◇Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 7/5 Hey! Say! JUMP's Yaotome Hikaru will be in attendance

Rakuten Eagles have announced that Hikaru Yaotome of Hey! Say! JUMP, who hails from Miyagi Prefecture, will throw the ceremonial first pitch at their game against Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on Sunday, July 5th. In addition to the ceremonial first pitch, he is also scheduled to appear on stage before the game and at events between inning.

▼Comment from Hikaru Yaotome▼
"I'm so happy to be able to participate in cheering on Rakuten Eagles in my hometown again in 2026! It's going to be a hot day, but let's all take care of our health so we can enjoy ourselves to the fullest, and I look forward to seeing you at the stadium!!"

◇Concluded a "Basic Agreement on Cooperation" with the Faculty of Sports and Wellness, Saitama Seibu Lions Rikkyo University

Saitama Seibu Lions announced on Thursday, April 23 that, as part of its local community activities "L-FRIENDS," it signed a "Basic Agreement on Collaboration" with the Faculty of Sports and Wellness at Rikkyo University.

This agreement aims to contribute to the development of local communities and the improvement of citizens' welfare by collaborating on projects by effectively utilizing the human and intellectual resources of Saitama Seibu Lions and the Faculty of Sports Wellness at Rikkyo University.

Specifically, the program focuses on areas such as regional development, sports promotion, and educational promotion, aiming to contribute to the local community and society by integrating activities rooted in the Saitama Seibu Lions with the academic expertise of Rikkyo University's Faculty of Sports Wellness that realizes the educational philosophy of "For the joy of life for all."

▼ Specific Initiatives ▼
・Joint development of student discount ticket sales and marketing strategies within the university in collaboration with undergraduates
・Sportsmanship education projects for teams, academies, The Lions juniors, and other partner organizations
・Planning and managing events related to the team
・Sports experience events on the Rikkyo University campus
・Measurement of SRO (Social Investment Value, etc.) for activities carried out by the team

▼ Comment from Tsuyoshi Okumura, President and CEO of Saitama Seibu Lions Co., Ltd.▼
"We are honored to have signed a partnership agreement with the Faculty of Sports and Wellness at Rikkyo University. As part of our long-standing local community initiative 'L-FRIENDS,' we are confident that by combining the university's expertise with our own community activities, we can contribute to regional development. In particular, we aim to actively reflect the unique sensibilities of our students in marketing strategies and event planning, and together create new value for the local community. We hope this partnership will also foster leaders who will lead the future and make a significant contribution to revitalizing local communities.

▼ Comment from Haruyasu Kato, Dean of the School of Sports Wellness, Rikkyo University ▼
"We are very pleased to have built a partnership with Saitama Seibu Lions, which is deeply rooted in the community and continues to deliver the excitement of sports. Our faculty upholds the philosophy of 'For the joy of life for everyone,' pursuing sports wellness from multiple perspectives. Through this agreement, students will gain valuable opportunities to experience practical learning in professional sports, such as learning marketing and event management and experiencing top sports firsthand, nurturing living intelligence. By combining the expertise and resources of both sides, we will create new value for local communities through the power of sports, while also striving to nurture the next generation of leaders.

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