Aflac Life Insurance and Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters Pitcher Sachiya Yamasaki Support Children with Cancer – Launch of Donation Program Linked to 2026 Season Innings Pitched
Aflac Life Insurance announced that it will continue its childhood cancer awareness activities in 2026 with pitcher Sachiya Yamasaki. A new performance-linked donation program where Yamasaki contributes 10,000 JPY per inning pitched will begin to support patients and their families.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 4, 2026 at 20:00
April 4, 2026
Aflac Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (President: Masatoshi Koide, hereinafter "Aflac") has announced that it will continue to work with Sachiya Yamasaki of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on childhood cancer awareness activities throughout the 2026 season.
Aflac has long been active in promoting understanding and expanding the circle of support for childhood cancer. In April 2025, the company signed a partnership agreement with Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd. (President: Ken Maezawa) and has since held events such as exchange sessions between Yamasaki and children fighting cancer.
This year, as a new initiative, a donation program linked to Yamasaki's innings pitched will commence. Under this program, Yamasaki will donate 10,000 JPY multiplied by his official number of innings pitched to the Aflac Kids Support System and the Gold Ribbon Network. These funds will be used to support children with cancer and their families.
Furthermore, at today's match between the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Orix Buffaloes, the "Aflac Gold Ribbon Day" childhood cancer awareness event will be held. The event features a first-pitch ceremony by children invited through Hokkaido University Hospital, a message video from Yamasaki broadcast in the stadium, and a lottery for original awareness goods.
### Comment from Sachiya Yamasaki
"Since 2025, I have been working with Aflac to support children facing childhood cancer. Through exchanges at facilities we visited, I heard many voices saying they look forward to my performance on the field, which in turn gave me courage and energy. I want to contribute to the team by pitching as many innings as possible toward a championship victory. By engaging in this new donation activity, I hope to expand the circle of support for childhood cancer and bring smiles to the children."
Aflac remains committed to realizing a society where people who have experienced cancer can live with peace of mind as themselves, responding to the trust and mandate of all stakeholders by creating new value shared with society.
*Aflac Kids Support System: Aflac's unique social contribution program designed for the stable operation of the Aflac Parents House and the scholarship program for childhood cancer survivors and cancer orphans.
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### Appendix
**Profile of Sachiya Yamasaki (Pitcher, #18)**
- Date of Birth: September 9, 1992 (33 years old)
- Height/Weight: 188cm / 99kg
- Hometown: Saitama Prefecture
- Throw/Bat: Left / Left
- Career: Nichidai San HS - Meiji Univ. - Orix (1st Draft Pick, 2015-23) - Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (2024-)
**Experience with Childhood Brain Tumor**
In November 2007, before entering high school, Yamasaki was diagnosed with a childhood brain tumor. In 2008, he underwent surgery for total tumor removal at Hokkaido University Hospital and was discharged just one week later. He continues to undergo annual checkups during the off-season even after joining the professional league.
**Childhood Cancer Awareness Activities with Yamasaki**
**Innings-Linked Donation Program**
Yamasaki will donate 10,000 JPY per official inning pitched to the Aflac Kids Support System and the Gold Ribbon Network.
**Aflac Gold Ribbon Day**
Aflac has supported the "Gold Ribbon Movement" for childhood cancer since 2006, being the first corporation in Japan to do so. Since April 25 is designated as "Childhood Cancer Gold Ribbon Day" (4/25: Sho-ni-gan/Gold Ribbon in Japanese wordplay), Aflac designates April as Gold Ribbon Promotion Month. The Aflac Gold Ribbon Day event is part of this effort.
- Date: April 4, 2026, 14:00 Start
- Match: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters vs. Orix Buffaloes
- Venue: ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO
**Gold Ribbon Walking**
A charity event starting in 2007 to support children with cancer. Aflac is a special sponsor, and Yamasaki's message will be broadcast at the venue on April 18, 2026, at Odaiba.
**Visits to Aflac Parents House and Pediatric Hospitals**
During the off-season, Yamasaki plans to visit facilities to interact with children and their families.
Aflac Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (President: Masatoshi Koide, hereinafter "Aflac") has announced that it will continue to work with Sachiya Yamasaki of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters on childhood cancer awareness activities throughout the 2026 season.
Aflac has long been active in promoting understanding and expanding the circle of support for childhood cancer. In April 2025, the company signed a partnership agreement with Fighters Sports & Entertainment Co., Ltd. (President: Ken Maezawa) and has since held events such as exchange sessions between Yamasaki and children fighting cancer.
This year, as a new initiative, a donation program linked to Yamasaki's innings pitched will commence. Under this program, Yamasaki will donate 10,000 JPY multiplied by his official number of innings pitched to the Aflac Kids Support System and the Gold Ribbon Network. These funds will be used to support children with cancer and their families.
Furthermore, at today's match between the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and the Orix Buffaloes, the "Aflac Gold Ribbon Day" childhood cancer awareness event will be held. The event features a first-pitch ceremony by children invited through Hokkaido University Hospital, a message video from Yamasaki broadcast in the stadium, and a lottery for original awareness goods.
### Comment from Sachiya Yamasaki
"Since 2025, I have been working with Aflac to support children facing childhood cancer. Through exchanges at facilities we visited, I heard many voices saying they look forward to my performance on the field, which in turn gave me courage and energy. I want to contribute to the team by pitching as many innings as possible toward a championship victory. By engaging in this new donation activity, I hope to expand the circle of support for childhood cancer and bring smiles to the children."
Aflac remains committed to realizing a society where people who have experienced cancer can live with peace of mind as themselves, responding to the trust and mandate of all stakeholders by creating new value shared with society.
*Aflac Kids Support System: Aflac's unique social contribution program designed for the stable operation of the Aflac Parents House and the scholarship program for childhood cancer survivors and cancer orphans.
---
### Appendix
**Profile of Sachiya Yamasaki (Pitcher, #18)**
- Date of Birth: September 9, 1992 (33 years old)
- Height/Weight: 188cm / 99kg
- Hometown: Saitama Prefecture
- Throw/Bat: Left / Left
- Career: Nichidai San HS - Meiji Univ. - Orix (1st Draft Pick, 2015-23) - Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (2024-)
**Experience with Childhood Brain Tumor**
In November 2007, before entering high school, Yamasaki was diagnosed with a childhood brain tumor. In 2008, he underwent surgery for total tumor removal at Hokkaido University Hospital and was discharged just one week later. He continues to undergo annual checkups during the off-season even after joining the professional league.
**Childhood Cancer Awareness Activities with Yamasaki**
**Innings-Linked Donation Program**
Yamasaki will donate 10,000 JPY per official inning pitched to the Aflac Kids Support System and the Gold Ribbon Network.
**Aflac Gold Ribbon Day**
Aflac has supported the "Gold Ribbon Movement" for childhood cancer since 2006, being the first corporation in Japan to do so. Since April 25 is designated as "Childhood Cancer Gold Ribbon Day" (4/25: Sho-ni-gan/Gold Ribbon in Japanese wordplay), Aflac designates April as Gold Ribbon Promotion Month. The Aflac Gold Ribbon Day event is part of this effort.
- Date: April 4, 2026, 14:00 Start
- Match: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters vs. Orix Buffaloes
- Venue: ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO
**Gold Ribbon Walking**
A charity event starting in 2007 to support children with cancer. Aflac is a special sponsor, and Yamasaki's message will be broadcast at the venue on April 18, 2026, at Odaiba.
**Visits to Aflac Parents House and Pediatric Hospitals**
During the off-season, Yamasaki plans to visit facilities to interact with children and their families.
FAQ
Why is Sachiya Yamasaki supporting childhood cancer awareness?
Pitcher Yamasaki was diagnosed with a childhood brain tumor in the 9th grade and successfully underwent surgery. His personal experience drives his passion to encourage children in similar situations.
How is the donation amount calculated?
The donation is calculated as 10,000 JPY multiplied by the number of innings Yamasaki pitches in official 2026 season games, donated by Yamasaki himself.
What is 'Aflac Gold Ribbon Day'?
It is an awareness event aimed at promoting understanding of childhood cancer, featuring a first-pitch ceremony by children, message videos, and giveaway promotions.