#Japan #Hiroshima #High School Sports #Pocari Sweat #In-Hai Project

The Exciting Opening of the China General Sports Meet 2025

On July 23, the 2025 China General Sports Meet, known as the 'Opening of Future Doors 2025', officially commenced, marking the beginning of an exhilarating journey for high school athletes participating in Japan’s largest sports festival. This event is being held across multiple prefectures including Hiroshima, Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Hokkaido, Fukushima, and Wakayama from July 23 to August 20, featuring a total of 30 sports and 34 events.

The In-Hai Cheer Project

As the official sponsor of this prestigious event, Otsuka Pharmaceutical has introduced the 'In-Hai Cheer Project', aiming to deliver motivation and support to high school athletes, their supporters, and all participating students. On the day of the competition, athletes will receive handwritten encouragement messages from local community members and fellow student supporters via 'Cheer Cups', which are specially designed paper cups filled with Pocari Sweat. This initiative goes beyond just hydration; it symbolizes the communal spirit of encouragement that embodies high school sports.

The opening ceremony on July 24 gathered various stakeholders, including high school students involved in planning and organizing the event, culminating in the tangible cheer delivery on the first day of track and field on July 25. The Cheer Cups act as personal tokens conveying warmth and support from the local community, enhancing the excitement of the In-Hai experience.

Collaboration and Workshops

In preparation for this event, Otsuka Pharmaceutical collaborated with local high school committees to ensure the smooth execution of the project. A notable initiative was the 'Cheer Conference', a workshop designed for students to brainstorm how to effectively communicate encouragement to the athletes. Students collected messages for the Cheer Cups from their peers and local community members, showcasing a collective effort pushing towards a successful In-Hai.

This year’s activities aim to resonate particularly with the passion and energy that young athletes embody—a belief intrinsic to Pocari Sweat, which has supported the In-Hai for 12 consecutive years since 2014. The overarching goal is not only to hydrate but also to empower the next generation of athletes as they pursue their dreams.

Special Support and Digital Initiatives

In addition to the physical encouragement offered on-site, the event also features the launch of special digital initiatives, particularly targeting student supporters. As part of the In-Hai Cheer Project, digital NFTs (non-fungible tokens) will be issued to these supporters, providing a certificate of participation in their activities. Notably, this year, the project collaborates with the popular TV anime 'Aō no Hako', distributing exclusive illustrations and voice messages from one of the characters, enriching the experience for participants.

Furthermore, promotional materials, including motivational videos and posters, have been produced to inspire athletes during critical competition moments. The motto, 'Your Body Knows', is reinforced through this creative content, reminding athletes of their strength and resilience derived from their hard work.

Conclusion

Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s engagement with the In-Hai through the Cheer Project exemplifies their commitment to nurturing young athletes. The competition is set to be a vibrant celebration of sportsmanship and determination, showcasing the hard work of high school students who have persevered through countless practices and challenges. The China General Sports Meet 2025 stands not only as a sporting event but as a grand acknowledgment of youth aspiration and community strength.