Illuminating the Night Sky: ELC Japan’s Pink Ribbon Campaign Launch

On October 1, 2025, an inspiring event took place in Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, as ELC Japan held a special drone show honoring three decades of breast cancer awareness and research support under the banner "A World Without Breast Cancer." This initiative is part of the Pink Ribbon Campaign, which ELC Japan started in 1992, and has since made October Breast Cancer Awareness Month with various outreach efforts across the nation. The launch was not just a celebration but also a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle against breast cancer.

At the evening's inception, James Aquilina, the CEO of ELC Japan, took the stage to share his heartfelt gratitude with attendees, stating, "Tonight marks a special moment as we celebrate ELC's 33-year journey towards a world free of breast cancer. Thank you all for being here." His words set a hopeful tone for the night, emphasizing community involvement in the fight against this disease.

Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike joined the ceremony wearing a pink ribbon badge, a powerful symbol of the campaign. Aquilina explained the significance of the badge’s blue and pink stones, representing that breast cancer can affect anyone, regardless of gender. This meaningful addition aimed to increase awareness about breast cancer and promote the need for early detection and screening.

The event then transitioned into a discussion session focused on breast cancer. Governor Koike discussed the current breast cancer screening rates in Tokyo, highlighting that approximately 50% of women are tested, which is an increase of around 20% over the past decade. She expressed her determination to raise this figure to over 60%, stressing the importance of early detection and treatment. "More than 90% of people can be cured through early detection and treatment of breast cancer," she asserted, urging attendees to take action and get screened.

Aquilina reinforced the global efforts of ELC's initiatives, noting that since the campaign's inception in 1992, it has aimed to create a world free of breast cancer by uniting and inspiring people worldwide. He highlighted the contributions of Evelyn H. Lauder, a co-founder of the pink ribbon and the campaign, who persistently worked to break the silence around breast cancer and promoted education and research.

Governor Koike shared details about Tokyo's commitment to increasing screening rates via the "TOKYO#Girls Health Club" website, which presents easy-to-understand information about breast cancer through manga. Additionally, she mentioned how, in alignment with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government lights up its building in pink, along with various events aimed at fostering awareness and encouraging screenings.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Aquilina quoted Evelyn H. Lauder, saying, "We cannot achieve this alone; we need the strength of many. Now is the time to create a world free of breast cancer." This resonated deeply with the audience, echoing the campaign's core message for 33 years. Governor Koike concluded with a powerful statement about the importance of early detection, urging each individual to see breast cancer as a personal issue and work together towards a world without it.

As the evening culminated, Koike and Aquilina counted down together, launching a spectacular display of 360 drones that illuminated the night with the pink ribbon symbol. The enchanting 15-minute drone show filled the Tokyo sky with a gleaming message of hope, encapsulating the desire for a world without breast cancer.

Event Details

- Date: October 1, 2025
- Time: 18:30 - 19:00
- Venue: Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
- Speakers: James Aquilina, Yuriko Koike

The evening was not only a celebration of accomplishments but also a call to action, highlighting the collective effort needed to combat breast cancer and reinforce the importance of community in this ongoing journey.