JPF Scholarship Award Ceremony and Discussion Session for FY2026 Held

JPF Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shuntaro Watanabe) held an award ceremony for the second cohort of its "JPF Scholarship" on April 1, 2026, and newly selected nine scholarship students.

This year, the program expanded from last year's three first-cohort students, selecting a total of nine students, including two female athletes. This establishes a system to support student cyclists with more diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, two first-cohort students, Hyuga Kiuchi and Yuta Uchino, were continuously selected for the second cohort, and continue to participate in this program as role models who balance both academics and athletics.

JPF Scholarship 2nd Cohort Award Ceremony

The JPF Scholarship is a program that supports students engaged in cycling to grow into individuals who can thrive in society in the future, while balancing their studies and athletic endeavors. It aims not only to improve athletic performance but also to foster individuals who can give back to society the experiences gained through competition.

At the award ceremony, each scholarship student spoke about their future goals and aspirations, providing an opportunity to share their strong determination towards their respective challenges.

JPF will continue to contribute to the development of cycling and the nurturing of next-generation talent through this program, and also promote the creation of social value through sports.

Comment from Representative Director Shuntaro Watanabe

Thank you for applying for the JPF Scholarship. Congratulations on your selection. This scholarship program is now in its second year, and the number of applicants has increased since last year.

I feel that this program is gradually expanding thanks to the success of our first-cohort students.

I would like to speak about the thoughts embedded in the JPF Scholarship program. Sports inherently have the power to attract people, move hearts, and influence society. Achieving results in competition is certainly important, but it's also crucial to consider how much support one receives from others and how positively one can influence those around them. Through my interactions with many top athletes, I have strongly felt that they can become individuals who influence society beyond the realm of competition. That is why this scholarship was established not merely to support the improvement of athletic ability, but with the desire for these individuals to become future pillars of the cycling world and society.

For now, please focus on your competition. That is the top priority. Beyond that, I want you to value becoming a person who is widely supported, and to actively communicate and build a fanbase for yourselves.

And in the future, we expect you to grow into individuals who support society. To that end, please broaden your horizons by taking interest in fields other than your sport, and strive to improve yourselves.

I hope this scholarship will support your challenges and lead to a bright future. We sincerely look forward to your future successes.

Representative Director Shuntaro Watanabe

Comment from Managing Director Yuhei Kuroe

This scholarship program aims to encourage you to undertake challenges that expand your possibilities within a long-term life plan.

During youth, there is ample time and fewer hurdles to challenges, so it is important to actively engage in various endeavors. As the probability of success generally doesn't change significantly, increasing the number of challenges leads to results. By taking on challenges in diverse fields, not limited to competition, the breadth of experience expands, and consequently, opportunities for success increase.

We hope this scholarship will be utilized as a self-investment in such experiences. Time is a significant capital, and by dedicating it not only to competition but also to learning and experiences, human capital is enhanced, leading to the expansion of future possibilities.

Furthermore, we expect you to cultivate the ability to articulate your experiences and thoughts through communication on social media, etc., making this a fruitful year.

Managing Director Yuhei Kuroe

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JPF Scholarship Students for FY2026 (in no particular order)

- Hayato Karimine Affiliation: Doshisha University / Faculty of Health and Sports Science Discipline: BMX Main achievements: 2024 All Japan Cycling Championships - BMX Racing Men junior 1st place

- Hyuga Kiuchi Affiliation: Nippon Sport Science University / Department of Sports Management Discipline: BMX Main achievements: 2025 Asian Cycling Championships - BMX Racing Men U23 2nd place

- Ryunosuke Kishi Affiliation: Hosei University / Faculty of Sports and Health Science Discipline: BMX Main achievements: 2024 Asian Cycling Championships - BMX Racing Men junior 3rd place

- Yuta Uchino Affiliation: Kumamoto Prefectural University / Faculty of General Management Discipline: MTB Main achievements: All Japan Cycling Championships MTB-XCC/XCO - 4th place

- Ren Mochizuki Affiliation: Nihon University / College of Humanities and Sciences Discipline: Road Main achievements: Tour de l'avenir Stage 3 U23 29th place

- Mia Nabeshima Affiliation: Hosei University / Faculty of Letters, Department of English Literature Discipline: Track & Road Main achievements: 2025 All Japan Cycling Championships Track Race - 2nd place in 3 disciplines (Women's Junior Sprint, Keirin, 1km Time Trial)

- Yamato Kazama Affiliation: Hosei University / Faculty of Law Discipline: Track & Road Main achievements: 2025 All Japan Student Cycling Championships East Japan Track Rookie Tournament Men's Points Race 1st place

- Mana Shirai Affiliation: Nippon Sport Science University Discipline: Track & Road Main achievements: 2025 Japan Track Cup I & II - Women's Junior Scratch 1st place

- Sora Takagi Affiliation: The University of Tokyo / College of Arts and Sciences (Liberal Arts, Division II) Discipline: Track & Road Main achievements: 2025 All Japan Student Individual Road TT Cycling Championships C3 15th place

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About JPF Co., Ltd.

JPF Co., Ltd. invented slit cameras for judging finish orders in public sports such as keirin and boat races in 1950. Since then, it has supported judging operations at many public sports venues. In 2010, the company launched a total management business for public sports venues, expanding operational support nationwide. Based on the philosophy of "continuing to be a company that provides opportunities for human growth," JPF promotes various initiatives such as regional revitalization and cycle sports promotion.

Company Name: JPF Co., Ltd. Location: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo (Headquarters) Representative: Shuntaro Watanabe, Representative Director URL: https://www.jpf.co.jp/

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[Contact for this matter]

JPF Co., Ltd. 2048 Project (Contact: Shimizu, Nakamura) TEL: 03-6697-7166