Joint Sports Industry Career Fair 'Asukachi' Held: 'The Joy of Shaping and Communicating Sports'

SSK Co., Ltd. held 'Asukachi 2027,' a joint career fair for sports and health-related companies targeting students graduating in 2027, in Tokyo and Osaka in early March. Each venue saw a record-breaking attendance of over 110 students, achieving a 95% satisfaction rate and creating a fulfilling experience for them. SSK's 2027 new graduate recruitment is accepting applications until April 5.

## A Sense of Accomplishment Born from Completion

This year marked the fifth 'Asukachi' joint career fair, bringing together companies related to sports and health, including sports manufacturers, professional sports teams, sports facility construction firms, and health food makers. Ten companies set up booths at each venue, conducting five 30-minute information sessions. Students eagerly moved between the booths of five companies that interested them.

With an increased number of participating companies, it was impossible for students to visit every booth. Therefore, a networking reception with light refreshments was held after the information sessions. This provided a casual setting for direct communication with company representatives, and about 70% of students from both venues participated. Students commented, 'I was able to have conversations that went beyond the Q&A of the info sessions,' 'I could ask personal questions without hesitation, which is difficult in front of a large group,' and 'I got to hear from employees other than the presenters, gaining a perspective closer to the actual workplace.'

During the reception, Hasegawa Physical Education Facilities Construction Co., Ltd. used a slide presentation to explain their work to students who couldn't attend their session. They showcased recent projects like artificial turf grounds for private schools and sports parks on building rooftops, which are familiar to students. 'We tell new employees that we want them to eventually handle a track and field stadium. Rooftop facilities and school grounds allow for some margin of error, but a track and field stadium, the arena of competition, has a tolerance of 1 in 10,000, meaning a 400m track can only have a 4cm deviation between lanes. This is possible because we have the technology to support a world where 0.01 seconds matter,' they said, showing confidence in their company's technology. 'Working on grounds can be hot or cold. The working environment isn't always great, but when a dirt ground is transformed into a beautiful artificial turf, we sometimes receive direct words of gratitude. The sense of completion brings a great sense of fulfillment.'

## How to Engage with Professional Sports Clubs

One of the key features of Asukachi, being hosted by SSK, is the large number of participating professional sports clubs. Attendees could hear from Gamba Osaka of the J.League (soccer) and Osaka Bluteon of the SV.League (volleyball), but neither had plans for new graduate recruitment. Both clubs participated with the intention that prospective employees should knock on their doors for mid-career positions after gaining specialized expertise.

On the other hand, the Nagoya Diamond Dolphins of the B.League (basketball) have an employee who was hired through Asukachi. 'In this first season with the new arena, it has been a new experience for everyone, and while I'm not sure if we've been able to 'nurture' them, they have been working hard with us,' the representative said. 'The Dolphins are a good fit for students who enjoy interacting with people or are interested in our 'Dolphins Smile' social contribution activities. It takes the cooperation of many people to create the special day of a game, and there's a great sense of achievement in making it happen. Even within the same club, jobs vary by department and role. I'm in charge of selling partner day sponsorships, and I find it rewarding to be a bridge between fans and companies, thinking about 'what are the companies looking for?''

Another way to get involved in professional sports was presented by Join Hands Sport Co., Ltd., which participated in the Tokyo session. As a sports marketing company, they are involved in the management of professional baseball teams and perform activation work (turning sponsorship rights into concrete events and measures) as a partner of the B.League. As a small, young company, the potential for future business expansion and the large degree of individual discretion are also attractive. They received the highest student satisfaction rating at the Tokyo venue, with positive feedback such as, 'I became interested in supporting sports from a position close to the action,' 'I felt that I could be involved in sports in a wide range of ways,' and 'Learning that the company's business is to solve problems in the sports industry, I became interested in the work of supporting sports clubs.'

## Applications for SSK Open Until April 5

SSK Co., Ltd.'s 2027 new graduate recruitment is accepting applications until April 5. The HR representative at SSK stated, 'SSK is not just a manufacturer; our business is diverse, including wholesale, facility management, and the relations business that operates Asukachi. In addition to developing and selling sports products, we are working on solving regional issues and realizing an inclusive society. At the core of all this is the desire to 'energize people and society through sports.' We want students who will expand the fun and possibilities of sports and aim to become a 100-year company with us.'

SSK Co., Ltd. 2027 New Graduate Recruitment Page
https://www.ssksports.com/recruit/

## About SSK

Since its founding in 1946, SSK has been involved in various sports-related businesses. It provides original products centered on SSK Baseball and hummel, as well as domestic and international brand products through a nationwide network. It also operates events like sports days, manages sports facilities, and supports athletes. Under its mission 'to support healthy and affluent lifestyles through sports,' the company aims to provide more people with opportunities to engage with sports, thereby energizing people and society.
[Official Website] https://www.ssksports.com/