[Creating the Future of Baseball from Hokkaido] Three Parties—Independent, Social, and Corporate—Conclude 'Partnership Agreement'
Three organizations, including Shibetsu Samurai Blades, HORNETS, and Kokaji Gumi, signed a partnership agreement to support baseball players' careers and regional revitalization in Hokkaido. The signing ceremony will be held on April 20, 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 18:42
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:29 (5h 46m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 00:40 (216h 10m after Collected)
Three parties—KAMIKAWA Shibetsu Samurai Blades (Representative: Daisuke Sugawara), NPO Hokkaido Baseball Club HORNETS (Representative: Shun Iwahara), and Kokaji Gumi Co., Ltd. (CEO: Yosuke Kokaji)—will conclude a partnership agreement aimed at regional revitalization through baseball in Hokkaido and the sustainable career building of players. Upon the conclusion of this agreement, a press conference and signing ceremony will be held on Monday, April 20, 2026, at 'Takasago on the 3rd floor of Sapporo Park Hotel' (1-1 Minami 10-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo).
**■ Background and Purpose of this Agreement**
Currently, many baseball players face challenges between continuing to play and building a career after retirement. This agreement aims to achieve the following through collaboration among three different categories: an independent league in the northern Hokkaido area, a social club team in the Sapporo area, and a corporate team.
**Building a Career Cycle:** From a challenging environment aiming for the NPB (Shibetsu), to a stable athletic life in a metropolitan area (HORNETS), and finally lifelong career building (Kokaji Gumi), we provide the optimal environment according to the player's life stage.
**Preventing Brain Drain:** We prevent the outflow of excellent sports talent outside of Hokkaido by presenting various employment and relocation options within the prefecture.
**Revitalizing the Regional Economy:** We will implement community contribution activities, such as business matching between the Sapporo area and Shibetsu/depopulated areas, and joint baseball clinics.
**■ Press Conference and Signing Ceremony Overview**
**Date and Time:** Monday, April 20, 2026, 15:00 - 16:00 (Reception starts at 14:30)
**Venue:** Sapporo Park Hotel '3rd Floor Takasago'
**Address:** 1-1 Minami 10-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
**Speakers:**
- KAMIKAWA Shibetsu Samurai Blades Representative: Daisuke Sugawara
- NPO Hokkaido Baseball Club HORNETS Representative: Shun Iwahara
- Kokaji Gumi Co., Ltd. Representative: Yosuke Kokaji
**MC:** Atsushi Honma
**Contents:** Explanation of agreement overview, signing ceremony, representatives' comments, photo session, Q&A
**■ Main Initiatives through Collaboration (KPIs)**
**Producing Players:** Career step support for 1 or more people in 2 years, and 3 or more people in 5 years
**Technical Exchange:** Joint practices (twice a year), practice games (2 games a year)
**Business:** Matching sponsor contracts (10 or more in 5 years)
**Community Contribution:** Regular joint baseball clinics (once a year)
**■ Press Conference Coverage Application Guide
**■ Background and Purpose of this Agreement**
Currently, many baseball players face challenges between continuing to play and building a career after retirement. This agreement aims to achieve the following through collaboration among three different categories: an independent league in the northern Hokkaido area, a social club team in the Sapporo area, and a corporate team.
**Building a Career Cycle:** From a challenging environment aiming for the NPB (Shibetsu), to a stable athletic life in a metropolitan area (HORNETS), and finally lifelong career building (Kokaji Gumi), we provide the optimal environment according to the player's life stage.
**Preventing Brain Drain:** We prevent the outflow of excellent sports talent outside of Hokkaido by presenting various employment and relocation options within the prefecture.
**Revitalizing the Regional Economy:** We will implement community contribution activities, such as business matching between the Sapporo area and Shibetsu/depopulated areas, and joint baseball clinics.
**■ Press Conference and Signing Ceremony Overview**
**Date and Time:** Monday, April 20, 2026, 15:00 - 16:00 (Reception starts at 14:30)
**Venue:** Sapporo Park Hotel '3rd Floor Takasago'
**Address:** 1-1 Minami 10-jo Nishi 3-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo
**Speakers:**
- KAMIKAWA Shibetsu Samurai Blades Representative: Daisuke Sugawara
- NPO Hokkaido Baseball Club HORNETS Representative: Shun Iwahara
- Kokaji Gumi Co., Ltd. Representative: Yosuke Kokaji
**MC:** Atsushi Honma
**Contents:** Explanation of agreement overview, signing ceremony, representatives' comments, photo session, Q&A
**■ Main Initiatives through Collaboration (KPIs)**
**Producing Players:** Career step support for 1 or more people in 2 years, and 3 or more people in 5 years
**Technical Exchange:** Joint practices (twice a year), practice games (2 games a year)
**Business:** Matching sponsor contracts (10 or more in 5 years)
**Community Contribution:** Regular joint baseball clinics (once a year)
**■ Press Conference Coverage Application Guide
FAQ
Which three organizations are participating in this partnership agreement?
KAMIKAWA・Shibetsu Sam Live Rays, NPO Hokkaido Baseball Club HORNETS, and Kobukuro Co., Ltd.
What is the main purpose of this agreement?
The main purpose is regional revitalization through baseball in Hokkaido and sustainable career development (second career support) for players.
What are the specific goals (KPIs) of this initiative?
The goals include supporting at least one career step-up within two years, holding joint practices twice a year, and organizing a joint baseball clinic once a year.