Overcoming Barriers of Distance and Physical Limitations with Technology, Connecting Through Sports at the "2026 Biogen Cup Remote Sports Tournament"

Biogen Japan K.K. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Koyo Den), OriHime Laboratory Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representatives: Kentaro Yoshifuji, Masahiro Sasayama), and the Online Boccia Association (Location: Toda City, Saitama Prefecture; Representative: Hideharu Okawa) are pleased to announce the finals of the "2026 Biogen Cup Remote Sports Tournament," a sports competition that allows participation remotely from distant locations such as homes or hospital rooms, even for those who find it difficult to move their bodies. The finals for OriHime Soccer are scheduled for July 18, 2026 (Sat), and for Online Boccia on October 10 (Sat) and October 11 (Sun), 2026.

The tournament aims to allow participants to experience the "joy of playing sports" by cooperating as a team and engaging in heated matches while strategizing, despite facing various challenges. 2026 is a year of heightened global interest in soccer, and this year's OriHime Soccer finals will be held at "IAI Stadium Nihondaira," the home stadium of J.League team Shimizu S-Pulse, located in the soccer-centric city of Shizuoka.

A total of 4 teams, who have advanced through the preliminary rounds held since June, will compete in the OriHime Soccer finals. Participants are expected to operate OriHime robots located at the venue remotely from their homes or hospital rooms.

[OriHime Soccer Finals: Saturday, July 18, 2026, Venue: IAI Stadium Nihondaira]

The OriHime Soccer finals will be held at "IAI Stadium Nihondaira," the home stadium of J.League team Shimizu S-Pulse. This stadium is a symbolic sporting facility in "Shizuoka Shimizu, the City of Soccer," beloved for its scenic views overlooking Mt. Fuji and Shimizu Port. Known for having "Japan's best pitch," it has won the J.League Awards Best Pitch Award a total of 9 times. In addition to J.League matches, it has hosted various soccer tournaments and finals, starting with the National High School Athletic Meet, and serves as the venue for the National Boys and Girls Grass Soccer Tournament finals every year.

On July 18, opportunities will be provided for players from the Shimizu S-Pulse academy to interact with remote participants by operating OriHime Carts from the venue.

This tournament is organized by Biogen Japan K.K., with the cooperation of OriHime Laboratory Inc., the Online Boccia Association, CAC Holdings Inc., and Shimizu S-Pulse. For the latest information, please refer to the official tournament webpage: https://orihime.orylab.com/biogen-cup2026/

Media representatives are welcome to cover the event! Please come to the finals venue to witness the passion of the athletes, which can be felt even through remote participation.

< Tournament Overview >

[OriHime Soccer Schedule] ■ Finals: Scheduled to be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at IAI Stadium Nihondaira

Practice Sessions for Participants: Held on the following dates 1st Session: May 12 (Tue), 18:00-19:30 (Completed) 2nd Session: May 27 (Wed), 18:00-19:30 (Completed)

Preliminary Rounds

1st Round: Thursday, June 11, 18:00-19:30 (Completed)

2nd Round: Thursday, June 25, 18:00-19:30 (Completed)

[Online Boccia Schedule] ■ Finals: Scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026, at CAC Boccia Court

Organizer: Biogen Japan K.K. ■ Cooperation: OriHime Laboratory Inc., Online Boccia Association,

CAC Holdings Inc., Shimizu S-Pulse ■ Eligibility: ➀ Individuals aged 29 or younger who face difficulties in participating in sports. ➁ Individuals who can operate devices either independently or with the assistance of a caregiver. ➂ Participation in the practice sessions allows for tournament entry.

2026 Tournament Official Webpage: https://orihime.orylab.com/biogen-cup2026/

< Schedule and Details of the "2026 Biogen Cup Remote Sports Tournament" >

Practice Sessions for Participants: Starting May 2026 These practice sessions are for individuals considering participation. Participants remotely experienced the two tournament events, "OriHime Soccer" and "Online Boccia," from their homes or hospital rooms, learning the rules and gameplay.

OriHime Soccer Preliminary Rounds: June 2026 After the practice sessions, players who decided to enter were divided into 6 teams (3 players per team) and competed in preliminary rounds to advance to the finals on July 18. A total of 4 teams that won through the preliminaries are scheduled to advance to the finals. *Online Boccia preliminary rounds were not held.

Finals Teams compete remotely to determine the champion for each event.

Participants compete remotely from different locations across Japan, such as their homes or schools.

A notable feature of this tournament is the participation of individuals from various regions across Japan, including Iwate, Hyogo, and Kagoshima Prefectures. The heated matches, transcending regional boundaries, are a highlight of this remote event.

< About the Events >

The tournament features two events: "OriHime Soccer" and "Online Boccia."

After experiencing each event during the practice sessions, participants choose one event to enter for the main competition.

What is OriHime?

OriHime is a remotely operated avatar robot developed by OriHime Laboratory Inc. The approximately 23cm tall robot is equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker, and can be operated remotely from locations such as homes or schools via the internet using devices like PCs and tablets.

➀ "OriHime Soccer" using OriHime Cart

This event uses the "OriHime Cart," which is an OriHime robot mounted on a motorized cart. Players push a soccer ball around the field by colliding with it using the OriHime Cart, and the winner is determined by the number of goals scored.

2 Online Boccia

[Image] The machine used for Online Boccia is shown on the left. Participants compete by remotely operating the machine.

"Online Boccia" involves operating a boccia machine (a device similar to the ramp used in traditional boccia, but equipped with remote control) installed at the competition venue via the internet. This allows children with severe physical disabilities, who may have difficulty accessing the venue for traditional boccia, to participate from home. Participants can grasp the situation at the venue by viewing the machine and three overhead cameras installed at the venue via Zoom. While taking turns operating the Online Boccia machine, players adjust the ball's speed and angle for their throws. All operations of the Online Boccia machine can be done with a single click from a PC or tablet. Controllers designed for easy operation by individuals with motor impairments have also been developed, enabling participation in the game. The competition rules adhere to the official boccia rules, and this tournament will be conducted as a team match (3 players per team) according to official boccia rules.

[Finals Venue: CAC Boccia Court, Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026]

The finals of this tournament will be held at the CAC Boccia Court, located on the first floor of CAC Holdings Inc.'s headquarters. The CAC Boccia Court was established in 2019 by CAC Holdings as part of its CSR activities to promote the sport of boccia. It is constructed with Taraflex (sports flooring material), meeting the same specifications as courts used in international competitions.

[Image] The CAC Boccia Court on the first floor of CAC Holdings Inc.'s headquarters, featuring a large monitor that displays the game board in sync with ceiling cameras.

[About Biogen]

Since its founding in 1978, Biogen has been a leading global biotechnology company, pioneering innovative science to deliver life-changing therapies to patients and create value for shareholders and our communities. We apply our deep understanding of human biology and leverage diverse modalities to advance first-in-class therapies and treatment options that deliver superior outcomes. We take a bold, risk-taking approach, balancing return on investment to drive long-term growth.

Biogen Japan is the Japanese subsidiary of Biogen Inc., USA. As the Japanese arm of one of the world's oldest independent biotechnology companies, we have been operating in Japan since 2000. We are committed to providing innovative medicines and improved treatment environments to patients in Japan.

For information about Biogen Japan, please visit https://www.biogen.co.jp/, and our social media channels on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and LINE.

[About OriHime Laboratory]

With the philosophy of "Resolving human loneliness," OriHime Laboratory Inc. researches, develops, and provides services to enrich the options for "people with mobility challenges" who find it difficult to go out due to reasons such as disability, illness, nursing care, or childcare.

Services Offered:

The avatar robot "OriHime," which shares a "sense of presence" while being remotely operated.

The avatar robot "OriHime-D," enabling physical and social participation through telework.

The communication device "OriHime eye+Switch," allowing communication with only slight movements of the eyes or fingertips, even for individuals with severe disabilities.

"Avatar Robot Cafe DAWN ver.β," where individuals with mobility challenges act as "pilots" to remotely operate OriHime and OriHime-D robots for customer service tasks such as taking orders, serving food, and interacting with customers.

For more details, please visit the official website of OriHime Laboratory Inc.: https://orylab.com/

[About the Online Boccia Association]

By enjoying boccia online, we provide means, information, and opportunities for everyone to enjoy together, regardless of age, ability, nationality, or location. We regularly hold practice sessions every week that are open to anyone, regardless of disability.

Slogan: "Don't give up on fun!!" Established on March 26, 2021.

[About CAC Holdings]

As the holding company of the CAC Group, which has been expanding its IT services globally for 60 years since its founding in 1966 as Japan's first independent software specialist company. In recent years, we have also focused on creating new products and services utilizing the group's strength in AI technology, aiming to realize a sustainable and better future. As a way to express our gratitude to society and everyone who supports us, we, along with group companies including CAC Corporation, engage in activities to promote and support boccia, a sport for people with disabilities.

URL: https://www.cac-holdings.com/csr/boccia.html

[About Shimizu S-Pulse]

Founded in 1991 as a community club in Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture (now Shizuoka City), the team has participated in the J.League since its inception in 1993. The team name incorporates "S," the initial letters of "Soccer," "Shimizu," and "Shizuoka," combined with "PLUSE," meaning "heartbeat" in English, representing the excitement of the prefecture's soccer fans and the team's spirit. The three vertical stripes on the club emblem represent S-Pulse's philosophy of "Dream, Emotion, Pride," and the globe signifies the club's global reach, serving as an identity for those who love Shimizu S-Pulse.

[Inquiries from the General Public Regarding This Tournament]

For any questions regarding the tournament, please contact the organizing secretariat below. "Biogen Cup Remote Sports Tournament" Organizing Secretariat (within OriHime Laboratory Inc.)

orihime-sports@orylab.com