Motorcycle Federation of Japan

What Motorcycle Federation of Japan does

Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ / 日本モーターサイクルスポーツ協会) is a General Incorporated Foundation (一般財団法人) established in 1961 and headquartered in Tsukiji, Tokyo. It is the sole FIM-recognized National Motorcycling Federation for Japan, holding a regulatory monopoly over official motorcycle sports — sanctioning national championships in six disciplines (road racing, motocross, trial, enduro, supermoto, and snowcross), certifying vehicles, parts, helmets, racing suits, and airbag protection equipment, and issuing licenses to riders, officials, and clubs. MFJ operates as a sports-governance and event-management organization rather than a technology company; its core infrastructure is a web-based licensing system, an event search portal, and an organizer application platform (mfj-members.jp), supported by a small staff of 11-50 employees.

MFJ is funded through a diversified, federated revenue model comprising annual licensing fees (riders, officials, clubs), per-event entry fees across national and regional championships, sustaining sponsorships from the four major Japanese motorcycle OEMs (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha) and equipment manufacturers (Bridgestone, Dunlop, Michelin, Arai, RS Taichi, D.I.D), and one-time certification fees for authorized vehicles and safety gear. Member clubs, circuit operators, and event organizers function as a distribution channel, while marketing is driven through the official website, social media, live championship events, and the annual MFJ MOTO AWARDS ceremony. The organization is governed by a president (currently Suzuki Tetsuo) and is supported by its series management partner MotoSports Promotion (MSP).

In 2021, MFJ completed a major corporate restructuring, brought regional operations in-house, and refreshed its digital platforms and brand identity to mark its 60th anniversary. In March 2024, it established a Women's Sports Division to broaden female participation, and it continues to invest in rider development programs (Road Race Academy) and entry-level initiatives (Kids Bike Festival, Enjoy Bike Race, Trial Beginner programs) to renew the participant base.

Name

Motorcycle Federation of Japan

Legal name

一般��回日本モーターサイクルスポーツ協会 (Japan Motorcycle Sports Association)

Website

https://mfj.or.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Motorcycle Federation of Japan (MFJ) is the FIM-recognized national governing body for motorcycle sports in Japan, sanctioning six national championships, licensing riders and clubs, certifying vehicles and safety equipment, and managing events across road racing, motocross, trial, enduro, supermoto, and snowcross.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motorcycle Sports Governance

NAICS

Racetracks (711212), Spectator Sports (7112)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorsports Sanctioning Bodies & Governing Organizations (MPAKAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Motorsports Series & Championships (Sanctioned Racing Calendars) (MPAKAGAA), Professional Sport Governing Bodies & League Sanctioning Authorities (MPAKAFAE)

Keywords

• Motorcycle sports governance
• National championship racing
• Rider licensing services
• Vehicle homologation certification
• Motorcycle racing federation

Headquarters

HQ city

Tsukiji

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. MFJ Licensing Fees: Revenue from issuing licenses to riders, officials, and clubs. License types include road racing, motocross, trial, enduro, supermoto, and snowmobile licenses with various grades.
2. Event Entry Fees: Revenue from entry fees for national championships, regional championships, and approved competitions across all motor sports disciplines.
3. Sponsorship and Supporting Member Fees: Revenue from supporting/associate members including major motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha), equipment manufacturers, and circuit operators who pay annual fees.
4. Authorization/Certification Fees: Fees charged for vehicle certification, parts certification, helmet certification, racing suit certification, and airbag registration services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MFJ governs motorcycle sports in Japan by organizing and sanctioning six national championship series (road racing, motocross, trial, enduro, supermoto, snowcross), issuing licenses to riders, officials, and clubs, certifying (homologating) vehicles and safety equipment, providing sports safety insurance, and running rider development programs. It operates as the FIM-recognized national federation, setting domestic competition rules aligned with FIM regulations and supporting Japan's participation in international motorcycle competition.

Product overview

MFJ is a sports governing body managing Japanese motorcycle racing. It does not offer a commercial product/platform in the traditional SaaS sense. Its services include organizing national championships across multiple motorcycle disciplines (road racing, motocross, trial, enduro, supermoto, snowcross), administering rider/official licensing, certifying vehicles/equipment, managing competition schedules/results, and operating member/club databases. The organization provides web-based systems for license applications, competition entries, event searches, and official wear sales, along with educational programs like the Road Race Academy. Its activities are structured around six national championship series, various regional championships, and international event coordination (FIM).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• All Japan Road Race Championship Series (全日本ロードレース選手権シリーズ) National road racing championship series featuring multiple classes including JSB1000, ST1000, ST600, and JP250, held at Japanese circuits such as Suzuka, Motegi, and SUGO. Open to licensed competitive road racers across Japan.
• D.I.D All Japan Motocross Championship Series (全日本モトクロス選手権シリーズ) National motocross championship series featuring classes IA1, IA2, IBOPEN, Ladies, and Junior across eight rounds at venues including HSR Kyushu, Offroad Village, and SUGO. Open to licensed motocross competitors in Japan.
• All Japan Trial Championship Series (全日本トライアル選手権シリーズ) National trials championship series with classes IAS, IA, IB, NA, and NB held at venues across Japan. Open to licensed trial competitors.
• All Japan Enduro Championship Series (全日本エンデューロ選手権シリーズ) National enduro championship series conducted across multiple regions in Japan. Open to licensed enduro competitors.
• All Japan Supermoto Championship (全日本スーパーモト選手権) National supermoto championship combining road and dirt racing on hybrid circuits across Japan. Open to licensed supermoto competitors.
• All Japan Snowcross Championship (全日本スノークロス選手権) National snowmobile racing championship held in winter conditions at northern Japan venues. Open to licensed snowmobile competitors.
• MFJ License System (MFJライセンスシステム) Web-based system for MFJ license applications, renewals, and management for riders, officials, and clubs. Annual membership required for competitive participation.
• MFJ Competition Web Application System (MFJ競技会WEB申請・報告システム) Online system for competition organizers to submit event applications, file reports, and manage sanctioned competitions. Used by event organizers and circuit operators.
• MFJ Event Search System (MFJイベント検索システム) Searchable online database for finding MFJ-authorized and approved events and competitions across Japan. Used by riders and clubs to locate sanctioned events.
• MFJ Homologation/Certification System (MFJ公認制度) Certification system for vehicles, parts, helmets, racing suits, and airbag protective equipment meeting MFJ competition safety standards. Available to manufacturers and participants seeking certified equipment.
• MFJ Sports Safety Insurance (スポーツ安全保険) Sports safety insurance programs for licensed MFJ members covering injury and funeral expenses, including injury insurance (傷害保険) and sudden death funeral expense insurance (突然死葬祭費用保険).
• Road Race Academy (ロードレースアカデミー) Youth rider development and training program for aspiring road racers, including entry-level training and progression pathways into competitive road racing.
• "Let's Start Motorcycle Sports" Programs (始めようモータースポーツ) Entry-level programs including Kids Bike Festival (親子バイク祭り), Enjoy Bike Race (エンジョイ！バイクレース), and Trial Beginner programs (はじめまして、トライアル) to promote initial motorcycle sports participation among beginners, families, and youth.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• FIM - Fédération Internationale de MotocyclismecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021FIM is the international governing body for motorcycling that recognizes MFJ as Japan's National Federation. MFJ participates in FIM world championships and follows FIM regulations.
• MotoSportsPromotion (MSP) / モトスポーツプロモーションcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MSP is the series management organization for All Japan motocross, trial, enduro, and snowmobile championships. They manage competition operations and event logistics.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (DMSB): Germany's FIM-recognized national federation for motorsports including motorcycle disciplines. Operates German national championships and licensing with a regulatory model parallel to MFJ.
• Real Federación Motociclista Española (RFME): Spain's FIM-recognized national motorcycle federation running Spanish national championships in road racing, motocross, trial, and enduro. Direct functional peer with similar discipline portfolio.
• Federazione Motociclistica Italiana (FMI): Italy's FIM-recognized national motorcycle federation, managing Italian national championships across road racing, motocross, trial, enduro, and supermoto. Direct functional peer with similar discipline breadth and rider base.
• Motorcycling Australia (MA): Motorcycling Australia is the FIM-recognized Australian national federation managing Australian motorcycle championships, licensing, and homologation — directly comparable to MFJ's mandate.
• American Motorcyclist Association (AMA): AMA is the FIM-recognized national federation for the United States, operating the same model as MFJ: national motocross/supercross championships, rider licensing, equipment homologation, and member services. Closest structural peer in terms of scale and product mix.
• Auto-Cycle Union (ACU): ACU is the UK FIM-recognized national motorcycle federation, organizing British motocross, trials, and enduro championships with a similar licensing and sanctioning model to MFJ.
• Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA): Canada's FIM-recognized national motorcycle federation, operating national championships and licensing systems with a structural model identical to MFJ, though smaller in scale.
• Fédération Française de Motocyclisme (FFM): France's FIM-recognized national motorcycle federation operating French national championships and licensing systems. Comparable scope, structure, and product offerings to MFJ.

Broad incumbents

• Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM): FIM is the international governing body for motorcycling that recognizes MFJ as Japan's national federation. Direct structural counterpart — MFJ operates under FIM authority for international competitions and applies FIM regulations domestically.

Others

• MotoSportsPromotion (MSP): MSP is a strategic partner of MFJ, serving as the series management organization for All Japan motocross, trial, enduro, and snowmobile championships. MSP executes competition operations and event logistics on MFJ's behalf.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mfjoffice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MFJofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/mfj.or.jp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Motorcycle Federation of Japan