[Event Report] Former TBS Taiyu Ishii, Olympian Kumiko Okada, and Others Appear! 'LOCOK Track & Field Club' New System Launch Press Conference Held

LOCOK Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Daiki Ishii; hereinafter, LOCOK), which operates early childhood education and wellness businesses, held a press conference on Tuesday, April 21st, to announce the launch of the new 'LOCOK Track & Field Club' system and the new project 'PROJECT You can do it if you try!'. As guests, the newly appointed GM Taiyu Ishii, coach Kumiko Okada, and athlete Sachiko Umeno, a two-time Japan Championship race walking champion, took the stage to discuss their thoughts on the project and future goals. ■ Outline of 'LOCOK Track & Field Club' and new project 'PROJECT You can do it if you try!' At the beginning, Representative Director Daiki Ishii explained the outline of the 'LOCOK Track & Field Club' and the new project 'PROJECT You can do it if you try!'. He stated, "LOCOK's original and core business is preschools, but we do not teach any 'how-to' for passing exams. Instead, we nurture the truly important human skills needed to live. Especially important is the idea that 'you can do it if you try' – the belief that you can grow significantly by diligently and persistently continuing every day." He further explained that 'PROJECT You can do it if you try!' is a company-wide project to convey this philosophy to many people, and as its driving force, the 'LOCOK Track & Field Club' was established this time, bringing together track and field members who embody 'You can do it if you try!' through their earnest daily efforts. ■ GM Ishii: "I want to support athletes who have a wonderful impact on society." Taiyu Ishii, who left TBS in January this year and was appointed GM on April 1st, reflected on his experiences as a professional tennis player and his days covering athletes worldwide as an announcer. He said, "Top athletes globally enjoy their sport and constantly think about contributing to society," and declared that he would leverage his background to create an environment that nurtures athletes with high human character who impact society, not just technical skills. He expressed his hope that many children would see Umeno and Coach Okada's efforts and feel that they 'can do it if they try' by taking one step at a time to reach great heights. He also showed enthusiasm for the development of race walking, Japan's traditional strength, saying, "I would be happy to provide live commentary if offered." ■ Coach Okada: "A new challenge for women to coach women." A two-person start with athlete Umeno. Kumiko Okada, who participated in three Olympic Games and began her career as a coach in April, expressed her aspirations, stating, "It's a new challenge in the race walking world for a female athlete to be coached by a woman." She emphasized that speed is not everything, and expressed her desire for many children to see the appeal of race walking – adhering to rules and walking beautifully – and to promote 'Beautiful, Fast, Strong' through social media. Athlete Umeno, who is being coached, mentioned that incorporating a custom chair to maintain pelvic anterior tilt in her daily life is an example of how meticulous effort leads to 'You can do it if you try!'. Regarding the Asian Games in September (Aichi/Nagoya), her first major international competition under the new system, she expressed her determination, saying, "I believe achieving results is my way of repaying Coach Okada," and showed a strong will to win a medal. ■ "11-hour walk in 3 and a half hours": Explaining the incredible speed of race walking. The event also introduced the rules and appeal of race walking. Athlete Umeno demonstrated fouls such as 'loss of contact,' where both feet leave the ground. When it was revealed that Umeno's time of '3 hours, 33 minutes, 47 seconds' recorded at last month's competition was an astonishing speed, covering a distance that would take 11 hours at a typical walking pace, gasps of surprise rose from the audience. The newly established LOCOK Track & Field Club, with the vision of 'Beyond speed, true strength,' aims to be more than just a 'fast' group, but to create a team with high human character that children look up to. By giving back the 'correct human attitude' and 'grit' cultivated through competition by top athletes to the next generation, and acting as a 'living textbook,' the club teaches the preciousness of effort and generates energy to pioneer Japan's future. Please look forward to various 'PROJECT You can do it if you try!' initiatives centered around this club. Event Name: LOCOK Track & Field Club New System Launch Press Conference Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 13:30-14:30 Location: LOCOK Wellness Garden Shinagawa Gotenyama Speakers: Taiyu Ishii, Kumiko Okada, Sachiko Umeno, Daiki Ishii Contents: Organizer's Greetings / Project Overview Explanation / Talk Session / Statement of Determination / Q&A / Photo Session ■ About LOCOK Co., Ltd. The company was founded in 1992 as the preschool 'Tsukushi-kai'.