SUN BLOCKERS 2025: Empowering Athletes to Fight Against UV Rays

As the sun's rays grow stronger each April, Japanese skincare brand Sekkisei has launched a compelling campaign featuring baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Under the slogan “Are You Ready?”, Sekkisei aims to emphasize the critical importance of sunscreen for athletes engaged in outdoor sports.

In 2023, they established the SUN BLOCKERS initiative, focusing on promoting sunscreen awareness among all athletes while providing vital tools for skin protection. For the third year in a row, this initiative has delivered approximately 1,000 messages of encouragement and sunscreen products from Ohtani to various outdoor sports teams, including Rikkyo University's women's lacrosse team.

Engaging Local High School Athletes

This year marked the introduction of a special segment branded “Roadshow SUN BLOCKERS”, where Sekkisei visited Hanamaki Higashi High School, Ohtani’s alma mater, to distribute sunscreen to outdoor sports participants. This event not only served to inform the students about the importance of sun protection but also to bolster their spirits through direct interaction with Ohtani’s motivational messages.

Athletes from multiple sports teams, including women’s baseball, track and field, rugby, soccer, and soft tennis, expressed their gratitude. Many highlighted how they regularly use sunscreen to protect their skin while training outdoors, appreciating the user-friendly properties of Sekkisei’s sunscreen.

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Q1: What are your thoughts after receiving the sunscreen?
A: We use a lot of sunscreen in our outdoor activities, so this is incredibly helpful! I appreciate that it doesn’t leave a white cast, making it easy to use. I’ll spread the word to my teammates!
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The Impact of UV Rays on Performance

Sekkisei aims to instill an understanding of the necessity of sunscreen among athletes while evaluating its influence on performance. Numerous surveys conducted with 483 participants actively engaging in outdoor sports indicated that 98.1% recognized sunscreen as an essential item for enjoying sports. Athletes reported feeling less fatigued and more focused during practices due to their sun protection efforts.

The initiative is not just limited to high school athletes. It extends into broader arenas, targeting college sports events. By providing sunscreen at venues during university baseball championships, Sekkisei reaches out to attendees, stressing the importance of UV protection while enjoying outdoor activities.

Scientific Insights into UV Effects

Experts reveal that UV radiation can lead to skin damage and increased fatigue levels during outdoor activities. YuichiroGoto, a researcher at Kose Corporation, highlighted the correlation between UV exposure and fatigue among athletes, signifying that appropriate sun protection is vital for maintaining peak performance levels.

Sekkisei's sunscreen products boast impressive SPF ratings, ensuring top-tier defense against harmful rays. This allows athletes to maintain their focus and performance under the sun, further enhancing their training outcomes.

A Call to Action: Embracing Sunscreen Use

The campaign emphasizes the integration of sunscreen use into athletes' routines. Inquiries revealing overall interest in using sunscreen revealed that 92.7% of respondents felt an increased desire to utilize sunscreen, with 99.1% willing to recommend its use to peers. Such statistics affirm the campaign's effectiveness in spreading awareness and engendering community support around the cause.

Every year, the SUN BLOCKERS initiative continues to grow, fostering a culture of sun safety among athletes across Japan. With endorsements from influential figures like Ohtani, the momentum for incorporating sunscreen into daily practices escalates.

Learn more about the SUN BLOCKERS initiative and shop Sekkisei products by visiting their dedicated website: Sekkisei SUN BLOCKERS.

As Ohtani aptly stated, “Let’s all enjoy sports under the sun with the right protection!” Are you ready to step up your sun protection game?