Nanto Corp. (Headquarters: Naha, Okinawa), which has been involved in Okinawa's tourism industry and promoting regional charm, will celebrate its 55th anniversary in 2026. Its affiliate, Nanto Bussan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Naha, Okinawa), will also mark its 50th anniversary in the same year. To mark this occasion, this year is positioned as the 'Nanto Group Anniversary Year,' with various initiatives planned.

As the first step, on March 7, 2026 (Sat), we held a workshop titled 'Paint the Sky as a Canvas! Let's Draw! The Natural Treasures of This Island to Connect to the Future!' at our facility, 'Okinawa World,' inviting local children.

### Experience 'Connecting to the Future' Together with the Community This event was planned with the theme of passing on the charm of Okinawa, which our group has cherished, to the next generation.

On the day, 63 children, mainly from 3rd and 4th grades of elementary schools in Okinawa Prefecture, and their parents participated. In front of the red-tiled folk houses in the 'Ryukyu Kingdom Castle Town' area, they used four giant transparent vinyl sheets (1.2m x 3.5m) as canvases to freely draw motifs such as sea, sky, mountain creatures, and flowers.

Illustrator pokke104 (Yukino Ikejo), a native of the prefecture, participated in the workshop. The children enjoyed interacting while referring to the examples drawn by Ms. Ikejo or adding to the same canvas.

The completed work was displayed under the open sky in a frame approximately 3 meters high and 8.1 meters wide. Finally, the children gathered in front of the work for a commemorative photo. This scene is also scheduled to be used in the Nanto Group anniversary TV commercial.

### Comments from Participants and Instructor Participants expressed their joy, saying it was 'fun' and they 'wanted to draw more,' filling the venue with a lively atmosphere throughout.

Yukino Ikejo said, 'I would be happy if the motifs they drew could trigger an interest in the lives of creatures and nature, and if they could pass that on to the future.'

### About the Nanto Group Anniversary In this year, marking the 55th and 50th anniversaries, the Nanto Group is developing various initiatives under the catchphrase 'Go! Go! Nanto!'

With the sentiment of 'Thanks to you, half a century. Half a century with Okinawa,' we will continue to move forward into the future while cherishing our gratitude to the local community that has supported us.

### Company Overview **Nanto Corp.** Established on June 30, 1971, as 'K-Brand Tourism Co., Ltd.' On April 28, 1972, it opened 'Gyokusendo (now Okinawa World),' the first paid tourist facility in the prefecture. It is engaged in promoting regional value through the operation of tourist facilities where visitors can experience the nature, culture, and history of Okinawa. https://www.nantocorp.com/

**Nanto Bussan Co., Ltd.** Established on July 10, 1976, as 'Nippon Food Co., Ltd.' It focuses on the planning, manufacturing, and sales of souvenirs, and widely promotes the charm of Okinawa through product creation that utilizes regional resources. https://nantobussan.co.jp/

### Future Developments Throughout this year, the Nanto Group will implement initiatives that can be enjoyed with the local community and activities that connect to the next generation. Please stay tuned for our new initiatives marking this anniversary.

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: News