Judo Athlete Uta Abe Visits Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Kyushu Branch

Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Shigeo Nakamura; hereinafter "Ajinomoto Co.") welcomed judo athlete Uta Abe (PARK24 Co., Ltd.) and held an employee exchange event at Ajinomoto Co.'s Kyushu branch on Monday, April 6, 2026.

The purpose of this initiative was to promote understanding of the company's long-standing athlete support activities and to enhance the engagement of each employee by conveying the athlete's own words.

### ■ Event Outline
Date: Monday, April 6, 2026
Location: Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Kyushu Branch
Speakers:
① Athlete Uta Abe
② Mr. Kurihara, Executive Specialist of "Victory Project®"
Participants: Approximately 80 Ajinomoto Group employees
Content:
① Talk session on the theme of "AminoScience® Supporting the Field of Competition"
② Tasting of the support menu "Dashi-yu" (broth hot water)
③ Q&A session with employees
④ Commemorative photo session

### ■ Event Highlights
During the talk session, Athlete Abe and Mr. Kurihara, Executive Specialist of the "Victory Project®," looked back on the nutrition strategy ("Kachimeshi®") from the pre-competition weight loss period to recovery after weighing and up to the day of the competition, and spoke about the reality of the competitive field.

Athlete Abe commented on the reality of meals unique to sports requiring weight loss, examples of utilizing "Dashi-yu" during recovery, and the importance of amino acid intake on competition day, stating, "I want the employees of the Ajinomoto Group to know that 'umami' and amino acids are useful even in the field of athletes."

In addition, employees asked questions about daily training and mental care, and there was an introduction to the promotion activities of "Kachimeshi®" in sales, fostering two-way communication. Comments were also made about Ajinomoto Group products favored by Athlete Uta, and the venue was filled with a warm and positive atmosphere throughout.