【Kagawa Five Arrows】Announce Contract Renewals for Team Staff for the 2026-27 Season

Thank you for your continued support of the Kagawa Five Arrows.
We are pleased to announce that the Kagawa Five Arrows have finalized contract renewals (continuations) with the following team staff for the 2026-27 season.

Assistant Coach
NAOKI ABO
■ Profile
Date of Birth: September 14, 1989
Place of Birth: Aomori Prefecture
■ Career
2019-20 Kagawa Five Arrows Team Manager
2020-22 Kagawa Five Arrows Team Manager & Assistant Coach
2022-23 Aomori Wat's Assistant Coach
2023- Kagawa Five Arrows Assistant Coach
■ Comment
I feel that what we've built over the past three years, which didn't end in victory, is not a 'value' that resets when the season ends, but a much greater 'value'. For the 2026-27 season, I am grateful for the challenge that is possible because it's 'Kagawa,' because it's 'with all of you,' and because it's 'me,' and I will give it my all. To the 'little yellow protagonists of Kagawa,' let's go.
■ Comment from Naoto Ikuoka, President & General Manager
Mr. Abo, who has continued to solidify the foundation of Kagawa's basketball as an assistant coach for these three seasons, will once again take on the role of assistant coach next season. This season too, he demonstrated his scouting and coaching abilities, achieving wonderful team building. Thank you so much! Next season, as we face an even tougher league and a more demanding schedule, Mr. Abo's skills will be extremely important. We will fight through next season together with him!

Strength & Conditioning Coach
TAIKI TAKEYAMA
■ Profile
Date of Birth: January 13, 1998
Place of Birth: Nagasaki Prefecture
■ Career
2018-23 Renaissance, Inc. Personal Trainer
2019-23 Nagasaki Technical High School Men's Basketball Team S&C Coach
2021-23 Personal Training Gym MYGYM Co-representative
2023- Kagawa Five Arrows Strength & Conditioning Coach
■ Comment
Thank you very much for your tremendous support and encouragement this season! We entered the season with the goal of winning the B3 championship, but it is truly regrettable that we couldn't share the ultimate view with all of you at the end. However, it was because of our boosters, who always cheered us on with all their might, that we were able to achieve a club-first No. 1 finish in the regular season and a fantastic 25-game winning streak! I am sincerely grateful for your passionate 'Yellow x Flame'! Next season will be even tougher, but I will do my utmost to support the players by building strong bodies that prevent injuries and allow them to perform at 100% at all times, so we can seize the inaugural B.LEAGUE ONE championship! We ask for your continued passionate 'Yellow x Flame' support!
■ Comment from Naoto Ikuoka, President & General Manager
Taiki Takeyama is the one who builds the bodies and manages the condition of the Kagawa Five Arrows. He is the cornerstone of our club, and we can say that with confidence. Every player who has experienced multiple clubs speaks of the excellence of his conditioning and coaching. Next season, under Takeyama's guidance, our players will be in a state to deliver their best performance. And through their play, we will deliver excitement to all of you.

Head Athletic Trainer
SHO NAKATA
■ Profile
Date of Birth: May 7, 1992
Place of Birth: Hiroshima Prefecture
■ Career
2015-22 Konikai Medical Corporation, Totsuka Nishiguchi Orthopedics, Sports Medicine Center, Physical Therapist
2019-22 Yokohama Giga Spirits Trainer
2020-21 3x3 WILL Trainer
2021 Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Medical Staff (Basketball Venue)
2022-24 Kawasaki Brave Thunders Top Team Trainer Intern
2023-25 Kawasaki Brave Thunders Youth Team Athletic Trainer
2025-26 Kagawa Five Arrows Athletic Trainer
2026- Kagawa Five Arrows Head Athletic Trainer
■ Comment
Thank you for your truly passionate 'Yellow x Flame' this season. I am very happy to be able to continue my activities as an athletic trainer for the Kagawa Five Arrows in the 2026-27 season. This season, we achieved a No. 1 finish in the regular season and a new club record of a 25-game winning streak, but we fell just short of the result we were aiming for, leaving a sense of regret. However, the passionate 'Yellow x Flame' from all of you, who supported the team in any situation, was undoubtedly a great source of strength for the players and staff. In the 2026-27 season, as Head Athletic Trainer, I will bear an even greater responsibility. Under the club's philosophy of 'Never give up on any possibility,' I will strive to create an environment where each player can maximize their potential and perform at their best throughout the season. I will also work to further develop the conditioning culture that Kagawa has built up and strive to create an even better environment. Towards the realization of our club vision, 'Bringing the excitement and emotion of basketball into the daily life of Kagawa,' I will work with all my might alongside the players and staff. We ask for your unchanging, passionate 'Yellow x Flame' in the 2026-27 season.
■ Comment from Naoto Ikuoka, President & General Manager
Mr. Nakata came to Kagawa this season and, through his dedicated and hard work, always thinking of each player, he quickly became an indispensable presence for us. It is no exaggeration to say he is the backbone of our team, which has very few injuries. Next season, as Head Athletic Trainer, we will have him demonstrate further leadership and strengthen the teamwork of our trainer staff.

Top Team Trainer & Under Team Support Trainer
JUNYA NAKANDAKARI
■ Profile
Date of Birth: July 2, 2000
Place of Birth: Okinawa Prefecture
■ Career
2021-24 Namiosekkotsuin
2024-25 Kagawa Five Arrows Under Team Trainer
2025-26 Kagawa Five Arrows Top Team Support Trainer & Under Team Trainer
2026- Kagawa Five Arrows Top Team Trainer & Under Team Support Trainer
■ Comment
Thank you for your great support and encouragement during the 2025-26 season. We couldn't achieve our goal of winning the B3 championship, which is very frustrating, but I believe we were able to challenge for the finals because the support of everyone involved with the club gave the team strength. Thank you so much for your passionate support. Next season, I will be primarily working with the top team. I am sincerely grateful to all club officials for this valuable opportunity. With the new system and environment under the B.LEAGUE reform, I will think and act on what I can do to ensure the players can continue to perform at their maximum potential, and I will do my best to contribute to the club! To all the boosters, sponsor companies, and everyone involved with the club, we ask for your passionate support again next season!
■ Comment from Naoto Ikuoka, President & General Manager
Mr. Nakandakari, who was mainly the trainer for the under team this season, will be primarily working with the top team next season. He is a true hard worker, always engaging with both the top and under teams with high energy and continuously contributing to the overall success of the club. Next season, we will coordinate more than ever and have him demonstrate his skills to improve player performance.

Team Manager
HINANO KAMATA
■ Profile
Date of Birth: September 22, 2001
Place of Birth: Kagawa Prefecture
■ Career
2023-24 Kagawa Five Arrows Assistant Manager & Video Coordinator (Intern)
2024- Kagawa Five Arrows Team Manager
■ Comment
Thank you for your truly passionate 'Yellow x Flame' this season. Thank you for your daily support and encouragement of the Kagawa Five Arrows. I will be serving as the manager for the 2026-27 season as well. This season, we fell one step short of the championship in the playoffs, a season so frustrating it's hard to put into words, and I feel sorry for everyone who supported us. However, in the finals, despite it being a weekday, over 4,100 boosters came to the venue. Seeing that extraordinary sight and hearing the cheers made me feel that basketball is taking root in Kagawa even more than last year, and that we are growing into a club supported by the community. I truly love the atmosphere created by the Kagawa boosters and front office staff, and the cheers that shake the venue. I am proud to be able to fight alongside you all again next year. I can't wait to have a game in that atmosphere again. I will not be satisfied with the status quo, but will continue to grow with the club, and to become a club even more loved by the community, I will devote myself to creating an environment where players and coaches can concentrate on basketball with peace of mind and exert their full potential. We ask for your continued passionate 'Yellow x Flame'!
■ Comment from Naoto Ikuoka, President & General Manager
Thanks to Ms. Kamata, the team is always able to practice in a wonderful environment and compete with peace of mind. Her dedication and ability to accurately handle multiple tasks make her an indispensable presence for the Kagawa Five Arrows. Thank you so much. Next season, with Manager Kamata supporting the team, we will unite as a team and take on great challenges.

Top Team Support Trainer & Under Team Trainer
YUGO SHIBATA
■ Profile
Date of Birth: July 2, 1999
Place of Birth: Iwate Prefecture
■ Career
2019-21 Shigakkan University Gymnastics Club Student Trainer
2020-21 FC Kariya Assistant Trainer
2022-24 Aisan University Kogyo High School Volleyball Trainer
2022-24 Nagoya High School Soccer Club Trainer
2025- Gunma Crane Thunders U18 Trainer
2026.4- Kagawa Five Arrows Top Team Support Trainer & Under Team Trainer
■ Comment
Hello everyone! I am very grateful to be continuing for the 2026-27 season. Last season, I joined the team mid-season, and it started with getting to know the team. From this season, I want to work hard in my daily tasks to be able to communicate what I have learned and seen from various angles. I look forward to working with you for the year. 🙇
■ Comment from Naoto Ikuoka, President & General Manager
He joined the team this April and has immediately been working with a broad perspective, contributing his efforts to both the top and under teams. At a time when development is crucial, I am confident that he will fully demonstrate his abilities in the situations where his skills will be increasingly needed. We will improve the development of Kagawa's future, the under team, through Mr. Shibata's support.