July 4, 2024

Nagase & Co., Ltd.
100 Days to Go! The 3rd NAGASE Cup, an Inclusive Athletics Competition—Athletics Influencer Takaya Mitsuka Chosen As Official Ambassador
There are 100 days left until Saturday, October 12, when the 3rd WPA
Approved NAGASE Cup Athletics Competition, an inclusive athletics
competition sponsored by Nagase & Co., Ltd. (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo;
Representative Director, President and CEO: Hiroyuki Ueshima), will
begin. Athletics influencer Takaya Mitsuka has been selected to be theofficial ambassador for this year’s competition. The 3rd NAGASE Cup isbeing held with the concept of “further expanding the circle of inclusivity,”
and Mr. Mitsuka has been selected to promote this competition as its
official ambassador due to how he has connected many different people through running, expanding thecircle of smiles and positivity.
As a running coach and influencer working to increase the popularityof running, Mr. Mitsuka was a supporter for the 2nd NAGASE Cup, joining
the special event held before the competition, Summer Night ☆ Run at

the Imperial Palace with Akemi Masuda, as a guest, and communicatingwith athletes and spectators at the competition, helping to promote theNAGASE Cup. In order to have even more athletes and spectators join

the 3rd NAGASE Cup and further expand the circle of inclusivity, Mr.
Mitsuka will help make the NAGASE Cup a more exciting event as its
official ambassador, posting on the official NAGASE Cup Instagram account and at the competition itself.
The schedule for his activities as official ambassador will be posted later on the NAGASE Cup website
and Instagram account. Entries will begin being accepted in mid-July for the 3rd NAGASE Cup, anathletics competition where athletes can race regardless of differences such as age, nationality, orwhether or not they have disabilities.
Mr. Mitsuka’s Comment on Becoming the Official Ambassador
I am glad to be able to work together again this year, continuing on from last year. The NAGASE Cup
is an inclusive competition that anyone can participate in regardless of age, sex, competitiveness, orwhether or not they have a disability. I think it is truly wonderful for everyone to be able to move theirbodies and compete with each other. In order for even more people to have fun, I plan on making excitingsocial media posts, and cheering on everyone at the competition itself. Let’s have fun together again thisyear! Everyone, come to the NAGASE Cup to compete or cheer people on!!

What Does Mr. Mitsuka Think of the NAGASE Cup?
I have never seen a competition like this before, where both para athletes and those without
disabilities can run together. Regarding para athletics, I had the opportunity to try a prosthetic leg
before, but it was very difficult and I could not run with it. The NAGASE Cup gave me a new
appreciation for how incredible para athletes are, and I would like to spread the word to the world about
them. I hope to encounter many athletes and spectators at the competition venue, and show people theappeal of the NAGASE Cup.
Profile of Takaya Mitsuka
He began athletics in high school, and while studying running at the University of Tsukuba and later its Graduate
School, competed in the 800m and 1500m at the Japan Intercollegiate Championships. While working after
graduation, he also competed at the 800m at the Japan Championships. Currently, as a running coach and influencer,
he works to popularize running through media appearances and events. He is engaged in a variety of activities,including working as a part-time lecturer, a model, and an influencer. He was the PR leader for the Kobe 2024 Para
Athletics World Championships.

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takaya_mitsuka/
About the NAGASE Cup“An Inclusive Athletics Competition Anyone Can Join”
The NAGASE Cup is held by Japan Para Athletics and the Tokyo Athletics Association, andsponsored by Nagase & Co., Ltd. Based on the concept of being “an inclusive competition anyone canjoin,” it consists of a Japan Association of Athletics Federations approved category and a Japan Para
Athletics approved category, and is the largest athletics competition of its kind in Japan*, in whichathletes can race regardless of differences such as age, nationality, or whether or not they havedisabilities.
This will be the third NAGASE Cup, and as it was last year it will once again be held at the Japan
National Stadium, where athletes will be supported in making their next challenge while spectators,
officials, volunteers, and local residents will encounter new experiences and values, with the goal ofrecognizing diversity and spreading the circle of inclusivity to society as a whole.
*The largest number of para athlete competitors in a competition where athletes can compete regardless of whether or not they
have a disability (according to in-house research)

■Competition Overview
Name: 3rd WPA Approved NAGASE Cup Athletics Competition
Will be held as a World Rankings Competition
Dates: Saturday, October 12 and Sunday, October 13, 2024
Venue: Japan National Stadium(10-1 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo)■Official MediaWebsite: https://www.nagase.co.jp/nagasecup/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nagasecup_since2022/■Inquiries
Nagase & Co., Ltd.

URL: https://www.nagase.co.jp/

PR Section, Corporate Relations Div., Corporate Management Dept.

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