As part of their commitment to addressing societal issues based on the three themes of environment, society, and local community, the Rakuten Eagles held a Sustainable Day on June 30th at their home stadium, Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi.As the only professional Baseball team bearing the name of Tohoku, the team's desire to maintain its presence has resonated with many, expanding the circle of empathy. With the cooperation of local companies, this year marks the third time the event has been held.

The theme of this Sustainable Day is “Let’s Get Sustainable”.A program was planned where fans visiting the stadium could have the opportunity to learn and think about sustainability through a fun, hands-on experience of “watching, touching, and experiencing”.

Among various initiatives, the one that received the most feedback was the “Sustainable Grand Prize” exhibition corner, which was solicited from fans.Submissions were solicited in advance for works themed on sustainability in two categories: Senryu(short poem) and illustration. Those selected for the grand prize were treated to lavish gifts, including the opportunity to participate in the opening pitch and join the starting family on the day of the event.

Senryu by athletes are also on display.This is “One Step at a Time Towards Sustainability” by Eigoro Mogi.

The fans who came to watch are also stopped in their tracks by the impressive works of the applicants.

All the illustrations by the children are colorful and cute.

The corner of the “Uniform Recycling Project,” piled up with thousands of uniforms, also caught the eye.An initiative to collect Rakuten Eagles uniforms from 2005 to 2023 that are no longer needed from fans and transform them into valuable new products.At the venue, many fans were seen bringing in their uniforms filled with memories one after another.

The number of uniforms collected at the time of the interview was a whopping 6,465!It is said that it reached up to 8,949 entries by the end of the period.

This year, in addition to the “Food Drive” that collects unused food that cannot be completely consumed at home, a “Toy Drive” was also initiated for the first time, which collects toys such as picture books and stuffed animals that are present in households.In order to achieve social contribution and redistribution of resources, it is planned that collected food and toys will be donated to families and facilities in need.

The “Fureai Product Market”, which sells products handmade by welfare service facilities for the disabled in Sendai city, was also bustling. Handmade goods and food were sold at several booths, and visitors were able to get their hands on products with a sense of warmth.

On this day, there were also visitors buying souvenirs to commemorate their visit to the stadium.

Additionally, the event “Para Sports Sendai in Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi” was held, where you can experience one-handed play catch and wheelchair batting.Many visitors had the opportunity to experience the fun and difficulty of Parasports.

One-handed play catch by the people of the “Sendai Welfare Mates”, a baseball team for people with physical disabilities.I had the experience of going through a series of actions: catching the ball, taking off the glove, and then throwing it back.

People from the wheelchair softball team “Miyagi Fighting Spirits” who were practicing wheelchair batting.

Swinging a bat is quite a struggle when your lower body is immobilized. Hitting the ball is even more difficult.

The “Sustainable Workshop” was popular among visitors with children.With the cooperation of local organizations, programs that captivate children were introduced, such as riding on a waste collection packer truck, experiencing loading garbage, and painting on “Ishinomaki Kokeshi” made from thinned wood.

A cleaning vehicle of the Sendai Cleaning Public Corporation, which runs on 100% renewable energy.

There was also an exhibition of Kokeshi, an upcycle of the bat that broke during the game.It seemed that the children who participated were able to enjoy learning about sustainable everyday actions through the carefully devised workshops.

Wrapped Kokeshi.

As a new initiative, a program titled “Inclusive Baseball Viewing” was also implemented within the stadium.This was planned in collaboration with the non-profit organization AYA, with the aim of ensuring that all children can enjoy watching games with peace of mind. A special invitation slot has been set up for children who require medical care or have disabilities, and their families.

A spacious area. There are even smiling scenes where families who know each other happen to run into each other.

Daisuke Yamagata, the head of Rakuten Baseball Team’s stadium department, who also serves as the leader of the Sustainable Promotion Project, discusses the “significance of Sustainable Day” that the team is working on.

In the third edition, “Besides the environment, we’ve been mindful of the three themes put forth by the Rakuten Eagles: community, social initiatives, and communication. Also, a change this year, which marked the third time, was that we were able to enhance our outreach by having the athletes cooperate in announcing events such as video filming to introduce the Senryu of the Sustainable Grand Prize. “This indicates that we have achieved a certain level of penetration with the project within the team.

Furthermore, it was suggested that “Through Sustainable Day, not only athletes and staff, but also fans and local residents can promote the cultivation of awareness towards sustainability, which may lead to considering new initiatives”, showing eagerness towards further development.

Rakuten Group has the slogan, “Powered by Sports. Playing for All. A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER”. This Sustainable Day was a reminder of our aspiration to create a society where everyone can enjoy sports in their own way, and a future where sports continue to enrich the world.

We want to provide an opportunity to learn and think about a wide range of topics such as the environment, society, and local communities, while enjoying through the sport of Baseball.The philosophy ingrained in the team, which is about finding and practicing what sports can do towards realizing a sustainable world and constructing a society that recognizes diversity, was strongly reflected in the Rakuten Eagles’ Sustainable Day.

By each person taking care to separate resources, the environment is sure to improve.

TEXT: Nariko Inoue
EDIT: Yohsuke Watanabe, Shiori Saeki (IN FOCUS)