2025/05/08
Our company is conducting various activities to realize a sustainable society. As part of this, on April 2nd, our company's Judo held a judo class for children from three facilities of the social welfare corporation Sowa Fukushikai (Higashiura-cho, Chita-gun, Aichi Prefecture). Approximately 30 children aged 1 to 18 participated from the children's home "Kaze no Iro" (Color of the Wind), the infant home "Nami Usagi" and the facility for disabled children "Toy BOX".
The impetus for this event was the result of an internal event held in January called "Children's goods recycling fair". When our company members visited the facility to donate items collected within the company, the staff told us, "At our facility, we focus on activities that help people find irreplaceable experiences and lifelong hobbies." Ryota Isomura (Judo), who accompanied us, was warmly welcomed by the children, whom he met for the first time, and while enjoying interacting with them, he wondered, "Is there something we can do?" He then discussed with other members of Judo and the facility, saying, "I want to convey the appeal of judo, which I've been practicing since I was three years old," and came up with this plan. He made preparations while working on other tasks and practicing judo, and finally made it a reality.
当日は、5名の柔道部員が参加し、様々なプログラムを実施しました。まず、柔道部員が率先して大きな声を出し、参加者全員で元気に準備運動。次に子どもたちに畳に慣れてもらうため、畳の上をゴロゴロ転がってもらいました。柔道の帯を使った「しっぽ取りゲーム」では、子どもたちが全力疾走！ その後も、「動物じゃんけん」や「柔道部のお兄ちゃんをみんなでひっくり返してみよう！」、日常生活でも役立つ「受け身」の練習など、子どもたちは楽しそうな声を上げながら、ずっと夢中になって動き回っていました。
また、子どもたちに実際の柔道を知ってもらおうと、柔道部員が試合さながらに技を披露すると、「うぉー！」「すごーい！」と大きな歓声が。続く、柔道技の基本「大外刈り」体験で、子どもたちや職員さんが屈強な柔道部員を見事に倒すと、会場はさらに大きな歓声と拍手に包まれました。
Participating children commented, "It was my first time doing judo, but it was fun!" and "It was cool when (staff member) threw Judo member!" Meanwhile, Judo said, "Seeing the kids having fun made me smile too. I want to continue spreading the appeal of judo in various places," and it seemed they found a new sense of accomplishment in this experience that was different from their usual practice.
We will continue to interact with the children at this facility as "dependable adults and good friends in the community." Our company will continue to deepen our ties with the local community through various activities and strive to make a wide range of contributions to society.