Translation
Sep 27, 2018
Chugai Sponsors “2018 Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Tokyo”
-- the World Champion U.S. National Team Participates in One of the Largest International Wheelchair Softball Tournaments in Japan--
TOKYO, September 27, 2018 -- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.(TOKYO: 4519) announced today it will continue to be the title sponsor of “2018 Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Tokyo” to be held on October 6 and 7, 2018 in Koto-ku, Tokyo following the last year.
Since beginning its sponsorship for the Japanese Para-Sports Association in September 2013, Chugai has been dedicated to raising recognition and promoting dissemination of para-sports by sponsoring and supporting various sports tournaments and conducting educational events for the general public and employees. The company has decided to cooperate in running the 2018 Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Tokyo, one of the largest international tournaments in this field, following the last year through measures including encouraging the participation of employees as volunteers.
The greatest attraction of wheelchair softball is that men and women of all ages and nationalities can compete together on the same field regardless of physical disabilities. The 2018 Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Tokyo hosts a range of fun events including a tournament for local teams, games with Japan’s wheelchair softball national team, the World Champion U.S. national team and Ghana national team, as well as opportunities for visitors to gain some first-hand experience.
Ms. Asuka Kuramochi, a former member of the idol group AKB48 who is currently active as an actress and MC, will appear as a special guest to throw the ceremonial first pitch in the Japan-U.S. friendly game. The game is scheduled to start at 15:00 on October 6.
Overview of the Tournament
Dates: Sat. October 6 and Sun. October 7, 2018 from 9:00 to 17:00, rain or shine
Venue: The Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park Special Site
(3-8-35 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo)
Admission: Free
Participating teams (planned):
Club teams in Japan, the national teams of Japan, U.S. and Ghana
Contents:
Tournament-style games for local teams, international friendly games with
national teams,and events for visitors to experience wheelchair softball
Organizer: Kanto Wheelchair Softball Association
https://www.kanto-wheelchairsoftball.com/ (Japanese only)
Support: Japan Wheelchair Softball Association
Sponsors: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and others
*For the Tournament schedule and other information, see the special website by the Kanto Wheelchair Association, the organizer: https://www.kanto-wheelchairsoftball.com/special(Japanese only)
About Wheelchair Softball
Wheelchair softball is a ten-a-side wheelchair sport that is basically played by conforming to the official rules of slow pitch softball. It has a history of close to 50 years in the U.S. where it has become a popular sport. It is also rapidly becoming widespread in Japan since the Japan Wheelchair Softball Association was established in 2012. Club teams have been formed successively throughout Japan, including Hokkaido, Miyagi, Gunma, Tokyo, Saitama, Yokohama, Kansai, Tokai, Hiroshima, Kitakyushu and Kagoshima, helping attract attention as a “barrier-free” sport that anyone can enjoy.
Things to Note about the Tournament
Top players from both Japan and overseas will gather at this tournament to mesmerize the audience with their powerful games of hitting, running and pitching while sitting on a wheelchair.
Special events are planned for visitors on October 6. Participants can experience the powerful excitement and fun of wheelchair softball by actually playing games on sports-specific wheelchairs.
Contact:
For Media
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Media Relations Group, Corporate Communications Dept.,
Tomoko Shimizu
Tel: +81-3-3273-0881
E-mail: pr@chugai-pharm.co.jp
For Investors
Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
Investor Relations Group, Corporate Communications Dept.,
Toshiya Sasai
Tel: +81-3-3273-0554
E-mail: ir@chugai-pharm.co.jp
