Hitotohito × Jiyu Gakuen "Accelerated Professional": Providing Internship Opportunities for High School Students in Baseball and Basketball Sports Event Management

Hitotohito Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tetsuya Matsumoto; hereinafter, including group companies, "Hitotohito"; https://hitotohito-hd.co.jp/) endorsed the unique educational program "Accelerated Professional" implemented by Jiyu Gakuen (Higashikurume City, Tokyo; hereinafter "Jiyu Gakuen"). For approximately four months, from October 29, 2025, to February 21, 2026, a total of eight times, four second and third-year high school students were provided with internship opportunities in sports event operations managed by Hitotohito. Hitotohito brings together the power of people from a talent pool of over 12,000 individuals (*1) and is involved in the operation and support of various competitions, including professional baseball. This initiative was implemented with the aim of creating opportunities for high school students, who will lead the future sports industry, to experience the behind-the-scenes aspects and appeal of the industry through game operations, thereby acquiring diverse perspectives. Furthermore, with the desire to "contribute to solving issues such as talent shortages and difficulties in knowledge transfer by increasing the number of young people involved in the sports industry," Hitotohito is committed to nurturing and producing the next generation of talent through the active recruitment of young people, including students. The provision of this internship is part of such efforts. During the internship, students gained practical experience supporting sports events, such as guiding customers and setting up equipment at baseball and basketball venues. For the participating students, all of whom played a role in supporting safe and smooth event operations as part of the game management team, it was an opportunity to cultivate the importance of teamwork and the judgment and responsiveness required on-site. (*1) As of November 2025. Counts talent who received salary payments in the past 12 months. ■ Presentation content at the "Learning Sharing Session (Mana Kore)" as the culmination of the "Accelerated Professional" program From March 7 to 8, 2026, a student-led "Learning Sharing Session (Mana Kore)" was held at the Jiyu Gakuen campus. This was an opportunity for students to present and share what they had learned, including through the "Accelerated Professional" program. Students who experienced the internship at Hitotohito shared their experiences, expressing the sense of fulfillment they felt as supporters of athletes and the lessons they learned, which they had not felt during regular sports spectating. Comments included, "It became an opportunity to confront my future vision" and "I learned that sports is a field where many people's hearts are moved by the power of people." Students participating in the internship presenting at Mana Kore ■ Ms. Y (2nd-year high school student) who participated in the internship "I decided to participate in the internship because 'I love sports,' and actually getting involved behind the scenes, I was once again deeply moved by how 'sports truly move people's hearts and actions.' Becoming a behind-the-scenes staff member and building the venue was much harder than I imagined, and I struggled a lot. However, I was very happy when customers thanked me, or when senior staff members gave me advice or talked to me. Each experience contributed to my own growth." ■ Ms. O (2nd-year high school student) who participated in the internship "Through the actual game operations experience during the internship, my interest in sports events significantly increased. It became an opportunity to confront my future vision of 'wanting to work where I can support someone,' which had been vague until then." ■ Ms. E (3rd-year high school student) who participated in the internship "Until now, I often visited already completed stadiums, so I took the well-prepared environment on game day for granted. However, through the experience of carefully checking each task during venue setup, I strongly felt the desire to create an environment where visitors can watch comfortably and safely. Through the internship, I realized that 'sports are made by the power of people,' and I now 'want to be involved in supporting sports, such as event management, in the future.'" ■ Ms. Y (3rd-year high school student) who participated in the internship "During the internship, I experienced various tasks and keenly felt that 'events are formed by the connection of individual roles that are not visible on the surface.' In addition, many of the people who were giving instructions on-site and making flexible decisions were close to my age, which was very inspiring. Through the internship at Hitotohito, I was able to concretely realize the importance and fulfillment of roles that support people and organizations. I intend to challenge myself in management-related work, utilizing the coordination skills, sense of responsibility, and teamwork approach I learned, no matter which field I pursue in the future."