#Japan #Kumamoto #NOK #Kumamoto Volters #Forest Leaves

NOK Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo's Minato Ward and led by CEO Masao Tsurusawa, is dedicated to fostering a collaborative relationship with local communities in Japan and abroad. As part of its ongoing initiatives, the NOK Kumamoto branch, located in Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture, is especially focused on sports support aimed at environmental conservation, youth development, and community engagement. For the upcoming 2025-26 season, NOK has announced the renewal of its official partnership with two local professional sports teams: Kumamoto Basketball Co., known as the Kumamoto Volters, and Forest Leaves Kumamoto Co.

This partnership underlines NOK’s commitment to collectively envisioning a sustainable and promising future alongside the community. The Kumamoto Volters, led by President Satoshi Yunonoue, and Forest Leaves Kumamoto, headed by leader Suzuka Kawauchi, serve as key players in this initiative.

This year, NOK is excited to participate for the first time in the "Water Festival" organized by the Kumamoto Volters, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of groundwater conservation. This initiative is vital in a region where approximately 80% of the drinking water source for Kumamoto Prefecture and 100% for Kumamoto City comes from groundwater. NOK’s production facility in Kumamoto also utilizes groundwater to manufacture its sealing products, highlighting the direct connection between the environment and NOK's operational practices.

The "Water Festival" will take place during the Kumamoto Volters' NOK-sponsored game on March 14 and 15, 2026. A portion of the event's proceeds will be donated to the Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation, reinforcing efforts to promote groundwater conservation activities.

In addition to environmental conservation, NOK is actively involved in fostering community ties through various projects. These initiatives include:

Youth Development Activities

• - Kids Support Project: NOK invites 100 children from nine municipalities, including Aso City and Kikuchi County, to experience the excitement of two games as part of this project, while also educating them on groundwater conservation.
• - Dream Caravan Basketball Clinic: On September 21, 2023, a basketball clinic conducted by Kumamoto Volters players will be held at the NOK Kumamoto branch gymnasium. This initiative, ongoing since 2019, has previously seen participation from around 400 students, and around 150 are expected this year.
• - Volleyball Clinic: A volleyball clinic led by all players from Forest Leaves Kumamoto will take place on October 5, 2023, at the same location, continuing from last year's successful event that attracted about 70 participants.
• - Support for Kumamoto Volters U15 Aso Youth Team: NOK provides the gymnasium as a training base for the U15 team, which practices 3-5 times a week and holds its matches at the NOK facility.

Environmental Conservation Activities

• - Participation in the Water Festival: NOK aims to raise awareness about the necessity of groundwater conservation through its first engagement with the Water Festival this year.
• - Support for Rice Field Owner Program: Partnering with the Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation, NOK has been supporting this program since 2019, where producers with rice fields work together with sponsors to cultivate rice while protecting groundwater.

Community Engagement and Revitalization

• - Support for VOLTERS KITCHEN: This community kitchen project initiated by the Kumamoto Volters in 2022 aims to address social issues. The project brought together around 340 participants in 2022 and over 880 in 2023, deepening community connections through shared meals and sports events.

In summary, the extension of NOK's partnerships with Kumamoto Volters and Forest Leaves Kumamoto is more than an investment in sports; it’s a commitment to the local community’s future, environmental sustainability, and fostering the next generation of leaders.

NOK Kumamoto Facilities Overview

• - Location: 2089 Nagakura, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture
• - Established: 1970
• - Number of Domestic Production Bases: 7 (3 in Kumamoto, 1 in Oita, 2 in Saga, 1 in Miyazaki)
• - Employees: Approximately 2,300
• - Products: O-rings, gaskets, and seals among other sealing solutions.

If you would like more information regarding this release, please get in touch with:
NOK Corporation CEO Office Corporate Affairs
TEL: 03-5405-6372
Email: [email protected]

About NOK Corporation
The NOK Group is committed to "Essential Core Manufacturing"—producing essential goods for a sustainable society. With around 38,000 employees across 15 countries, NOK continues to innovate and provide technology and products across various industries, including automotive, electronics, healthcare, and more.