Sara Takanashi Holds 'JUMP for The Earth PROJECT' Trekking & Clean Action in Zao with Approximately 100 Participants

As the 9th activity of the 'JUMP for The Earth PROJECT', launched in May 2023 by ski jumper Sara Takanashi to protect the natural environment of snowy mountains and preserve snow sports for the next generation, the 'JUMP for The Earth PROJECT Trekking & Clean Action in Zao' was held on Saturday, June 6. Participants walked through Zao, feeling the beauty of the mountains, and engaged in clean-up activities such as garbage collection to protect them. This marks the 4th consecutive year the event has been held in Zao.

Guests Included Snowboarder Kokomo Murase and Climate Scientist Professor Seita Emori

Zao is a sacred place for winter sports and a special location for Sara Takanashi, who achieved her first World Cup victory there in 2012, making it the starting point of her competitive career. On the other hand, in recent years, the effects of snow shortages and climate change have become evident worldwide, bringing significant changes to the environment surrounding winter sports. In response to this current situation, this event was held not merely as a 'clean-up activity', but as a place to think about the future of the Earth with the next generation by combining sports and environmental education.

Under the theme of 'What we can do now to protect snow and nature' set by this project, a variety of guests participated again this year. Snowboarder Kokomo Murase and Seita Emori, a climate scientist, professor at the Institute for Future Initiatives at the University of Tokyo, and a lead author for the 5th and 6th Assessment Reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), took the stage as guests.

Ms. Murase, who is active on the front lines of winter sports, spoke about the changes and feelings she experiences while facing nature as an athlete. Professor Emori conveyed in easy-to-understand terms what is currently happening due to global warming and how it could potentially affect children's lives in the future.

Trekking & Clean-up in Zao with About 100 People

On the day of the event, Sara Takanashi, children and parents from Yamagata Prefecture's next-generation athlete discovery program 'YAMAGATA Dream Kids', and general participants—totaling about 100 people—joined. After warming up their bodies with NIKE Trainer Kaho, they trekked and cleaned up an approximately 2 km course around the Aliontech Zao Schanze for about 60 minutes under the guidance of Zao mountain instructors. They interacted with Zao's majestic nature and learned about the joy of coexisting with it. Future athletes who participated shared impressions such as, 'I was able to hear about meals during overseas expeditions. Walking in the forest changed my view of nature.' During the scene where children learned directly from mountain instructors about Zao's trees, flowers, and animals, their eager questions were also impressive.

Talk Show: 'What we can do now to protect snow and nature'

After the trekking & clean action, a talk show featuring Sara Takanashi, Kokomo Murase, and Professor Seita Emori was held. The scientists accepted the reality of climate change felt from the athletes' perspectives with the viewpoint of 'what is happening on Earth right now', and the discussion finally landed on concrete actions addressing 'What can we start doing now?'.

Sara Takanashi said, 'Since we had experts like Professor Emori and world-class athlete Murase, we were able to learn a lot while interacting with nature. I would be happy if they could pass on what they experienced here to various people. I hope this circle will continue to expand.' Ms. Murase remarked, 'Talking about the environment with participants and walking in the mountains together was a happy time. (When I was a child) I just did snowboarding, but since high school, I started thinking about the natural environment when there was too little snow to hold tournaments or I had to go overseas to snowboard. I want to tell the people around me what happened today and do what I can in my own way.' Professor Emori stated, 'We need to change the system of society as a whole. I am glad that top athletes are sending out a sense of crisis.' After the talk, a quiz competition related to the content learned was held. The 10 correct answerers received original tumblers limited to this event, and the venue was very lively.

My Bottle Bar Set Up Again This Year

The venue also set up three My Bottle Bars (water supply spots) again this year. Many participants brought their own bottles, consciously reducing disposable plastics and promoting resource circulation, quenching their thirst from the clean-up activities. This My Bottle Bar is the realization of an idea born from an exchange of opinions on 'actions to solve environmental problems that can be done at sports events' between Sara Takanashi and high school students during the second E activity 'Sara Takanashi × Fuji Girls' High School Workshop' held in October 2023.

JUMP for The Earth PROJECT Trekking & Clean Action in Zao Overview Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 9:30-12:00 Venue: Aliontech Zao Schanze Contents: - Participatory Trekking & Clean Action - Warm-up by NIKE Trainer Kaho - Talk Show 'What we can do now to protect snow and nature' Appearance: Sara Takanashi Guests: Kokomo Murase (Snowboarder) Seita Emori (Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo / Climate Scientist) Kaho (NIKE Trainer) Participation Fee: Free Number of Participants: Approx. 100 Organizer: JUMP for The Earth PROJECT Support: Yamagata City / Zao Onsen Tourism Association Sponsors: Kuraray Co., Ltd. / Alco Co., Ltd. / Visa Worldwide Japan Co., Ltd. / Aliontech Co., Ltd. Grant: The Nippon Foundation

Sara Takanashi's Comment

Every time I see the children enjoying themselves in nature and each finding their own discoveries or things they like, I realize that it was good to continue this activity. Also, if this experience remains as a 'fun' memory, and when those children become adults, it leads to the consciousness of 'I want to protect this nature' and 'I want to connect it to the future', I would be happy. Picking up garbage might seem like a matter of course, but I think each of these actions is an important first step to protect nature, and I believe that the consciousness of each person will become the power to change the mechanism of society and the future. Through the JUMP for The Earth PROJECT, I would like to continue creating opportunities to interact with nature, expand that circle further, and connect it to a rich natural environment in the future.

Sara Takanashi

Started jumping in the second grade of elementary school, and in February 2011 at the Continental Cup, she achieved the youngest victory ever for a female athlete at an official international ski jumping competition recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS). After that, FIS World...