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.
On the day, five Judo participated and carried out a variety of programs. First, Judo took the initiative, shouting loudly, and all the participants did energetic warm-up exercises. Next, to help the children get used to the tatami mats, they rolled around on them. In the "tail-catching game" using judo belts, the children sprinted at full speed! Afterwards, the children continued to play "Animal rock-paper-scissors" and "Let's all try to flip the Judo member over!", as well as practicing "ukemi," a technique that is useful in everyday life. The children were engrossed in the activities, shouting with joy, and moving around engrossed the whole time.
In order to let the children learn about real judo, Judo demonstrated their techniques as if they were in a match, drawing loud cheers of "Wow!" and "Amazing!". Next, in an experience of the basic judo technique "O-soto-gari," the children and staff successfully defeated the strong Judo, drawing even louder cheers and applause from the venue.
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.