Taisho University Establishes Track and Field Club with Aim to Compete in Hakone Ekiden

Taisho University (President: Tomozumi Jindai, Location: Toshima-ku, Tokyo) has established a new track and field club, effective April 1, 2026, as a core measure of its "Sports Enhancement" initiative. This initiative aims to improve student athletic performance and strengthen the university's brand communication, coinciding with its 100th anniversary in 2026. Masami Soeta has been appointed as the first director of the club.

Mr. Soeta has extensive coaching experience in the university Ekiden world, including leading teams as a director in the Hakone Ekiden main race, and has been highly regarded for both improving athletic performance and developing athletes. His expertise and leadership are expected to be fully utilized in the challenging endeavor of launching Taisho University's track and field club.

Furthermore, to enhance the coaching system, Nobuharu Sato, who has rich experience as a director, coach, and scout in corporate teams and universities, has also been appointed. He will work in conjunction with the director to strengthen the team.

As an educational institution, the Taisho University Track and Field Club also emphasizes fostering human potential and collaborating with local communities, aiming to create new value in university sports. This is a challenge from scratch, but while valuing student growth, not just athletic results, the club will strive to build a team that can compete at a national level, with the goal of participating in the Hakone Ekiden main race.

[Director Profile] Name: Masami Soeta Date of Birth: March 29, 1977 (Age 49) Alma Mater: Kokushikan University

● Career History August 2010 - March 2015: Long-distance Coach, Track and Field Club, Tokyo Keizai University April 2015 - October 2015: Ekiden Coach, Track and Field Club, Kokushikan University November 2015 - March 2022: Ekiden Director, Track and Field Club, Kokushikan University April 2022 - March 2026: Ekiden Coach, Track and Field Club, Kokushikan University April 2026 - Present: Director, Track and Field Club, Taisho University

● Main Achievements ・8 consecutive appearances in the Hakone Ekiden (Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip University Ekiden Race) (93rd to 100th) ・Participated in the All Japan University Ekiden Championship (48th and 55th) ・Director of the Kanto Student United Team for the 92nd Hakone Ekiden (Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip University Ekiden Race)

[Scout Manager and Strengthening Coach Profile] Name: Nobuharu Sato Date of Birth: January 11, 1961 (Age 65) Place of Birth: Fukushima Prefecture

● Career History April 2003: Director, Fujitsu Track and Field Club March 2005: Director, JAL Grand Service Track and Field Club December 2010: Director, Seitoku University Track and Field Club April 2018: Appointed Coach and Scout, Komazawa University Track and Field Club (concurrently with Seitoku University) April 2026: Coach, Track and Field Club, Taisho University

● Main Achievements After being appointed as coach and scout for the Komazawa University Track and Field Club in 2018, he dedicated himself to discovering and nurturing top-level athletes nationwide under the guidance of the Komazawa University Track and Field Club (currently General Director Hiroaki Oyakagi). He also made significant contributions to improving the team's athletic performance, supporting the following achievements in the "Three Major University Ekiden Races": ・Hakone Ekiden (Tokyo-Hakone Round-Trip University Ekiden Race): 2 overall victories ・Izumo Ekiden (Izumo All Japan University Selected Ekiden Race): 2 victories ・All Japan University Ekiden Championship: 5 victories

◆ Taisho University Taisho University is a university collaboratively operated by the four founding sects: Tendai, Shingon Buzan, Shingon Chisan, Jodo, and Ji. The spirit of this collaboration is supported by the founding philosophy of "Practice of Wisdom and Compassion," established at its founding in Taisho 15 (1926). "Practice of Wisdom and Compassion" represents the way of life of a Bodhisattva in Buddhism, meaning "one who aspires to complete their own training and save all sentient beings." Under this philosophy, the university has established an educational vision, "Becoming Four Kinds of People," rooted in Buddhist principles: Compassion, Self-Illumination, Middle Way, and Coexistence. Building on its history, the university regards its 100th anniversary in 2026 as a "Second Founding" and is further expanding its educational and research activities. Official Website: https://www.tais.ac.jp/