It'scom to Feature Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo's "Universal Day" as a Special Program, as a Sustainability Partner
It'scom, empathizing with Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo's "Universal Day" initiative, has produced a special program titled "BlackRams Tokyo Universal Day —No-Side Spectator Seats—." This program aims to convey the efforts behind creating a rugby viewing environment enjoyable for everyone, regardless of disability, and the power of sports.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 12:57 (1h 25m after Collected)
Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, a team belonging to Japan Rugby League One, held a one-day event called "Universal Day" on April 5, 2026, coinciding with an official match. The concept was "realizing a rugby viewing environment enjoyable for everyone," aiming for anyone, regardless of disability, to casually enjoy rugby at the stadium.
It's Communications Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Mie Kanai; hereinafter, It'scom) empathized with this vision as a sustainability partner and, with the desire to share this meaningful initiative with many people, produced a special program titled "BlackRams Tokyo Universal Day —No-Side Spectator Seats—." It will be broadcast on It'scom Channel* on Wednesday, May 13. (Reruns available)
It'scom employees covering the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the match venue, and the sense of unity created throughout the stadium.
Universal Day: A Close Look at the Day
At the outdoor event venue on Universal Day, numerous programs were prepared for visitors to experience diverse activities before the match.
Visitors could experience various forms of rugby, such as wheelchair rugby, where players fiercely collide and compete for the ball, blind rugby, played with low-vision goggles, and hands-free wheelchair rugby passing. In addition, there were diverse contents beyond the scope of the competition to deepen understanding of universal access, such as sign language experience for sports viewing, walking experience with a white cane, and a corner introducing the role of assistance dogs.
It'scom also implemented "Kids Space supported by It'scom" as one of the contents, setting up an area where families with small children and people with disabilities could enjoy themselves with peace of mind.
The program will convey the power of sports and the concept of universal access through the experiences of these visitors.
Wheelchair rugby experience, blind rugby experience, Kids Space supported by It'scom
The program's theme is "What can be achieved with the power of sports?"
◆A Challenge Born from Small Discoveries◆
The background of Universal Day lies in the experience of Yugo Shirasaki, Club Visionary Officer of Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo.
It was his visit to Villarreal CF, a Spanish football club. He learned the reason why a small town club was making great strides on the European stage: one of them was "community contribution outside the ground."
The program will convey how Mr. Shirasaki's insights led to the realization of Universal Day and his thoughts behind it.
◆Revisiting the "Norm" of the Stadium◆
At Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the venue, efforts were also made to improve the viewing environment itself.
The front of the South Stand, normally used as a passageway, was secured as a wheelchair-exclusive area, and approximately 300 people, including those with visual and hearing impairments, wheelchair users, and their families, were invited. To this end, initiatives were also taken to lower the barriers to attendance.
In addition, initiatives to support viewing, such as transcribing the stadium MC's voice and providing audio commentary on stadium radio, were introduced. Efforts were made to create an environment where even those new to rugby could enjoy it.
The program will specifically introduce these efforts and convey the story behind creating an environment where everyone can enjoy rugby.
◆Towards an Event "Created by Everyone"◆
Universal Day also involves initiatives where everyone can participate in its operation.
Ramgelist, the official volunteer organization that supports the operation of every match, actively participated in the operation of this Universal Day, taking on various roles. Members of It'scom's "Smile Team," employees with mild disabilities, also participated. They were responsible for handing out distributed materials at the entrance gate, helping to warmly welcome visitors. Towards a place where everyone can actively participate—Universal Day is expanding as an event "created by everyone."
The program will convey the potential of rugby to gradually change people and society.
Yugo Shirasaki, Club Visionary Officer of Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, securing the front of the South Stand as a wheelchair-exclusive area.
Members of the "Smile Team" handing out distributed materials at the entrance gate.
Program Outline
Program Name: BlackRams Tokyo Universal Day —No-Side Spectator Seats—
Broadcast Channel: It'scom Channel 11 (Digital Terrestrial 11ch)
Broadcast Date and Time: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 22:15-22:29
*Reruns: Sunday, May 17, 19:30-19:44 / Sunday, June 7, 18:30-18:44 / Saturday, June 13, 19:30-19:44
*It'scom
It's Communications Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Mie Kanai; hereinafter, It'scom) empathized with this vision as a sustainability partner and, with the desire to share this meaningful initiative with many people, produced a special program titled "BlackRams Tokyo Universal Day —No-Side Spectator Seats—." It will be broadcast on It'scom Channel* on Wednesday, May 13. (Reruns available)
It'scom employees covering the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the match venue, and the sense of unity created throughout the stadium.
Universal Day: A Close Look at the Day
At the outdoor event venue on Universal Day, numerous programs were prepared for visitors to experience diverse activities before the match.
Visitors could experience various forms of rugby, such as wheelchair rugby, where players fiercely collide and compete for the ball, blind rugby, played with low-vision goggles, and hands-free wheelchair rugby passing. In addition, there were diverse contents beyond the scope of the competition to deepen understanding of universal access, such as sign language experience for sports viewing, walking experience with a white cane, and a corner introducing the role of assistance dogs.
It'scom also implemented "Kids Space supported by It'scom" as one of the contents, setting up an area where families with small children and people with disabilities could enjoy themselves with peace of mind.
The program will convey the power of sports and the concept of universal access through the experiences of these visitors.
Wheelchair rugby experience, blind rugby experience, Kids Space supported by It'scom
The program's theme is "What can be achieved with the power of sports?"
◆A Challenge Born from Small Discoveries◆
The background of Universal Day lies in the experience of Yugo Shirasaki, Club Visionary Officer of Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo.
It was his visit to Villarreal CF, a Spanish football club. He learned the reason why a small town club was making great strides on the European stage: one of them was "community contribution outside the ground."
The program will convey how Mr. Shirasaki's insights led to the realization of Universal Day and his thoughts behind it.
◆Revisiting the "Norm" of the Stadium◆
At Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the venue, efforts were also made to improve the viewing environment itself.
The front of the South Stand, normally used as a passageway, was secured as a wheelchair-exclusive area, and approximately 300 people, including those with visual and hearing impairments, wheelchair users, and their families, were invited. To this end, initiatives were also taken to lower the barriers to attendance.
In addition, initiatives to support viewing, such as transcribing the stadium MC's voice and providing audio commentary on stadium radio, were introduced. Efforts were made to create an environment where even those new to rugby could enjoy it.
The program will specifically introduce these efforts and convey the story behind creating an environment where everyone can enjoy rugby.
◆Towards an Event "Created by Everyone"◆
Universal Day also involves initiatives where everyone can participate in its operation.
Ramgelist, the official volunteer organization that supports the operation of every match, actively participated in the operation of this Universal Day, taking on various roles. Members of It'scom's "Smile Team," employees with mild disabilities, also participated. They were responsible for handing out distributed materials at the entrance gate, helping to warmly welcome visitors. Towards a place where everyone can actively participate—Universal Day is expanding as an event "created by everyone."
The program will convey the potential of rugby to gradually change people and society.
Yugo Shirasaki, Club Visionary Officer of Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, securing the front of the South Stand as a wheelchair-exclusive area.
Members of the "Smile Team" handing out distributed materials at the entrance gate.
Program Outline
Program Name: BlackRams Tokyo Universal Day —No-Side Spectator Seats—
Broadcast Channel: It'scom Channel 11 (Digital Terrestrial 11ch)
Broadcast Date and Time: Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 22:15-22:29
*Reruns: Sunday, May 17, 19:30-19:44 / Sunday, June 7, 18:30-18:44 / Saturday, June 13, 19:30-19:44
*It'scom