Mitsubishi Estate Extends Partnership as Official Sponsor of Asia Koshien

In an exciting update for baseball enthusiasts, Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. has renewed its contract as an official sponsor for the second Asia Koshien tournament, which is set to take place from December 13 to 20, 2025, in Jakarta, Indonesia. This announcement comes from the NB.ACADEMY, a nonprofit organization based in Shibuya, Tokyo, dedicated to spreading Japan's traditional baseball culture throughout Asia.

The inaugural tournament is scheduled for December 17 to 21, 2024, also in Jakarta, and has already received significant positive feedback from both participants and spectators. Riding on the success of this first iteration, the second edition aims to be even larger, fostering interactions and friendships among various regions in Asia through the sport of baseball.

Mitsubishi Estate has a long-standing commitment to community development and sports, having played a pivotal role in transforming the Marunouchi area over the past 135 years into a thriving business district. This transformative journey mirrors the 100-plus years of history that the Koshien tournament has built, highlighting the dedication of the company in nurturing future talent and promoting community growth through baseball.

As an integral part of the tournament, Mitsubishi Estate will collaborate with JS Luwansa Hotel, which it operates in Indonesia, to support the event. The hotel will serve as the official venue for accommodations and conversations, ensuring that stakeholders have a conducive environment for discussions and celebrations around the tournament.

Mitsubishi Estate’s President, Atsushi Nakashima, expressed pride in continuing the partnership with the Asia Koshien initiative. He stated that the event not only aims to promote the spirit and culture of Japanese baseball across Asia but also serves as an opportunity to strengthen ties between Asia and Japan. Nakashima emphasized his desire for participants to enjoy and support the tournament, making it a memorable experience for all involved.

Shogo Shibata, the representative director of NB.ACADEMY, also shared his enthusiasm towards the partnership. He remarked that Mitsubishi Estate’s history of building communities resonates with their mission of establishing Koshien culture throughout Asia. The aim is to inspire young generations through baseball, helping them to discover their potential in environments where opportunities may be limited. Shibata views this collaboration as a pathway to generate new cultural values and bolster developments across Asia.

The Asia Koshien tournament is more than just a sporting event; it's a platform for cultural exchange and mutual understanding. It seeks to elevate the excitement and emotion tied to high school baseball, similar to Japan's Koshien tournament, and aims to contribute to the expansion of the baseball fanbase across Asia. With the goal of fostering friendly competition among 14 teams from three countries through a tournament format, the event promises to be both thrilling and impactful.

Participating players aged 14 to 18 will engage in 36 matches throughout the tournament, which will include the possibility of a consolation bracket. The playing conditions are designed to be inclusive, allowing for participation regardless of gender or nationality, thereby uniting diverse communities under the love of baseball.

The Asia Koshien is poised to enhance not only the baseball landscape in the region but also to cultivate relationships between countries and expand the popularity of the sport. The partnership with Mitsubishi Estate is set to inject added value into the event, making it a significant occasion for aspiring athletes and their communities.

As the date approaches, excitement continues to build around the potential of the Asia Koshien to serve as a beacon for sporting culture and values across Asia, nurturing the next generation and contributing to local development efforts.

For more details about the tournament, visit the official website here.