#Japan #Noto #LOVE FOR NIPPON #FC11

The Birth of FC11: A New Sport from Noto, Evolving from Reconstruction to Sustainable Support

On November 1st and 2nd, 2025, the general incorporated association LOVE FOR NIPPON, led by CANDLE JUNE, will host "LOVE FOR NOTO Song of the Earth 2025" at Uchura Comprehensive Sports Park in Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. This event marks the debut of a new sport, FC11, which emerged from the revitalization efforts of the local community after the traumatic tsunami disaster. Under the theme of "From Sadness to Joy," the initiative aims to share its journey of evolution from support activities to recovery actions nationwide.

A New Initiative: LOVE FOR NOTO Song of the Earth 2025

Founded in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, LOVE FOR NIPPON has been dedicated to connecting supporters with those affected by disasters. Their mission, "Doing Everything Possible," promotes activities designed to bring smiles to disaster-stricken communities.

In January 2024, following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, LOVE FOR NIPPON quickly mobilized to provide essential supplies, food distributions, and clean-up efforts. On the 1st of every month, they continue to foster community bonds by organizing live music and candlelight events in temporary housing units to engage local residents.

To keep the memories alive and combat the fading awareness of Noto's current situation, a pre-event was held at Yoyogi Park at the end of June, promoting "LOVE FOR NOTO Song of the Earth 2025". The main event in November will feature live performances from artists who care for Noto, discussions with support organizations, a local product marketplace, and workshops. Furthermore, a candlelight event will be held at dusk to symbolize hope, igniting candles inscribed with participants' thoughts for Noto.

Event Details

• - Date: November 1, 2025 (Saturday), from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
• - Location: Uchura Comprehensive Sports Park, 20-4 Nabuura Take, Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• - Admission: Free (Held rain or shine; canceled in severe weather).
• - Organizer: LOVE FOR NIPPON.
• - Supported by: SpaceBall LLC.
• - Co-hosted by: Noto Town.
• - Sponsors: Various companies including T.T.C Co., Keen Japan, Chrome Industries Japan, Jackery Japan, and Hide-chan Ramen.

Official Website

The venue, Uchura Comprehensive Sports Park, was heavily affected by the tsunami, littered with debris. With support from various organizations, local residents participated in clean-up and restoration efforts. The initiative nurtures connections among community members while preparing the site for the upcoming event. The goal is for this activity to serve as a catalyst for sustainable practices in revitalizing the area, enabling local residents to continuously contribute to the park's renewal.

The Birth of FC11

A highlight of the event is the inaugural FC11 tournament, a new sport that has been developed as an innovative solution for areas facing population decline. The game features a unique format where "everyone is an opponent," allowing individual participation through a self-contained format. The competition lasts 11 minutes with teams aiming to score 11 points, accommodating 3-4 players on a futsal-sized court. This design ensures that FC11 can be sustained even in regions experiencing declining birth rates.

Next year, regional qualifiers will be launched, leading to the national tournament in Noto. The objective is to establish Noto as a hub for this emerging sport, attracting a new influx of population to the area.

Vibrant Connectivity through Culture, Music, and Food

On Day 1 (November 1), LOVE FOR NIPPON will set up markets featuring local Noto delicacies and specialties, a space for support organizations to share updates, and various workshops facilitated by local community groups. With assistance from the Noto Town Commerce and Industry Association, a Noto product fair will create opportunities for attendees to engage with the local community through food and products.

In conjunction with the FC11 tournament, the event will feature street basketball FC21, where all players are competitors, and live performances from artists aligning with the vision of LOVE FOR NIPPON. As dusk falls, participants will light candles adorned with their hopes and wishes for Noto, uniting their thoughts into a collective glow.

Additionally, guests will enjoy kite-flying with the Sanjo Kite Association, and pickleball sessions suitable for all ages and skill levels, creating an inclusive atmosphere for multiple generations.

Artists Who Care for Noto

Featured artists include singer-songwriter Asuka Aotani, who captures Noto’s landscapes through her music, along with Afro, who is making strides in solo endeavors and as part of the unit Ten Ten Takada. Attendees will also experience performances by Eminata, a soulful pop artist with a unique multilingual approach, as well as Manaora & Ao Akua, who fuse Tahitian dance with hula. Tomotake Yamaoka, a singer-songwriter from Nihonmatsu, Fukushima, is also set to perform.

Day 2 SOTE SYMPOSIUM: Building Lasting Relationships

On Day 2 (November 2), the SOTE Symposium (Song of the Earth Symposium) will be held, where LOVE FOR NIPPON brings together corporations, students, and volunteers to discuss recovery and new community-building strategies moving forward.

Strong Support with Proven Commitment

The event secured support from Noto Town and anticipates participation from various local organizations and previous disaster-affected areas. Notably, Naeba Shokudo, part of the Fuji Rock Festival, will also join.

Multiple organizations, including OPEN JAPAN, Disaster NGO Ketsu, Reuse Aid Tech, and HERO's Labo, among others, are collaborating on this event to forge pathways for rebuilding communities.

J-WAVE's disaster relief project HEART TO HEART, with CANDLE JUNE serving as the navigator starting in 2024, will continually relay updates regarding support efforts centered around Fukushima and Noto. They will also document the event to showcase its impact.

Noto's Challenge as a Model for Community Revitalization

Natural disasters can strike anywhere in Japan, and support organizations are actively working to provide assistance across regions. What does it mean to support disaster-stricken areas? It's crucial to strike a balance that neither overextends nor underdelivers. The hope is to inspire those who have yet to experience a disaster to understand the real struggles faced by others and to question longstanding customs and systems. Noto endeavors to establish a new model for regional community structure, proactively addressing future societal issues across Japan.

In June 2026, LOVE FOR NOTO Song of the Earth 2026 will take place in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, to further engage and enlighten attendees about the realities of post-disaster Noto life, inviting them to share these stories far and wide.

About LOVE FOR NIPPON

Founded on March 14, 2011, in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake, LOVE FOR NIPPON has been committed to supporting affected communities by organizing various events monthly across regions, culminating in an annual recovery support event titled SONG OF THE EARTH 311 FUKUSHIMA held every March 11. Additionally, programs like '311 Learning' are conducted in schools to share the disaster's history with younger generations.

Since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, the organization has deployed efforts from the day after the disaster to continue providing support like food distributions and goods supplies. Even now, 1.5 years later, candlelight events still occur on the first day of each month throughout the area, fostering a continued spirit of support and resilience. The upcoming "LOVE FOR NOTO Song of the Earth" event in November will commemorate these efforts, ensuring that hope persists in the face of adversity.