Zero Regrets: "I Wish I'd Known Sooner." Hakuju Appointed 'Nutritional Education Partner' for Montedio Yamagata Academy!

"To realize human happiness through health" is the corporate philosophy of Hakuju Bio-Science Laboratory Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroyuki Hara), which supports people's healthy and affluent lives, and Plexus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture; President and CEO: Takahiro Ueno), also known as Hakuju Yamagata. We are pleased to announce our appointment as the 'Nutritional Education Partner' for the Montedio Yamagata Academy School, the youth organization of J2 League team Montedio Yamagata. Furthermore, starting in June, designated as the national 'Nutrition Month,' we will commence comprehensive support, including regular nutrition seminars, to broaden the future potential of the players.

'We don't want them to regret it later.' The earnest reality of athletes, observed through years of support.

For many years, our company has supported various athletes, from juniors to professionals, including serving as an official sponsor of Montedio Yamagata. Through closely supporting athletes and being deeply involved in their physical development, we arrived at a strong desire: 'We want to deliver knowledge about proper nutrition and physical development from the junior generation, when their bodies are being built, rather than after they become professionals.'

In the actual sports scene, we have repeatedly encountered athletes who regret, 'I wish I had known the importance of diet and nutrition sooner,' because they did not build their bodies with age-appropriate food, hindering the development of their true physical and competitive abilities. Therefore, we are determined to deliver age-appropriate knowledge during the crucial growth period when physical development is most important. We are convinced that this will maximize the potential of future athletes and become a lifelong asset, leading us to decide to provide support as a 'Nutritional Education Partner.'

The serious reality unique to rural areas: The academy's challenge of 'lack of nutrition and sleep.'

Through repeated discussions with the Montedio Yamagata Academy School, the severe environment unique to junior athletes in rural areas and the pressing issues faced by coaching staff became apparent.

✓ 'Lack of nutrition and sleep' due to long commutes after practice

Due to the unique environment where public transportation is limited, many players rely on their parents for transportation. If practice ends at 8:30 PM, it is not uncommon for them to get home after 10 PM. As a result, fatigue from commuting and late dinners can easily lead to 'lack of nutrition and sleep,' causing serious concerns about physical development such as 'not growing as tall as expected' or 'not gaining weight.'

✓ The difficulty of 'continuation' and 'autonomy'

Traditional one-off nutrition seminars (once a year) faced the challenge of difficulty in maintaining awareness after the initial few months, and the barrier of 'mindset reform' unique to the junior generation, where older students succumb to temptations.

Cultivating the 'ability to choose and eat for oneself.' Comprehensive nutrition seminars begin in line with 'Nutrition Month' in June!

To foster a continuous change in awareness from daily life, rather than ending with a one-time seminar, we have launched a full-scale year-round support program tailored to each category: Youth (U-18), Junior Youth (U-15), and Junior (U-12), starting around June, the national 'Nutrition Month.'

Approximately 100 people, including coaches, players, and parents, participated in the nutrition seminar held on June 21st. Registered dietitian Ayaka Sato, who served as the lecturer, provided fundamental nutritional knowledge for junior athletes, such as 'how many calories are needed at their current age to build a strong body that improves soccer performance.'

For Junior (U12) players, the focus was on physical development to maximize height growth, ensuring they do not miss the peak of their growth spurt during puberty. For Youth (U-18) players, whose growth spurts have passed, the focus was on building muscle to strengthen their bodies and improve soccer performance, while learning nutritional knowledge through interactive exercises. We also made them aware of the reality that their current calorie intake is overwhelmingly insufficient and conveyed the importance of 'snacks' to achieve the total daily calorie requirement.

At the venue, players were seen taking notes with serious expressions, and parents were asking questions about their children's physical development. After the seminar, a Youth player expressed, 'I used to have onigiri as a snack in the morning, but I didn't eat anything before practice. I realized my food intake was completely insufficient. I want to start by incorporating frequent snacks and making it a habit.' This marks the first step in cultivating the 'knowledge and judgment to choose ideal meals without hesitation.'

'Year-round support program' supervised by sports nutrition expert Ayaka Sato

This project features Ayaka Sato (Registered Dietitian, Sleep Health Advisor), an expert familiar with the field and environment of junior athletes, as supervisor and lecturer. Through continuous support, including nutrition seminars throughout the year, we aim to prevent the initiative from fizzling out after a few days.

'Category-specific nutrition seminars' tailored to age (4 times a year)

By maintaining regular contact throughout the year, rather than ending with one-off events, we encourage a 'continuation' of mindset change for players and parents. The seminars are optimized for age and environment. For Juniors (U12), the focus is on strengthening the cooperative relationship with parents who support the dietary environment. Furthermore, for Junior Youth (U15) and Youth (U18), we foster 'autonomy in choosing meals by their own will' within their respective lifestyles, whether commuting from home or living in dormitories.

Hakuju Bio-Science Laboratory Co., Ltd. and Plexus Co., Ltd. (Hakuju Yamagata) will wholeheartedly support the players of the Montedio Yamagata Academy School as their nutritional education partners, enabling them to grow healthily, dedicate themselves fully to their beloved sport of soccer, and expand their potential to shine on the world stage.

[Supervisor/Lecturer Profile] Ayaka Sato

Registered Dietitian, Sleep Health Advisor. Gained experience in nutritional counseling, menu planning, nutritional calculations, and store management at companies and nursery schools before becoming independent. Provides practical nutritional support, having interacted with over 10,000 people, from professional athletes and sports kids to those seeking weight loss or lifestyle improvements. Currently active as 'Your Personal Nutritionist,' engaging in athlete nutrition support, part-time lecturing at vocational schools, seminar instruction, and recipe development.

About Hakuju Bio-Science Laboratory Co., Ltd.

With the corporate philosophy of "To realize human happiness through health," we are a comprehensive health company with over 100 years of history, supporting people's healthy and affluent lives. With the wish that everyone lives healthily until the age of 99 (Hakuju), we provide health foods and supplements based on the long-cultivated "Hakuju Health Method," offer the home and medical use electric therapy device "Helstron," and operate "Hakuju Hall" to provide mental relaxation through music, offering total coordination for mind and body. Furthermore, we actively engage in supporting sports for children who will lead the next generation and promoting self-care, in collaboration with local governments and communities, including our nationwide health stations, "Hakuju Plaza."

[Company Profile]

Company Name: Hakuju Bio-Science Laboratory Co., Ltd.

Representative: Hiroyuki Hara, President and CEO

Headquarters: 1-37-5 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Phone: 03-5478-8910 (Representative)

Founded: 1925 (Taisho 14)

Established: 1964 (Showa 39)

Capital: 100 million yen

Number of Employees: 261 (Group employees approx. 700)

Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of home and medical healthcare devices, health foods, etc.