Okayama Prefecture's First Certified Drone Soccer Tournament to be Held in Nishiawakura Village. A Privately-Led Challenge Independent of Government Budget, Transmitting Future Sports from a Village of 1,300 People

The Japan Drone Soccer Federation Okayama Branch (Godo Kaisha misora / Nishiawakura Village, Okayama Prefecture) will host Okayama Prefecture's first certified drone soccer tournament, "JDSF Certification Cup Round 1 in Okayama Presented by Sato Kensetsu ― Nishiawakura, a Village of 1,300 People, Becomes the Stage for Future Sports," on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at Nishiawakura Village Elementary School Gymnasium.

This tournament is the first certified drone soccer tournament in Okayama Prefecture, held in Nishiawakura Village, a mountainous region with a population of approximately 1,300 people. Its most significant feature is that it is a privately-led tournament, realized through the sponsorship of local companies and supporters, without relying on government subsidies or project budgets. While many local events depend on government support, this tournament is a challenge shaped by the desire to "make it happen" and the desire to "support it," and we believe it is an initiative that demonstrates new possibilities for regional revitalization.

The organizing Okayama Branch has been actively pursuing its activities, having received support totaling 1,761,500 yen from 100 individuals through two crowdfunding campaigns conducted in 2025. The base team, Drone Soccer Team misora, quickly advanced to the top ranks nationwide and participated in the World Championship as a member of the Japanese delegation. The birth of a competitive team that challenges from a small local village to the national and even international stage is a significant meaning and story of this tournament.

Crowdfunding TOP page conducted from February to March 2025

Event Outline

Tournament Name "JDSF Certification Cup Round 1 in Okayama Presented by Sato Kensetsu ― Nishiawakura, a Village of 1,300 People, Becomes the Stage for Future Sports."

Date Sunday, May 24, 2026

Venue Nishiawakura Village Elementary School Gymnasium

Organizers Japan Drone Soccer Federation Okayama Branch Godo Kaisha misora

Held Concurrently Hyakumori Festival

Tournament Type Okayama Prefecture's First Certified Drone Soccer Tournament

What is Drone Soccer?

Drone soccer is a sport where teams compete to score points by operating specialized drones protected by spherical frames. Its characteristics include the sense of speed and impact of aerial maneuvers, as well as requiring not only piloting skills but also instantaneous judgment, team coordination, understanding of aircraft maintenance, and strategic thinking.

While possessing the appeal of a sport, it also serves as an entry point to drone technology, attracting attention in recent years from the perspectives of education, community interaction, and human resource development. The value unique to this sport lies in the fact that beyond the excitement of the competition, it fosters interest in technology and opportunities for learning.

Drone soccer tournament held in Harborland, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture on March 21, 2026

1. Clear News Value as Okayama Prefecture's First Certified Tournament This tournament is the first certified drone soccer tournament to be held in Okayama Prefecture. In addition to its novelty as a competitive event, it has thematic relevance that makes it easy for local media to cover, encompassing sports, education, and regional revitalization.

2. Privately-Led Tournament Operation Independent of Government Budget This tournament is made possible by the sponsorship of local companies and supporters, rather than government subsidies or project budgets. It's not about "doing it because there's a budget," but about "making it happen because there are people who want to do it and people who support it." This structure itself demonstrates a new model for regional revitalization that doesn't rely on subsidies.

From right, Mr. Kimiyasu Sato, Representative Director of Sato Kensetsu Co., Ltd., who provided special sponsorship for this tournament, and Chiemi Shirahata, Representative of Japan Drone Soccer Federation Okayama Branch.

3. A Regional Challenge from a Village of 1,300 People to the Nation Nishiawakura Village, despite being a small village with a population of approximately 1,300, has been known as a "challenging region" for its entrepreneurship and creation of local ventures utilizing forests and regional resources. This tournament, born from that foundation, is also a practical example of transmitting new sports culture from a rural area.

4. The Structure Connecting Local Industries and Future Sports Companies from different fields such as construction, drones, processing, and regional infrastructure development are working together to support the tournament. It is a tournament that visualizes local companies investing in future sports and next-generation development, and at the same time, it is a declaration of intent for the future of the region.

5. Synergistic Effects from Concurrent Holding of Hyakumori Festival This tournament is held concurrently with the local event "Hyakumori Festival." The intersection of local residents, tourists, and competition officials will enhance the vibrancy of the entire village and lead to the creation of exchange and related populations. A day where the excitement of the festival and the dynamism of advanced sports coexist will create a memorable scene unique to the region.

Significance for the Region

In rural areas, complex issues such as population decline, outflow of young people, regional disparities in educational opportunities, and a shortage of industrial workers are progressing. On the other hand, drones are increasingly gaining presence as a technology that supports local communities in agriculture, disaster prevention, inspection, surveying, logistics, and more.

Air Assist Japan Co., Ltd., which is participating as a special sponsor, handles fertilizer and pesticide spraying by agricultural drones, growth management support through AI data linkage, aerial photography, inspection, surveying, and disaster prevention support, demonstrating that drone technology is already being implemented in local fields.

We believe that drone soccer has great potential as an entry point to this. While having the appeal of a sport, it can naturally spark interest in advanced technology among children and young generations, and create opportunities for them to think, challenge, and grow with their peers. This tournament is not just a sports event. It is a challenge to create new culture and learning circuits in the region, and it can also be an opportunity to foster future industrial human resources and regional leaders from Nishiawakura Village.

Organizer's Comment

Chiemi Shirahata, Representative of Japan Drone Soccer Federation Okayama Branch / Godo Kaisha misora

"This tournament could not have been realized by my efforts alone. It has taken shape thanks to the support of many people, including the sponsoring companies and organizations. First and foremost, I believe it is paramount to make this first certified drone soccer tournament in Okayama Prefecture a success. Beyond that, I want to ensure that this is not just a one-day event, but to firmly establish drone soccer in northern Okayama Prefecture and foster a culture where children and young generations can experience future technologies and new challenges. We will create new pride and possibilities for the region from Nishiawakura Village."

Gratitude to Sponsoring Companies

For the holding of this tournament, we have received special sponsorship from Sato Kensetsu Co., Ltd. Air Assist Japan Co., Ltd. Awakura Sanmi Co., Ltd. Shiraiwa Kensetsu Co., Ltd. and many other companies and organizations.

Sato Kensetsu Co., Ltd., which is also named in the tournament title, is a special sponsor of this tournament and also supports the event as the main sponsor of Drone Soccer Team misora. The stance of a company that supports regional infrastructure investing in the possibilities of cutting-edge sports and next-generation technology symbolizes the social significance of this tournament.

Realizing the tournament through the power of local companies and supporters, without relying on government budgets. This structure itself is the value of this tournament and a new practice for creating the future from rural areas.

Future Outlook

This tournament is not a one-off event. It is positioned as a starting point for continuously holding tournaments in the northern Okayama Prefecture area and developing it into a hub where competitors and spectators gather.

In Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, there is the Japan Drone Soccer Federation's base facility, "Drone Soccer Arena Oita," where official matches are held throughout the year. In Nishiawakura Village as well, we envision using this tournament as a starting point to promote the sport and connect it to continuous regional tournaments and human resource development.

We aim for this challenge, starting from a small village, to become a model that updates the future of rural areas.

Company Profile / Organizer Profile

Organization Name Japan Drone Soccer Federation Okayama Branch (Godo Kaisha misora)

Location Nishiawakura Village, Okayama Prefecture

Representative Chiemi Shirahata

Business Activities Drone soccer popularization, smart agriculture business using drones, other drone-related businesses

Official Website https://misoradrone.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/misora.drone/

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@chiemi-drone

Special Sponsor Company Profiles

Sato Kensetsu Co., Ltd.

A general construction company based in Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture. They support local life and town planning through civil engineering, construction, housing, and design. Official Website: https://satoukensetsu.co.jp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satou.kensetsu.official/

Air Assist Japan Co., Ltd.

A company based in Sayo Town, Hyogo Prefecture, engaged in pesticide and fertilizer spraying by agricultural drones, promotion of smart agriculture, aerial photography, inspection, surveying, and disaster prevention support. They are advancing the regional implementation of drone technology. Official Website: https://air-assist.co.jp/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/air_assist_japan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aaj-drone

Awakura Sanmi Co., Ltd.

A company based in Nishiawakura Village, Okayama Prefecture, responsible for local processing technology. They support the industrial base with their manufacturing capabilities.

Shiraiwa Kensetsu Co., Ltd.

A construction company based in Nishiawakura Village, Okayama Prefecture, responsible for regional infrastructure development through civil engineering, paving, and water supply facilities.

Sponsoring Companies

Hyakumori Co., Ltd.

Seirin Co., Ltd.

Kobayashi Confectionery

Okaga Doken Co., Ltd.

Beauty Salon Na-tu Beauty And several other companies and individuals.

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