FIDA JAPAN Announces "5th FIDA GOLD CUP" to Enter a New Stage in its 5th Year!

The Japan International Dance Federation FIDA JAPAN (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Honorary Chairman: Ryotaro Sugi; Chairman: Kantaro Kanda) is pleased to announce the decision to hold the "5th FIDA GOLD CUP." This competition, which started as a dance event for the *GOLD generation, is now celebrating its 5th year. Throughout its journey, it has grown beyond a mere competition to become a platform that fosters "challenge" and "exchange." This year, the "FIDA GOLD CUP" will undergo further evolution and step into a new phase. To enable more of the GOLD generation to experience the joy of dance and the health benefits it offers, the competition has previously set the eligibility at 60 years and older, striving to popularize dance. Thanks to these efforts, the number of aspiring participants has increased year by year, with the previous competition seeing a record 17 teams from across the country. Many in the GOLD generation have taken on new dance challenges, and this competition has firmly expanded as a venue for community creation. In response to this great enthusiasm, as we reach the milestone of the 5th event this year, the competition will pursue its original aspiration: to be a stage that symbolizes the "health and vitality of the true GOLD generation." Therefore, based on definitions from the WHO and domestic standards, we will change the eligibility requirements to "65 years and older" starting this year. We view this as a positive evolution to establish a platform where higher age groups can shine as protagonists and to demonstrate a society where people can remain active throughout their lives through dance. Moving forward, FIDA JAPAN will nurture this competition not merely as a "place to compete on technique," but as a "stage where life itself shines." Please look forward to the "5th FIDA GOLD CUP" as it evolves into a new phase. Event Outline Event Name: 5th FIDA GOLD CUP Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026 (Time TBD) Venue: Nissho Hall (2-9-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan Firefighting Association Hall) Organizer: Japan International Dance Federation FIDA JAPAN Sponsor: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (planned) Cooperation: Sugitomo Co., Ltd., Avex Alliance & Partners Inc. Planning & Operation: "FIDA GOLD CUP" Executive Committee

What is the GOLD generation? At FIDA JAPAN, we refer to seniors aged 65 and over as the GOLD generation. The name "GOLD" in the competition title embodies the meaning of GoodOLD (aging gracefully/well).

What is the Dance Health Club? Amidst calls for a "100-year life era" and a "super-aging society with declining birthrate," Honorary Chairman Ryotaro Sugi established the Dance Health Club within FIDA JAPAN as one of the initiatives to keep seniors physically and mentally healthy. It provides dance teams, primarily from the GOLD generation across the country, with registration, dance music and choreography, and opportunities to perform. Currently, 35 teams are active in 21 prefectures (as of April 2026).

What is the "Japan International Dance Federation FIDA JAPAN"? Under the philosophy of "promoting and developing dance, and contributing to social development and world peace through dance," FIDA JAPAN contributes to the development of Japan's dance scene from various perspectives, such as providing official rules for Japan's first professional dance league [D.LEAGUE], organizing high school dance club competitions, establishing senior dance clubs for those aged 65 and over, and conceptualizing an institution to set international dance standards, all while working to achieve international exchange through dance.