#Japan #Another Works #Takashi Toritani #Nara Prefecture #Miyake Town, Nara Prefecture

Inspiring the Community: Takashi Toritani's Event in Nara

In 2025, Nara Prefecture's Miyake Town hosted a remarkable event featuring Takashi Toritani, a former professional baseball player, as he delivered an engaging lecture titled "Thinking About Sports and a Happy Life." This event was part of a collaborative initiative between Miyake Town and Another Works, a company that operates a matching platform for side jobs, aiming at regional revitalization and promoting well-being.

Background of the Local Event

Japan is facing multifaceted challenges, with over 29% of the population aged 65 and older. There are significant concerns regarding population decline, an aging workforce, and expanding health disparities, particularly in rural areas. Addressing how to support the health and well-being of all generations within the constraints of limited government resources is a crucial issue for the future of these communities.

In recent years, the reduction of club activities in schools, the decreased opportunities for physical exercise, and the weakening connections within local communities have made it increasingly important to foster environments in which individuals can live healthily and authentically. Sports have garnered attention as a viable approach to address these social issues, not only promoting physical health but also fostering intergenerational interactions, a sense of community, and boosts to self-esteem.

Consequently, based on a public-private partnership agreement established in 2020, Miyake Town in collaboration with Another Works organized this lecture event centered on sports and well-being. The aim was to raise awareness about health and encourage residents to reflect on their own definition of a "happy life" by featuring Takashi Toritani, who has inspired many through his successful career in professional baseball.

Event Highlights

The event saw an unexpected turnout of approximately 300 attendees who came across different generations to listen to Takashi Toritani’s lecture. During his talk, he shared his unique insights and experiences, emphasizing concepts like "The accumulation of daily efforts shapes our lives" and "Facing oneself in tough times is essential." The audience nodded along, truly captivated by his messages.

A Q&A session followed, where questions about baseball and healthy habits were abundant. Attendees expressed their realizations and feelings of inspiration gained from the lecture, showing the deep impact of Toritani's words. Some comments included:

• - "I learned the importance of persistence from Mr. Toritani's story. I want to change my mindset starting today." (Male, 30s)
• - "This was a rare opportunity for my children to hear genuine advice. It may spark an interest in sports for our family." (Female, 40s)
• - "The phrase 'Lifelong Challenge' resonated deeply with me. I, too, want to choose my own life path." (Female, 20s)

Speaker Profile

Takashi Toritani

Born on June 26, 1981, in Tokyo, Takashi Toritani is a prominent figure in Japan's professional baseball scene. He made a name for himself at Seibu Gakuin High School by reaching Koshien during his third year. He then proceeded to Waseda University, where he was crowned the triple crown king in his second year. In 2003, he was drafted into the Hanshin Tigers before transferring to the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2020 and retiring in 2021. Notably, he achieved a remarkable 1,939 consecutive games played, ranking fifth in all-time consecutive full game appearances. Currently, he thrives as a baseball commentator and expert, making appearances on television and variety shows.

Company Background

Another Works, Inc.

Founded by Naokazu Obayashi after graduating from Waseda University, Another Works is a leading IT venture focused on shaping the future of work through side jobs. Their primary service, "Fukugyo Cloud," connects individuals seeking side jobs with companies and municipalities, aiming to normalize multifaceted career paths for personal development and income.

Their vision is to maximize opportunities for everyone willing to take on challenges. They strive to create a culture and infrastructure that allows individuals to embark on 'multi-jobbing' without significantly changing their environment, thus enabling new challenges and enrichening lives.

Company Information:

• - Name: Another Works, Inc.
• - CEO: Naokazu Obayashi
• - Headquarters: 5-13-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0001
• - Website: anotherworks.co.jp