#Japan #Tokyo #Community Service #JERA #Yomiuri Giants

Community Clean-Up Event at Tokyo Dome: JERA and Giants Alumni Unite

On May 17, 2025, a heartwarming community service event took place at the Tokyo Dome, organized by JERA in collaboration with the Yomiuri Giants. The project, titled 'JERA City Clean Project,' aimed to promote social contribution through professional baseball. The event drew participation from 42 families, totaling 86 individuals including children and their parents from Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. Notable figures such as former Giants players Shinichi Murata, Yukinaga Maeda, Michihiro Ogasawara, and Hideki Okajima led the cleaning efforts alongside enthusiastic participants.

Welcome Ceremony with Special Guests

As the event commenced, the official mascot girl of the Yomiuri Giants, Venus, took on the role of emcee, introducing the former players who greeted the participants with great enthusiasm. Shinichi Murata expressed his excitement, saying, “Let’s make great memories while keeping the Tokyo Dome clean!” Yukinaga Maeda added, “I’m looking forward to cleaning together with you all. Let's do our best!” Michihiro Ogasawara encouraged everyone to take pride in their work despite the rain, stating, “Cleaning the Dome will surely clear our minds!” Lastly, Hideki Okajima shared his delight in participating for the second time, urging everyone to unite their efforts for a cleaner Dome.

The event's spirit was further uplifted by JERA’s spokesperson, Yuji Ohno, who highlighted the company's initiatives, explaining, “JERA challenges itself to achieve zero CO2 emissions and aims to contribute to society through community cleaning activities with local teams in the Central League.” Following this introduction, representative Sukino from the Clean Rangers, an organization focused on environmental beautification, shared messages of encouragement directed at the children.

Engaging Cleaning Activities with the Giants Alumni

Following the welcome ceremony, participants divided into four groups to take on the challenge of cleaning the spectators’ seats within the Tokyo Dome. The former players actively partnered with the kids, making the experience both fun and educational. Maeda, upon seeing a child's dirty towel, remarked, “It’s quite dirty! That means you really gave it your all!” Meanwhile, Ogasawara engaged with a child who boasted about cleaning efforts at school, saying, “Great job! Let’s see who finishes cleaning faster!” The children gleefully responded, filled with excitement, “We’re so happy we could make it clean!”

Participants expressed their gratitude, stating it was a rare opportunity to clean alongside the OB players. Feedback highlighted the valuable experience of participating in such community service, with many yearning for similar events in the future.

Reflections from the Giants Alumni after the Clean-Up

At the closing ceremony, the former players took a moment to reflect on the day’s activities. Murata emphasized the importance of regular clean-up efforts in both the streets and the Dome. Commenting on the event, he said, “This activity teaches the value of cleaning, contributing positively to society.” Maeda echoed the sentiment, stressing that instilling good habits of cleanliness in children is crucial. Ogasawara shared, “I could feel the kids’ zeal for cleaning. It’s uplifting to see them enjoy the process, and I hope they continue this at home.” Okajima, eager to foster interest in environmental stewardship among the youth, concluded by expressing hope for more initiatives that encourage young people to keep public spaces tidy.

Event Details

• - Date: May 17, 2025
• - Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
• - Location: Tokyo Dome
• - Special Guests: Shinichi Murata, Yukinaga Maeda, Michihiro Ogasawara, Hideki Okajima, and mascot Jabbit
• - Activities: Welcome ceremony, cleaning activities, and closing ceremony

Through engaging events like the JERA City Clean Project, collaboration between corporate sponsors and community leaders demonstrates the profound impact of teamwork in making our surroundings cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone.