TOKYO, June 27, 2017 -- Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) announced today its decision to be the title sponsor of the “2017 Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Tokyo” to be held on October 7th and 8th in Koto-ku, Tokyo. The official name of the tournament will be the “Chugai Pharmaceutical 2017 Wheelchair Softball Tournament in Tokyo.”

Since beginning its sponsorship of 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 events for the general public and employees to raise awareness. With a view to further encouraging the para-sports, the company has decided to sponsor this tournament hosted by the “Kanto Wheelchair Softball Association (https://www.kanto-wheelchairsoftball.com/ *Japanese only).” Through the initiative, we hope that our contribution will help build an inclusive society regardless of one’s disability where everyone can play an active role based on their individuality and mutual respect for one another.

Started by the establishment of the “Japan Wheelchair Softball Association” in 2013, ten club teams for wheelchair softball were founded in Hokkaido, Kanto, Tokai, Kansai, and Kyushu, and the number of players continues to increase yearly. In recent years, the professional baseball teams “Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters” and “Saitama Seibu Lions” have become special supporters and are supporting the advancement and promoting dissemination of the sport. In the US, where the sport was born, it has a history of close to 50 years, and there are many teams affiliated with major league teams.

The greatest allure of wheelchair softball is that everybody can enjoy it on the same field regardless of disability, gender, age, or nationality. On the day of the tournament, in addition to tournament-style games, there will be an international friendly match between Japan and US representatives, and a hands-on wheelchair softball event is also scheduled. Chugai hopes that you will come to the venue to experience the fun and powerful excitement of the sport.

Highlights of the Event
Please join the event and report the excitement of the day widely.

1) Watch powerful games by both Japanese and American top players!
Visitors can watch the games closely and enjoy top level plays such as Koji Ishii, captain of Japan national team (NISSHIN FUDOSAN Company, Limited) and players of the American national team.

2) Experience the powerful excitement of wheelchair softball!
Special events are planned for visitors to ride a wheel chair and experience the hands-on match of wheelchair softball. We hope more and more people will enjoy the events and feel the power and fun of the sport.

[Official Tournament Website]
https://www.kanto-wheelchairsoftball.com/special (Japanese Only)

[Reference] Chugai Website CSR Information “Another Sport”
https://www.chugai-pharm.co.jp/csr/parasports/another_sport.html (Japanese Only)