A Powerful Ally for Marathon Event Attendance Appears! Announcing the Entry License "Ibema Card"
ARC Co., Ltd. announced the "Ibema Card," an entry license to support marathon event attendance. This card diversifies marathon entry, traditionally online-focused, to include in-store sales, Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donations), and campaigns, aiming to solve the challenge of declining participation in local events.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 03:43
- 🔍 Collected: April 27, 2026 at 19:02
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Niigata City Marathon 2026 Key Visual
Connecting through sports. Creating the future.
Sato Foods Albirex RC (ARC Co., Ltd.) has developed the Ibema system to support marketing for participation-based events such as marathon races. This system has enabled the carding of marathon event entry licenses (participation rights).
As a result, in marathon events where internet entry is the main method, the application channels can be expanded to include in-store sales, Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donations), and campaigns, thereby supporting marketing efforts by increasing event entries and providing sponsor benefits.
It has already been introduced and achieved results at events such as the Niigata Half Marathon 2026 and Niigata City Marathon 2026.
Niigata Half Marathon Niigata City Marathon
Current State of Citizen Marathons
In Japan, after the COVID-19 pandemic, local marathon events, in particular, have been experiencing severe under-enrollment and decline, against the backdrop of rising participation fees, concerns about event cancellations, and reduced administrative burdens. Furthermore, a polarization has accelerated, with popular events attracting many participants while small and medium-sized local events suffer from unpopularity, necessitating measures such as event discontinuation or simplification.
26th National Running Race 100 Selection (Events held from January to December 2025) / R-bies Sports Foundation
(※1) Refer to Sasakawa Sports Foundation "Jogging/Running Population"
https://www.ssf.or.jp/thinktank/sports_life/data/jogging_running.html
Creating "Wouldn't it be nice to have?"
A benefit of carding marathon participation rights with the Ibema system is that purchases can be made using e-money and various points at sales outlets.
Booth sales at various marathon events Furusato Choice purchase page
Official Online Shop Operational from May 1, Reiwa 8 (2026) Campaign using SNS at previous year's event
▪️High versatility offers other benefits such as:
☑︎ Increased event attendance by expanding entry channels
☑︎ Ability to purchase using e-money and points through in-store sales *Depends on each store's situation.
☑︎ Expansion of sponsor benefits (sales rights, campaign development, etc.)
☑︎ Easy handling as a Furusato Nozei return gift (presents, etc.)
☑︎ Provision of runner services by presenting the Ibema Card
☑︎ Ability to operate pre-sales and priority rights
☑︎ Reduction of entry fees for runners
(※2) Niigata Nippo "In-store sales of marathon participation rights is Japan's first" Refer to
https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/articles/-/639190
Niigata City Marathon 2026 Ibema Card Retailer Information
Niigata City Marathon 2026 Full Marathon Entry Rights (Front) Niigata City Marathon 2026 Full Marathon Entry Rights (Back)
WEST Niigata Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
WEST Sanjo Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
WEST Nagaoka Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
WEST Joetsu Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
KITAMAE (DEKKY401 2F)
【Business Hours】 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Information Center EN (inside Media Ship)
【Business Hours】 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Irregular holidays)
Tsutaya Books 17 stores in Niigata Prefecture *Sales from May 1, Reiwa 8 (2026)
(Niigata Chuo Inter Store, Nagaoka Shinbo Store, Sado Sawada Store, Ken-o Store, Nagaoka Koseji Store, Muikamachi Store, Shibata Store, Kashiwazaki Iwakami Store, Niigata Bandai, Koide Store, Niitsu Store, Takeo Inter Store, Kawato Store, Shintsu Store, Yokogoshi Bypass Store, Nagaoka Hanazono Store, Takada Nishi Store)
Niigata Chuo Inter Store Muikamachi Store Sado Sawada Store Takada Nishi Store
Contact Information
Carding of marathon participation rights (event marketing support system) in this matter is a first in Japan.
Please feel free to contact us for any questions.
ARC Co., Ltd. (Sato Foods Albirex Running Club)
Address: Hakusan Building 7F, 1-614-5 Hakusanura, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
TEL: 025-201-7666
FAX: 025-201-7656
mail: info@eve-mkt.com
Connecting through sports. Creating the future.
Sato Foods Albirex RC (ARC Co., Ltd.) has developed the Ibema system to support marketing for participation-based events such as marathon races. This system has enabled the carding of marathon event entry licenses (participation rights).
As a result, in marathon events where internet entry is the main method, the application channels can be expanded to include in-store sales, Furusato Nozei (hometown tax donations), and campaigns, thereby supporting marketing efforts by increasing event entries and providing sponsor benefits.
It has already been introduced and achieved results at events such as the Niigata Half Marathon 2026 and Niigata City Marathon 2026.
Niigata Half Marathon Niigata City Marathon
Current State of Citizen Marathons
In Japan, after the COVID-19 pandemic, local marathon events, in particular, have been experiencing severe under-enrollment and decline, against the backdrop of rising participation fees, concerns about event cancellations, and reduced administrative burdens. Furthermore, a polarization has accelerated, with popular events attracting many participants while small and medium-sized local events suffer from unpopularity, necessitating measures such as event discontinuation or simplification.
26th National Running Race 100 Selection (Events held from January to December 2025) / R-bies Sports Foundation
(※1) Refer to Sasakawa Sports Foundation "Jogging/Running Population"
https://www.ssf.or.jp/thinktank/sports_life/data/jogging_running.html
Creating "Wouldn't it be nice to have?"
A benefit of carding marathon participation rights with the Ibema system is that purchases can be made using e-money and various points at sales outlets.
Booth sales at various marathon events Furusato Choice purchase page
Official Online Shop Operational from May 1, Reiwa 8 (2026) Campaign using SNS at previous year's event
▪️High versatility offers other benefits such as:
☑︎ Increased event attendance by expanding entry channels
☑︎ Ability to purchase using e-money and points through in-store sales *Depends on each store's situation.
☑︎ Expansion of sponsor benefits (sales rights, campaign development, etc.)
☑︎ Easy handling as a Furusato Nozei return gift (presents, etc.)
☑︎ Provision of runner services by presenting the Ibema Card
☑︎ Ability to operate pre-sales and priority rights
☑︎ Reduction of entry fees for runners
(※2) Niigata Nippo "In-store sales of marathon participation rights is Japan's first" Refer to
https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/articles/-/639190
Niigata City Marathon 2026 Ibema Card Retailer Information
Niigata City Marathon 2026 Full Marathon Entry Rights (Front) Niigata City Marathon 2026 Full Marathon Entry Rights (Back)
WEST Niigata Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
WEST Sanjo Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
WEST Nagaoka Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
WEST Joetsu Store
【Business Hours】
(Weekdays) 11:30 AM - 7:30 PM
(Weekends & Holidays) 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM
【Closed】 Tuesdays (Hours may change during sales periods)
KITAMAE (DEKKY401 2F)
【Business Hours】 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Information Center EN (inside Media Ship)
【Business Hours】 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Irregular holidays)
Tsutaya Books 17 stores in Niigata Prefecture *Sales from May 1, Reiwa 8 (2026)
(Niigata Chuo Inter Store, Nagaoka Shinbo Store, Sado Sawada Store, Ken-o Store, Nagaoka Koseji Store, Muikamachi Store, Shibata Store, Kashiwazaki Iwakami Store, Niigata Bandai, Koide Store, Niitsu Store, Takeo Inter Store, Kawato Store, Shintsu Store, Yokogoshi Bypass Store, Nagaoka Hanazono Store, Takada Nishi Store)
Niigata Chuo Inter Store Muikamachi Store Sado Sawada Store Takada Nishi Store
Contact Information
Carding of marathon participation rights (event marketing support system) in this matter is a first in Japan.
Please feel free to contact us for any questions.
ARC Co., Ltd. (Sato Foods Albirex Running Club)
Address: Hakusan Building 7F, 1-614-5 Hakusanura, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
TEL: 025-201-7666
FAX: 025-201-7656
mail: info@eve-mkt.com