Inspiring Young Athletes: Professional Soccer Player’s Insights at Higashiyama High School

Higashiyama High School, located in Kyoto, recently hosted a special seminar featuring renowned professional soccer player Ken Tokura. The event aimed to provide deeper support for student athletes enrolled in the school's elite athlete program, emphasizing not only physical development but also mental resilience. This initiative is part of a broader effort by VITAS, which has been assisting the school's boys' basketball team since November 2025 by supplying products and nutritional guidance.

Understanding the Real Challenges High School Athletes Face

To tailor the seminar to the students' needs, a preliminary survey was conducted to capture the athletes' day-to-day struggles. The survey revealed that mental health issues topped the concerns for 70.1% of students, followed by injuries and physical development (59.8%) and play and technical skills (58.1%). Notably, the challenges differed based on grade level, showcasing the evolving mental landscape of young athletes as they progress through high school.

Insights by Grade Level

Freshmen (1st year): For the first-year students, both play and technical skills and injuries were equal in their prominence, rising to 61.5%. This period marks a foundational time where students adjust to the rigors of high school sports.

Sophomores (2nd year): The second year saw a significant increase in mental health concerns, with 70.0%. This highlights the pressures that come with evolving team roles and individual expectations.

Juniors (3rd year): As expected, seniors faced the heaviest burdens with mental health issues soaring to 84.2% and career pathways concerns reaching 65.8%. This indicates a heightened awareness of life post-graduation among these students. Common challenges included dealing with failure and anxiety, making it essential for Tokura to share his hard-earned wisdom from over 22 years in professional sports.

Seminar Highlights and Ken Tokura’s Powerful Messages

The seminar was structured to address the varying needs of different grades. For freshmen, the focus was on laying the groundwork for future years, while sophomores and juniors turned their attention to career decisions and resilience.

Ken Tokura's presentation covered three crucial themes:

1. Challenge: Tokura shared his experience during three and a half years without a goal in his professional career, reframing failure as merely data for growth. He emphasized that analyzing failure distantly rather than emotionally can pave the way for success.

2. Autonomy: He highlighted the importance of self-leadership, urging students to think critically about their training rather than passively following orders from coaches. Especially for those nearing graduation, he stressed the significance of making their own decisions, reinforcing that true character is revealed in how one acts under pressure.

3. Consistency: Tokura shared his personal methods for maintaining peak performance even after significant injuries. He introduced his 30-second rule, a strategy allowing athletes to express emotions briefly before switching focus back to performance. His formula for exceptional success was clear: Ordinary x Attention to Detail x Continuity = Extraordinary.

The Future Ahead

Following this successful event, Three Peace, the organizing company, plans to extend its initiatives to schools and athletic organizations across Japan. They aim to provide internships and career support in collaboration with universities, thereby creating a sustainable ecosystem that allows the next generation of athletes to thrive in society.

VITAS and the MOAI PROJECT

The MOAI PROJECT, driven by VITAS, embodies the vision of guiding children towards a brighter future through community-driven sports programs and the establishment of children's dining halls across Japan. This initiative emphasizes the importance of real, hands-on interaction over virtual communication, aiming to instill values and skills that athletes carry throughout their lives.

In conclusion, through events like Tokura's seminar, VITAS not only enhances athletic performance but also champions mental wellness and societal involvement, shaping well-rounded individuals who are prepared to excel both on and off the field.