Corporate Sports Events & Workshop Fees: One-off and recurring fees for corporate sports events, executive workshops, employee wellness events, and CSR/paralympic speaking engagements.
6. Healthcare Exercise Programs: Fees from health promotion exercise programs for elderly citizens, conducted at community centers and elderly care facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Leifras operates a national network of approximately 4,500 children's sports schools across Japan in 13 sport categories (~70,700 members), alongside a social business segment that includes school club activity outsourcing for municipalities, after-school daycare services for children with developmental needs (LEIF/FLEI/ILFE), elementary school physical education support, and elderly healthcare exercise programs. The company licenses its proprietary 'Milabo' non-cognitive skill measurement platform and a 'Recognize, Praise, Encourage, Inspire' coaching methodology developed through joint research with Japanese universities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Liberta Soccer School (リベルタサッカースクール): Flagship children's soccer school brand under Leifras Sports School.
• Baseball School Porte (ベースボールスクール ポルテ)
• Basketball School Heartz (バスケットボールスクールハーツ)
• Terios Athletic School (テリオス アスレチックスクール)
• JJMIX (多種目スポーツスクール JJMIX)
• Kokoro Kendo School (こころ 剣道スクール)
• Cuore Rhythmic-Karate School (リズミックカラテ クオレ)
• Prima Stella Tennis School (テニススクールプリマステラ)
• Lugina Girls Sports School (ルジーナ ガールズスポーツスクール)
• Lumisee Volleyball School (バレーボールスクールルミゼ)
• Fleur Cheer Dance School (チアダンススクール フルール)
• Couleur Dance School (ダンススクール クルール)
• Allage Table Tennis School (卓球スクール アラージ)
• L-Spo (エルスポ)
• D-UNLOCK (1v1 DRIBBLE ACADEMY D-UNLOCK)
• LEIF (放課後等デイサービス「LEIF」)
• FLEI (フレイ)
• ILFE (イルフェ)
• SIX SHOOT (シックスシュート)
• Blaublitz Akita × Liberta Soccer School

Products and services

• Leifras Multi-Sport Schools (Liberta Soccer, Baseball School Porte, Basketball School Heartz, etc.) Subscription-based children's sports schools across 13 sport categories (soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, kendo, karate, dance, volleyball, cheer dance, athletics, multi-sport, table tennis, girls' sports) operating in ~4,500 schools across all 47 prefectures with approximately 70,700 members. Designed for children and families seeking structured sports education with non-cognitive skill development.
• L-Spo Preschool Multi-Sport School Multi-sport school for preschoolers and early elementary students, monthly fee JPY 4,800, designed as a customer-pipeline feeder into the existing 13 sports schools.
• School Club Activity Outsourcing Multi-year outsourcing contracts with municipal governments and private junior high schools for managing school club activities, with 24 municipalities and 8 private junior high schools contracted for FY2026. Targeted at Boards of Education addressing Japan's MEXT 2026–2031 Reform Implementation Period.
• After-School Day Service 'LEIF' Recurring after-school day service providing soccer-based sports therapy for children with developmental characteristics, operating 29 facilities nationwide as of May 2026.
• FLEI Movement-Learning Support Movement-based learning support service for children with developmental needs, launched in 2026 in Miyagi Prefecture.
• ILFE Independent Learning Support

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% local government retention rate (repeat rate)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered m&a acquisition target (100% acquisition), major ip co-branding (tournament), flagship strategic partnership (3-year official partnership in sports active partner program), strategic (3-year talent pipeline), major product partnership, flagship product partnership, strategic (policy network), post-ipo m&a partner (first post-ipo deal), major regional soccer alliance, social-impact partnership, major brand alliance, regional brand alliance, core r&d partnership and r&d partnership.

• Swift Japan Co., Ltd. (SWIFT JAPAN Co., Ltd.)m&a acquisition target (100% acquisition)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Stock transfer agreement to acquire 100% of equity interests in Swift Japan for approximately JPY 454.6 million (closing July 1, 2026). Adds licensed nurseries in education-focused Nagoya districts to extend customer reach from infancy onward; Leifras's sports-based non-cognitive skill methodology will be offered as extracurricular service.
• BLUELOCK (Kodansha / 「ブルーロック」製作委員会)major ip co-branding (tournament)GTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2026Official collaboration for "SIX SHOOT PREMIERE 0 official collaboration with BLUELOCK" — inaugural premier tournament for the SIX SHOOT shooting-focused soccer competition on August 10, 2026. Leverages the globally popular soccer manga/anime IP (50M+ copies) to reach youth audiences.
• Tokai Sports Co., Ltd. (株式会社東海スポーツ)m&a acquisition target (100% acquisition)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Stock transfer agreement to acquire 100% of equity interests in Tokai Sports, effective June 1, 2026. Adds ~1,200 sports school members and ~20 affiliated kindergartens/daycare centers in Nagoya/Owariasahi areas. Phase 2 of roll-up strategy.
• Japan Sport Association (JSPO)flagship strategic partnership (3-year official partnership in sports active partner program)GTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Three-year official partnership agreement (April 2026 – March 2029) under JSPO's Sports Active Partner Program. Signing ceremony held April 3, 2026 at JSPO headquarters. Provides access to JSPO Selection Program and network to promote non-cognitive skill development among youth sports participants.
• Sanko Gakuen Educational Corporationstrategic (3-year talent pipeline)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Comprehensive partnership agreement effective April 1, 2026 to develop next-generation sports business talent. Includes internships, sports school operations, and recruiting/employment collaboration to address Japan's sports instructor shortage.
• TRAVISTA Co., Ltd.major product partnershipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Partnership to launch a dribbling school in Japan in spring 2026, aiming to create the largest dribbling school utilizing Travista's methodology (including IP rights and training programs) and Leifras's nationwide infrastructure.
• Masakazu Okabe (Dribble Designer)flagship product partnershipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Co-developed "1v1 DRIBBLE ACADEMY D-UNLOCK" based on Okabe's "99% Unstoppable Dribble Theory" (150,000-word curriculum). Leifras systemized and standardized the methodology, opening at 6 Tokyo-area schools in June 2026 with plans for nationwide scaling across ~4,500 locations.
• Nippon Sport Policy Commission (NSPC)strategic (policy network)Others · 18 March 2026Supporting corporate partner membership providing timely access to sports policy information and network with government/related organizations to support transition of school club activities from schools to local communities.
• Well Resources Co., Ltd.post-ipo m&a partner (first post-ipo deal)Strategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2026Business transfer agreement to acquire four child development support and after-school daycare facilities in Miyagi Prefecture (closing May 2026). First post-IPO M&A deal; supports social business segment expansion in Northeast Japan.
• Blaublitz Akita Sports Networkmajor regional soccer allianceStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026School partner agreement to launch "Blaublitz Akita × Liberta Soccer School" in Odate City, Akita Prefecture (April 1, 2026). Leifras acquired and operates Blaublitz Akita Soccer School Odate Branch — first entry into Akita Prefecture, expanding to 46/47 prefectures.
• Tachibana Gakuen Educational Corporationsocial-impact partnershipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2025Memorandum of understanding with Tachibana Gakuen and Matsumoto Co., Ltd. to launch a project addressing school refusal in Japan. Plans to start in Fukuoka Prefecture and expand nationwide/internationally (including the US).
• Matsumoto Co., Ltd.social-impact partnershipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 December 2025Third party to the MOU with Tachibana Gakuen and Leifras to address school refusal via sports and education expertise in Japan.
• Fukuoka SoftBank Hawksmajor brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCo-operated "Porte × Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Baseball School" — joint baseball school leveraging SoftBank's brand strength.
• Chiba Lotte Marinesmajor brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCo-operated "Baseball School Porte × Marines Baseball Academy" — joint baseball school leveraging Lotte's professional franchise.
• Hanshin Tigersmajor brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCo-operated "Porte × Tigers Academy Baseball School" with Hanshin Tigers. Hanshin coaches regularly conduct instructor training seminars for Leifras staff (e.g., June 2026 with 25 Porte instructors).
• Chiba Jets Funabashimajor brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOperates Chiba Jets Funabashi certified Basketball School Heartz.
• Kagoshima United FCmajor brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOperates "Kagoshima United FC × Liberta Soccer School" jointly with J.League club.
• Kagawa Olive Guynersregional brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerProfessional baseball team partnership for joint youth baseball programming.
• Ehime Mandarin Piratesregional brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerProfessional baseball team partnership for joint youth baseball programming.
• Tokushima Indigo Socksregional brand allianceOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerProfessional baseball team partnership for joint youth baseball programming.
• Kyushu Sangyo Universitycore r&d partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research partner for non-cognitive skill measurement — co-developed the proprietary Milabo system for evaluating sports-based education outcomes.
• International Budo Universityr&d partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research partner focused on sports injury prevention and safety management in sports schools.
• Tsukuba Universityr&d partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research partner focused on child developmental psychology and educational psychology applied to coaching methodology.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Renaissance Inc. One of Japan's largest sports club operators (Renaissance, JoyFit, MEGALOS brands) running hundreds of sports schools and fitness clubs nationwide. Directly comparable to Leifras as a multi-sport instruction provider competing for the same children-and-family demographic in Japan's sports school market.
• Tops Co., Ltd. (Tops Sports): Specializes in children's swimming and gymnastics schools across Japan, with strong overlap to Leifras's early-childhood multi-sport offering. Direct competitor in the same niche of structured, branded sports instruction for kids.
• NAS Co., Ltd. (Nippon Athletic Service): Operates 'NAS Sports Club' and 'NEX Sports' branded sports schools across Japan, focusing on children's swimming, gymnastics, and ball sports. Directly comparable to Leifras's multi-sport subscription school model.

Broad incumbents

• Konami Sports (Konami Group): Operates the well-known 'Konami Sports Club' and 'Esforta' chains across Japan, including children's sports programs and swimming schools. A broad incumbent with deeper capital and a longer-tenured brand, competing with Leifras in children's multi-sport instruction.
• Central Sports Co., Ltd. Long-standing Japanese sports club operator (Central Sports, Gold's Gym Japan licensee) with extensive children's swim school and school-activity support operations. Comparable business mix of consumer sports schools plus B2G physical education services.
• AEON Sports Club (AEON Enjoy Sports): Sports club subsidiary of AEON Group operating large-scale sports schools and gymnastics programs nationwide. Broader retail parent provides scale advantages that overlap with Leifras's sports-school and after-school daycare footprint.
• Benesse Corporation: Major Japanese education and child-care services group with broad portfolio including after-school programs, correspondence education, and parenting support. Comparable to Leifras's social/education business and parenting-content operations, though with a different primary focus on academic education.
• RIZAP Group (RIZAP Holdings): Diversified wellness group operating sports gyms, personal training, and sports-related businesses across Japan. Comparable to Leifras's corporate wellness, healthcare exercise, and elderly fitness programs under a broader consumer-wellness umbrella.
• Gakken Holdings: Japanese education group spanning classroom instruction, publishing, after-school learning ('Gakken Classroom'), and elderly care services. Comparable to Leifras's curriculum-development, vocational counseling, and after-school learning segments via a complementary education-services lens.

Emerging players

• Poppins Holdings (Kids Duo, Poppins): Operates after-school daycare ('放課後等デイサービス'), nursery, and English-language education programs for children in Japan. Directly comparable to Leifras's LEIF/FLEI/ILFE after-school daycare segment and newly acquired Swift Japan nursery operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Leifras0828
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@usukicable
• Facebookfacebook.com/leifras.official
• Instagraminstagram.com/unlock_1v1_academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leifras