"wagamama Athlete" Launches: Top Athletes Use Dialogue to Share Menstrual Knowledge and Coping Strategies

wagamama Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Co-CEOs: Shiho Shimoyamada and Honami Uchiyama; hereinafter "wagamama"), which operates the no-limit wear brand "OPT," will launch the "wagamama Athlete" project on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. This project will have top athletes deliver practical knowledge based on their own experiences regarding conditioning, including how to manage menstruation.

Top athletes from various sports, including Saki Hayashi (women's basketball player) and Mai Murakami (former Japanese gymnast and head of the women's gymnastics strengthening committee), will participate in this project. They will visit club teams and companies across the country to conduct seminars.

■ Background of the Project

In recent years, proper management of menstrual issues has become increasingly important for the performance of female athletes and working women. However, the current situation is that school menstrual education alone does not sufficiently provide practical knowledge or organizational support to women who need to perform at their best daily.

Until now, "OPT" has supported maximizing performance by freeing women from limitations caused by female-specific issues like menstruation through products such as absorbent boxer shorts. However, to create an environment free from limitations, transformation of the "soft" aspects, such as understanding and dialogue within teams, is essential, in addition to the "hard" aspect of apparel.

Therefore, wagamama has been conducting interactive seminars called "OPT wagamama caravan," which use menstruation as a starting point for understanding one's body and thinking about better performance. To date, these seminars have supported a total of 160 clubs and over 3,700 individuals. The program used in the seminars is supervised by Dr. Kaori Hoshiai, an obstetrician and gynecologist.

Now, to implement this activity more deeply and broadly into society, top athletes who understand the challenges of conditioning associated with menstruation and have pushed their limits are joining the initiative as "wagamama Athletes."

■ Role of "wagamama Athlete"

This project offers a unique program in Japan that combines the insights "OPT" has gained from over 3,700 voices with the practical knowledge athletes have cultivated at the top level of their fields.

Athletes participating in this project will undergo specialized training and serve as facilitators or guest speakers for seminars using the menstrual education kit "wagamama talk box" developed by wagamama. By having athletes involved, the seminars can convey not only practical coping methods for menstruation but also the mindset and mentality athletes have developed while facing performance challenges daily. Furthermore, by incorporating the athletes' own experiences and honest thoughts from their student days, the project aims to maximize the effect of awareness through dialogue and encourage behavioral change in participants.

The initial members of "wagamama Athlete" include Saki Hayashi and Mai Murakami. The company plans to recruit more athletes who support the project and expand it in the future.

■ Comments from wagamama Athletes and the Sports World

[wagamama Athlete]

Saki Hayashi (Basketball Player)

"I've often heard the phrase 'supporting female athletes,' but I'm truly happy to have met people who are this committed to supporting women. I also think it's a wonderful initiative that creates a time for not only athletes but also parents, coaches, and working women in society to learn together. I hope to support female athletes and children who will be active in the future so they can enjoy sports to the fullest!"

Mai Murakami (Former Japanese Gymnast / Head of Women's Gymnastics Strengthening Committee)

"I believe that creating a stress-free environment is the most important thing when seriously engaging in sports or work. I felt that by creating an environment that can support menstrual issues, it should lead to improved athletic performance and work performance, which is why I decided to participate in OPT's initiative. I think some organizations tend to turn a blind eye to menstrual issues. However, because it's a problem that affects not only one's athletic career but also life after retirement, we must face it squarely. Through OPT's initiative, I want to aim for creating an environment where anyone can easily talk about these issues."

Rika Fujiwara (wagamama Athlete / Tennis & Pickleball Player)

"Since my junior days and throughout my professional career, I have always struggled with the feeling that my performance drops during my period. While traveling around the world and competing in various environments, I had trouble with menstrual products and also experienced physical symptoms like menstrual cramps. However, during training camps, I was able to compete with peace of mind thanks to the products developed by wagamama. Based on that experience, I empathized with wagamama's efforts and joined this project. I am determined to support women with all my might, hoping to help them live with a little less stress and improve their performance."

[Special Supporter]

Toshiro Hirose (Former Captain of the Japan National Rugby Team)

"I have decided to participate as a special supporter because I empathize with the activities of wagamama Athlete. Women's sports, including women's rugby, are developing, and as a parent of a daughter, I feel that how to deal with menstruation and performance is a very important theme. In Japan, where there are still not enough opportunities for learning and dialogue, I think it's truly wonderful that wagamama is expanding these activities. This is not just an individual problem; it's an issue that the surrounding people and the environment should think about together. I myself want to learn from a male perspective and support the creation of an environment where everyone can challenge themselves in sports in their own way."

[Supporting Comment]

Dai Tamesue (Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo / Former Track and Field Athlete)

"For a long time in the sports world, the issue of menstruation has been treated as 'invisible.' Athletes couldn't talk about it openly and just endured it. I believe that through activities like this, creating an environment where female athletes can speak honestly and positively about their bodies will open up sports and make them better. I support this activity."

■ Future Outlook

The interactive seminars by "wagamama Athlete" will expand beyond the sports field in the future to include school education and corporate health management and DE&I promotion initiatives.

Going forward, wagamama aims to return the knowledge that athletes have about "managing mind and body to produce results" to society as a whole, realizing a society where all women can unleash their performance.

■ Inquiries from Schools and Companies

wagamama Inc. Contact: Kimura Email: hello.wagamama@gmail.com

[About wagamama Inc.]

wagamama Inc. aims to "create a society where women with diverse lifestyles can perform at their best, just as they are."