Shintaro Higashi is not just any judoka — he’s a bridge between judo and grappling, often speaking candidly about both arts. In his discussion about why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has eclipsed judo in popularity, he blends insight, frustration, and hope. Below is a more natural narrative, anchored by his own words, exploring his arguments and what they mean for the martial arts world.

Why BJJ’s Structure Picks Up Momentum

1. Space Efficiency & Mat Utilization

One of Higashi’s most repeated points is how BJJ scales better economically:

“You go into a dojo and you could have 40, 50 people rolling at once in a thousand square foot mat space area. But when you’re doing judo, you could probably have seven or eight people going at the same time, max 10 people.”

“The most significant advantage BJJ holds is space efficiency.”

Because BJJ can fill a mat with more active participants, “revenue per square foot” becomes more favorable for BJJ gyms. Judo’s demand for safe throw zones, more open space per person, and risk management means fewer can train simultaneously, making it harder to scale in small facilities.

Instructor Oversight & Feedback Loops

Higashi emphasizes how ground work changes the teacher-student dynamic:

“When students are on the floor, instructors have ‘a bird’s eye view’ and can easily spot and praise good technique across the entire mat.”

On the flip side, in judo, the standing posture, movement, and frequent turnovers make monitoring all students at once more difficult. Thus, feedback becomes less frequent or direct, especially in larger classes.

The Allure of Small Successes

A central psychological insight from Higashi is that BJJ offers many “little successes” to keep students engaged:

“There’s a lot of little successes through the way.”

He contrasts this with judo, where beginners often struggle for long stretches just to land clean throws or master breakfalls:

“Beginners struggle to execute basic techniques.”

These micro-progressions — escaping guard, passing, advancing position — create a satisfying feedback loop that compels regular practitioners to stay.

Demographics & “Old Man Strength”

Higashi points out that BJJ tends to attract a slightly older demographic — people in their 30s, 40s — who may lose explosive power but retain isometric strength:

“When you get to an older age, you get much less explosive and you develop more isometric strength.”

This “old man strength” aligns well with grappling on the ground, where static tension and control often matter more than dynamic explosiveness. This gives BJJ a built-in appeal for adults who feel judo’s speed or power requirements are less forgiving.

Branding, Visibility & Accessibility

One of his sharper critiques focuses on visibility:

“In the US, you look at all these jiu-jitsu guys, they all speak English, they all have Instagram, they’re all doing YouTube.”

Higashi laments that judo does not always match that outreach:

“If you go to any town in the United States now you can see Jiu-Jitsu is very accessible. It’s not the same with Judo.”

Because BJJ instructors, champions, and content creators more actively brand themselves, the art appears more accessible to newcomers. Judo, meanwhile, often remains more traditional, less social-media-savvy, and less visible to mainstream audiences.

Tradition, Bureaucracy & Structural Friction

Probably the most emotionally charged aspect of Higashi’s critique is aimed at judo’s internal structures:

He recounts how a dedicated student eventually quit after repeatedly failing promotional requirements due to time or physical constraints.

He describes rigid ranking systems, mandatory Japanese terminology, and formal promotion hurdles as “unnecessary friction.”

These institutional barriers, in his view, block many from progressing or staying long term. He suggests that judo must modernize in its promotional systems and reduce bureaucratic overhead.

A Call to Adapt, Not Abandon

Despite his critiques, Higashi’s tone is not destructive. He frequently emphasizes his love for judo and the desire to see it thrive:

He believes judo’s challenges aren’t unfixable; rather, they require thoughtful evolution. By adopting safer training environments, creative marketing, and more open teaching philosophies, judo can reclaim ground.

He also argues that if judo becomes more approachable, BJJ practitioners would benefit — improving stand-up, grip work, posture, and throws.

Using his own words as the foundation, the picture Higashi paints is a complex but hopeful one. BJJ surged not purely because it is “better,” but because its structure, incentives, accessibility, and cultural branding align with modern growth models. Judo, with its venerable tradition, faces the harder path: preserving depth while shedding friction.