VENEX Co., Ltd. Signs Official Partnership with Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team, a Prestigious Program in the Kanto University Basketball League Division 1

VENEX Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture; CEO: Taichi Nakamura; hereinafter "the company"), a company that develops recovery-focused products and services, has signed an official partnership agreement with the Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team (Head Coach: Ken Takeno), a prestigious program in the Kanto University Basketball League Division 1.

Background and Overview of the Partnership

The Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team is one of the most prestigious programs in Japanese collegiate basketball, having achieved the remarkable feat of winning four major titles consecutively in 2010 and 2011, and producing numerous top-tier players. Beyond athletic excellence, the team emphasizes continuous growth, teamwork, perseverance, and gratitude, striving to develop athletes who will succeed in society.

For players who train intensely every day in pursuit of victory, high-quality rest is just as essential as physical training for achieving peak performance. This philosophy of the Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team aligns perfectly with VENEX's mission to educate younger generations about the importance of rest and encourage them to incorporate it into their daily lives. This shared vision led to the establishment of the official recovery wear supplier partnership.

Beyond enhancing athletic performance, VENEX will support the team's efforts to elevate the value of university sports by providing VENEX recovery wear and leveraging the company's expertise cultivated over more than 20 years of research in the science of rest, supporting the players of Aoyama Gakuin University who strive for excellence in both academics and athletics.

Comment from Ken Takeno, Head Coach of Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team

"We sincerely appreciate our new partnership with VENEX Co., Ltd.

Self-management is essential for achieving both high-level athletic performance and the development of individuals who can thrive in society. Thanks to the provision of recovery wear and lectures on the 'Science of Rest,' our players—who balance rigorous daily training with academic responsibilities—have undergone a significant shift in mindset.

They are no longer simply wearing the garments provided; they are proactively engaging in conditioning by understanding the importance of high-quality rest. Proud to be the first university team to receive such support, we will continue striving to demonstrate a new value for university sports within this exceptional environment."

【About Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team】

Founded in 1929, the team is a traditional powerhouse in Japanese collegiate basketball and competes in the Division 1 league of the Kanto University Basketball Association. The team operates from the Aoyama and Sagamihara campuses. Despite having one of the smallest rosters in the league, it maintains an elite, high-intensity training program supported by a comprehensive staff, consistently aiming for the national championship.

Notably, in 2010 and 2011, the team achieved an unprecedented 'four-title sweep' (Kanto University Championship, Kanto University Rookie Tournament, Kanto University League, All-Japan University Championship) for two consecutive years—the first in Japanese collegiate basketball history. The program has produced numerous elite professional players and national team members, including Shinya Hiejima (Utsunomiya Brex) and Naoto Tsuji (Gunma Crane Thunders), who excel at the highest levels in Japan and internationally.

Comment from Taichi Nakamura, CEO of VENEX Co., Ltd.

"We are honored to have signed an official recovery wear supplier agreement with the Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team. It is a great pleasure to support such accomplished athletes. While we have previously partnered with professional basketball teams in the B.League, this marks our first collaboration with a university team dedicated to developing the next generation of top athletes.

The Aoyama Gakuin University Men's Basketball Team recognizes that in basketball—a sport often described as physically demanding—effective recovery from physical and mental stress is essential for performance enhancement, and that 'rest' plays a crucial role. We deeply resonate with their commitment to maintaining their identity of academic and athletic excellence while also prioritizing environmental support, which led to this partnership.

We will support the players in creating an environment where they can fully commit to both their studies and team activities, standing beside them as a partner in their journey."

【About VENEX】

Focusing on "rest"—one of the three essential elements of health, alongside "exercise" and "nutrition"—VENEX develops, manufactures, and sells recovery-support products, including its flagship recovery-specific wear, while also conducting research, public education, and services related to recovery. The company began as a manufacturer of nursing care products, notably developing and selling a pressure ulcer prevention mattress. Today, it specializes in recovery-related product development based on the science of rest.

Guided by the concept of "maximizing the body's innate self-recovery ability," VENEX recovery wear was developed through a collaborative industry-academia-government project involving Tokai University, Kanagawa Prefecture, and the company. Emphasizing scientific evidence and safety, the product launched in February 2010 as "recovery-specific wear" and has since been widely adopted by athletes, including members of Japan's national teams, for fatigue recovery and improved sleep. With extensive product lines now available at major department stores nationwide and online, the series has achieved cumulative sales of 2.5 million units (as of early June 2026), becoming a major hit.

【Company Overview: VENEX Co., Ltd.】

Company Name: VENEX Co., Ltd. Representative: CEO Taichi Nakamura Headquarters: 4F, Asaoka Building, 4-4-13 Nakamachi, Atsugi City, Kanagawa 243-0018, Japan Phone: 046-200-9288 Founded: September 30, 2005 Business Activities: Development, manufacturing, and sales of recovery-support products; research, education, services, and development related to recovery Website: https://www.venex-j.co.jp/