Noto Disaster Wood Transformed into Trophies in the UK: FT Nikkei UK Ekiden Partners with Ishikawa Prefecture

Ekiden Group Ltd. (Representative: Anna Dingley) will partner with Ishikawa Prefecture at the 'FT Nikkei UK Ekiden,' to be held in the UK on June 12, 2026, to implement initiatives aimed at supporting recovery from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and promoting UK-Japan cultural exchange. Beyond inviting two students from Ishikawa to the UK, the group will craft trophies utilizing wood from houses damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, donate to organizations supporting Noto's recovery, and introduce Ishikawa's traditional crafts and food culture.

More than just a sports event, the UK Ekiden serves as a platform for UK-Japan cultural exchange, focusing annually on one Japanese prefecture to introduce its culture, history, food, crafts, and people to the UK. In 2025, in commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the Satsuma students in the UK, the group partnered with Kagoshima Prefecture.

For the 2026 event, Ishikawa Prefecture was selected as the partner due to its rich traditional culture, craftsmanship, community strength, and spirit of 'inheritance,' all of which resonate deeply with the philosophy of the UK Ekiden.

■ Why Ishikawa?: Recovery, Inheritance, and the 'Tasuki' Spirit
The UK Ekiden embodies a new form of UK-Japan exchange by introducing the Japanese-born sport of Ekiden to the UK. The inaugural event was held in 2024, a milestone year marking the 100th Hakone Ekiden in Japan and also the year of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. Despite discussions regarding whether to proceed with the Hakone Ekiden immediately following the disaster, it was ultimately held, offering courage and hope to many.

Recognizing the strong link between the Ekiden culture and the memory of the earthquake, the UK Ekiden has been engaged in Noto recovery support since its first year. The 2026 event seeks to further this support and generate continued interest in the recovery from the UK.

Ishikawa Prefecture is a region where traditional Japanese technologies—including Kanazawa gold leaf, lacquerware, woodworking, washi paper, and architectural culture—have been passed down across generations. The UK Ekiden believes that this 'technique and sentiment passed from person to person' overlaps deeply with the spirit of the 'tasuki' (sash) in Ekiden.

＜2026 Initiatives with Ishikawa Prefecture＞
- Invitation of two Ishikawa university students to participate in the Ekiden in the UK
- Production of championship trophies reusing wood from houses damaged by the Noto earthquake
- Donations to Noto community regeneration support organizations
- Engraving of poems from the affected areas on medals
- Provision of Ishikawa's traditional crafts as prizes
- Planned distribution of Hokuriku Seika's 'Beaver' snacks to participants
- Planned installation of an Ishikawa traditional crafts and culture showcase corner on event day

We remain committed to supporting various activities alongside international exchange through sports.

＜Comments from Representatives＞
Anna Dingley, Founder, Ekiden Group Ltd.
'Following last year's partnership with Kagoshima Prefecture, I am delighted to be working with Ishikawa Prefecture this year. Given the Noto Peninsula Earthquake occurred the same year the UK Ekiden began, we have felt deeply for the recovery efforts, conducting donation activities since 2024. I want people in the UK to know about Ishikawa's charm, and I am happy to help deliver Noto's thoughts across borders by inviting two students.'

Chiyoshi Yamano, Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture
'I am delighted that the 3rd FT Nikkei UK Ekiden will be held so grandly. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your support of Noto's recovery from far away in the UK, including the use of wood from houses damaged by the Noto Peninsula Earthquake for trophies. Two students from Ishikawa will participate in the event. I hope Noto's thoughts will reach the UK via the "tasuki" passed from Ishikawa. Ishikawa and Noto are blessed with rich nature and fresh delicacies. I hope everyone will visit our prefecture when they have the chance. I pray for the success of the event and the best of luck to all participants.'

【Details of Ishikawa Partnership Initiatives】
1. Inviting two students from Ishikawa to the UK: The younger generation shares the Noto spirit
As part of the UK-Japan exchange program, the UK Ekiden will invite the following two university students from Ishikawa to the event:
- Haru Rokkaku, 4th year, Kanazawa Institute of Technology
- Chise Izumo, 4th year, Kanazawa University
This invitation was realized with the cooperation of Shigenobu Omori, Chairman of the Hokushin-etsu Intercollegiate Athletic Union.