Professional Badminton Player Yuta Watanabe to Compete Under New Affiliation

Electric Power Development Co., Ltd. (hereinafter 'J-POWER,' Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hideaki Kato) announces that professional badminton player Yuta Watanabe (hereinafter 'Watanabe'), currently affiliated with J-POWER, will become a player for 'ACT SAIKYO' starting April 1, 2026.

J-POWER signed a sponsorship agreement with Watanabe in 2023 and an affiliation agreement in April 2025, supporting his activities. Watanabe has consistently demonstrated a stance of 'pursuing growth without fear of change, never being satisfied with himself, and always aiming higher,' as evidenced by his victory in the mixed doubles at the 79th All-Japan Badminton Championships in December 2025.

Currently, Watanabe is challenging new goals with his sights set on the world's summit. To achieve this, further enhancement of his training environment with his mixed doubles partner, Mahiro Taguchi (affiliated with ACT SAIKYO), and strengthening their partnership have become even more crucial. Therefore, he will be changing his affiliation to ACT SAIKYO. Although his affiliation will change, J-POWER will continue as his main sponsor.

This change in affiliation is a move for Watanabe to focus on strengthening his skills in a more complete competitive environment. One of J-POWER's corporate philosophies is to 'unite rich individuality and passion to challenge for tomorrow,' and we empathize with Watanabe's strong determination and resolve to achieve his new goals.

J-POWER will continue to fully support Watanabe's challenge to deliver 'POWER' to Japan and the world, while also continuing our own challenge to constantly provide the energy people need and contribute to the sustainable development of Japan and the world.

## Comment from Yuta Watanabe

I am pleased to announce that I will be joining ACT SAIKYO from April 2026.
I am sincerely grateful to everyone at J-POWER for supporting me as an affiliated player.
Although my affiliation will change, I am very encouraged that they will continue to support me as a sponsor.
Aiming for the top of the world, I will continue to devote myself fully to the sport.
I appreciate your continued warm support.

## Yuta Watanabe's Profile

- Date of Birth: June 13, 1997
- Place of Birth: Suginami-ku, Tokyo
- High School: Tomioka High School, Fukushima Prefecture
- Height: 167 cm
- Major Achievements:
- 2018: First Japanese to win the All England Open Mixed Doubles.
- 2020: First Japanese to win the All England Open Men's Doubles.
- 2021: Won the bronze medal in Mixed Doubles at the Tokyo Olympics (the only medal for Japan in badminton), and placed 5th in Men's Doubles.
- April 2022: Turned professional.
- 2023: First Japanese to win the Daihatsu Japan Open Mixed Doubles.
- 2024: Won the bronze medal in Mixed Doubles at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first in Japanese history to win medals at two consecutive Olympics.
- 2025: Won the All-Japan Badminton Championships in Mixed Doubles.
- Highest World Ranking: 4th in Men's Doubles, 1st in Mixed Doubles.