FC Tokyo (Tokyo Football Club, Inc.) has signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement and sponsorship contract with Keio Electric Railway Co., Ltd. on May 9 (Tue).
On Jul 1 (Sat), a press conference regarding the policy of comprehensive collaboration agreement was held during the home game at Ajinomoto Stadium. We announced more specific details about the initiatives that both companies will collaborate on, specifically for the press members.
Tomofumi Miyazaki, President and Representative Director of Keio Corporation, President and Executive Officer's Comment
"Ajinomoto Stadium, the franchise of FC Tokyo, is located right in the middle of the Keio Line. It is a very important venue that gathers many people from along the line, centered around sports events. From our perspective, it has become a significant theme for us to create demand for movement as people seek enjoyment within their living areas, especially as lifestyles have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many commuting daily from the suburbs to Shinjuku and Shibuya. Among these, sports are a very powerful content, and I believe it is meaningful to have a base in the middle of the Keio Line where local residents can come together and actively engage within their living areas. FC Tokyo has traditionally been seen as a partner to energize the community, and by formalizing our agreement, we aim to share the same vision even more strongly, working together in the long term to utilize each other's resources to contribute to the vitality of the community. As the first initiative, FC Tokyo will hold a match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. at Ajinomoto Stadium on August 12 (Sat), and we will celebrate that day as 'Keio Electric Railway Day.' We hope to invite local residents along the line and recruit children from the Keio Line area for the Hand with Hand event (where children enter the stadium holding hands with players), so that everyone can feel closer to sports."
Comment from Naoki Daikin, Chairman of Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd.
"Ajinomoto Stadium was built in 2001, and we have been active as our home stadium since then. After that, we started community contribution activities, thinking about how to gain fans and supporters and how to energize the community. The biggest turning point in that process was when we had FC Tokyo posters displayed at Chofu Station. At that time, there was little recognition and not many supporters, and having the posters displayed in the station was the start of our collaboration with Keio Corporation. After that, we had flyers placed in the station racks, large posters put up on the station platform, and advertisements hung inside the trains, all in support of FC Tokyo. We have distributed flyers at each station on the Keio Line, and the station masters at each station kindly agreed to allow us to distribute flyers inside the stations, which greatly helped us penetrate the community. Urban development is centered around the stations. Currently, our fans and supporters are predominantly along the Keio Line. I believe this is a result of what we have built together over the years. The signing of this comprehensive partnership agreement is not so much a new start, but rather a deepening of the relationship we have built so far, and I believe it will lead to a closer collaboration in thinking together about what we can do for the community. In particular, we want to implement initiatives aimed at children, to inspire them with dreams and hopes for the future."
Comment from Shinya Kawagishi, President and Representative Director of Tokyo Football Club Co., Ltd.
"There are various sports events along the Keio Line, and I believe that through the conclusion of this agreement, FC Tokyo has been recognized as an important entity for Keio Electric Railway. I hope to help enhance the appeal of the Keio Line, especially by strengthening initiatives aimed at children and families along the line, increasing opportunities for them to engage with sports. We are preparing specific measures, such as collaborating on walking events and soccer classes. I have heard that Keio Electric Railway has an initiative called 'Keio Kids Work Team,' and I believe there are various possibilities for future initiatives, such as creating opportunities for children to experience the work of FC Tokyo. On August 12 (Sat), we will hold 'Keio Electric Railway Day,' focusing particularly on initiatives for children, preparing mechanisms to provide a good experience for many children and make them happy. While adjustments are needed, it is essential to raise awareness that there is sports, soccer, and FC Tokyo along the Keio Line to encourage people to visit Ajinomoto Stadium. Therefore, I would like to seek the support of Keio Electric Railway to promote the blue and red culture in the surrounding areas. Inbound tourism from overseas has also been increasing. I hope to work together with the Keio Group on initiatives to encourage those visitors to come to Ajinomoto Stadium."
Purpose
This agreement aims to strengthen the collaboration between FC Tokyo and Keio Electric Railway Co., Ltd., promote the revitalization of the surrounding area through sports, contribute to the healthy development and upbringing of children, and promote a rich and attractive "town development".
Support for measures targeting children
To support the healthy development and growth of children, players and children will hold hands and enter together during home games, in line with the concept of Hand in Hand. We are grateful for the endorsement and sponsorship of Keio Electric Railway Co., Ltd., and their logo will be displayed on the children's attire upon entry.
Collaboration Items
(1) Matters related to the promotion and revitalization of the surrounding area.
(2) To promote the healthy development of children, especially through sports.
(3) Matters related to promoting stadium visits.
(4) Matters related to attracting fans from both sides.
(5) Matters related to promoting attractive town development.
