#Japan #Kamaishi #Unosumai Stadium #Team Unosutairoi

Establishment of 'Team Unosutairoi' Consortium

In a remarkable step towards fostering sustainable community development, Kamaishi City, alongside Kamaishi DMC and Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate, has established a community consortium named 'Team Unosutairoi'. This initiative aims to secure sustainable operational methods for the Kamaishi Unosumai Reconstruction Stadium and tackle pressing local challenges. The consortium will officially begin its activities on June 30, 2025.

Background of the Establishment

The Kamaishi Unosumai Reconstruction Stadium, completed in July 2018, was instrumental in hosting matches for the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. After successfully fulfilling its role in the tournament, initial plans considered transitioning to privately managed operations after the conclusion of the rugby events. However, the global pandemic disrupted sports activities and led to an unstable local economy, prompting an extension of municipal management.

In light of the population decline and the aging demographic in Kamaishi, the city has crafted the Second Phase of its Population Vision and Open City Strategy since April 2020. This strategic plan focuses on creating lasting partnerships with urban companies and universities that visit Kamaishi, aiming to foster a strong bond with the community and implement solutions for local challenges.

Objectives of the Consortium

The 'Team Unosutairoi' consortium seeks to ensure that the stadium continues to represent hope and opportunity for the community. By leveraging the expertise of its members, the consortium will collaborate on regional challenges, innovative solutions, and the inception of new business ventures, all while contributing to Kamaishi’s revitalization.

Future endeavors include exploring new utilization methods for the stadium and developing attractive content to attract diverse visitors. The consortium will aim to establish a model of public-private partnership to manage the stadium effectively while focusing on maximizing local resources through collaborative projects.

Consortium Details

As of July 1, 2025, the consortium comprises various membership tiers:

• - Owner Members: Kamaishi City, Kamaishi DMC, Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate
• - Partner Members: Kamaishi Sea Waves RFC, Japan Management Association Management Center, East Japan Railway Company, ENEOS Renewable Energy, NTT East Japan Iwate Branch, UBS Securities.

Guiding Principles

The consortium is driven by several fundamental principles:
1. Explore new management strategies to establish sustainable stadium operations.
2. Collaborate in resolving local challenges and fostering new business opportunities by tapping into member expertise.
3. Develop scalable models based on initiatives addressing community issues.

Activities for Achieving Objectives

To meet its guiding principles, 'Team Unosutairoi' will engage in the following activities:
1. Development and monetization of visitor attractions leveraging the stadium.
2. Ongoing discussions regarding innovative utilization strategies for the stadium and attracting new customers.
3. Collaborative projects that utilize local resources surrounding the stadium.
4. Strengthening connections between Kamaishi City, inland Iwate Prefecture, and the metropolitan area to boost engagement in the community.
5. Facilitating communication and collaboration among members.
6. Additional activities as deemed necessary to achieve the consortium’s primary goals.

In summary, the establishment of 'Team Unosutairoi' marks a significant commitment to both the sustainable management of the Kamaishi Unosumai Reconstruction Stadium and the resolution of local community issues. Through collaboration and innovation, this consortium aims to create a thriving environment that benefits the entire Kamaishi area and beyond.