#Japan #Ota City #Ajinomoto AGF #Gunma Crane Thunders #Thunder Girls

Autumn Equinox Special: Experience Basketball and Cheer Dance with Gunma Crane Thunders

On September 23, 2025, Gunma Crane Thunders, in collaboration with Ajinomoto AGF, organized a unique community engagement event at Open House Arena Ota in Ota City, Japan. This special event featured a basketball experience and a cheer dance workshop, aimed primarily at supporting local communities and enriching the lives of participants through sports.

Event Overview

This event, part of a continuing initiative by Ajinomoto AGF, invited students from five high special support schools in Gunma Prefecture—Ota City, Maebashi City, Takasaki City, Isesaki City, and Tatebayashi City. A total of 26 high school students and 13 junior high school students from Ota Special Support School participated, alongside 78 individuals from the general public in the cheer dance workshop.

The partnership between Gunma Crane Thunders and Ajinomoto AGF began in July 2024 when they signed an official partnership agreement. The collaboration has led to a series of events aimed at promoting sports and supporting local communities, including a basketball experience in September 2024 and a parent-child woodworking craft experience in June 2025.

First Part: Basketball Experience

In the first segment of the event, basketball player Daito Taniguchi, who joined Gunma Crane Thunders this season, facilitated an interactive basketball experience alongside the team's coaching staff. A total of 39 students from the special support schools participated in this engaging activity. They were divided into four teams and participated in mini-games, enjoying the thrill of playing alongside professional athletes. The highlight of this part was a special three-point shooting event organized by Taniguchi, where participants cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.

Second Part: Cheer Dance Experience

The second part of the event combined participants from the basketball experience with 78 general attendees, resulting in a lively cheer dance workshop for a total of 117 participants. This segment was conducted by the official cheer dancers of Gunma Crane Thunders, the Thunder Girls, who showcased their award-winning performances from the previous B.LEAGUE AWARD SHOW. The exciting cheer dance experience allowed attendees ranging from elementary to high school to learn choreography and enjoy the energetic atmosphere fostered by the cheerleaders.

Feedback from Participants

Participants expressed overwhelming positivity regarding the events. Many young attendees shared that it was their first time engaging in such activities and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Comments included excitement about wanting to play basketball more in the future and the joy of learning cheer dance techniques. Parents also conveyed gratitude, noting how rewarding it was to see their children enjoying themselves in such collaborative settings, emphasizing hopes for similar future events.

Messages from Dignitaries and Organizers

Daito Taniguchi thanked the local community for their support, stating how valuable it was to connect with fans. He expressed his intent to promote activities aligning with his personal initiative “Three-Piece Activities,” aimed at giving back to the community.

Ota City Mayor Masanobu Hozumi reflected on how such events positively impact the community, appreciating both Gunma Crane Thunders and Ajinomoto AGF for their ongoing support. Meanwhile, Taku Akuzawa, president of Gunma Crane Thunders, emphasized their commitment to inspiring children through basketball, while Masaki Nakazawa from Ajinomoto AGF reiterated their shared mission to energize the community through sports-related events.

Future Plans

Ajinomoto AGF, holding ties to the Gunma prefecture where the events took place, will continue to support Gunma Crane Thunders in various community initiatives. Their efforts will extend beyond the court, collaborating on projects like local reforestation efforts and educational workshops. The partnerships are aimed at nurturing a strong community spirit through sports and engagement.

In conclusion, this special autumn event not only provided an interactive platform for learning basketball and cheer techniques but also strengthened community ties, showcasing the importance of sports in fostering connections and enhancing lives. As Gunma Crane Thunders continues to inspire the region, they, along with Ajinomoto AGF, look forward to many more collaborative efforts aimed at uplifting local communities.