UNIQLO and the Japan Sumo Association team up to visit Ishikawa Prefecture, donating HEATTECH to disaster victims

In 2024, as UNIQLO celebrated its 40th anniversary, it repeatedly asked itself: ‘What improves people’s lives?’ and ‘What can UNIQLO do to achieve this?’ This led to the launch of the ‘The Heart of LifeWear’ project, aiming to contribute to society through ‘LifeWear’. From the autumn/winter season of that same year, it has donated over one million items, including HEATTECH, to 28 countries and regions worldwide for people in need of support, such as refugees, children, disaster-stricken areas, and children’s homes. On Saturday, 6th December, as the harsh winter set in, UNIQLO visited Nomi City in Ishikawa Prefecture, where evacuees from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake are sheltering.

Accompanied by the Japan Sumo Association, whose official sponsorship agreement UNIQLO signed to mark its centenary, and sumo stablemasters and wrestlers from Ishikawa Prefecture, they delivered HEATTECH garments and encouragement to the affected residents. Participating were Head Coach Takenawa, originally from Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture; Head Coach Hokujin, originally from Anamizu Town in Hōshu District, Ishikawa Prefecture, who announced his retirement in November; wrestler Tōchō (Kasugano stable), originally from Noto Town in Hōshu District; and wrestler Kaki (Otefū stable), originally from Komatsu City. They provided a handmade special chanko nabe hotpot featuring carefully selected ingredients from Ishikawa and conducted sumo health exercises devised by the Japan Sumo Association. Furthermore, a surprise video message from Yokozuna Onosato, from Tsubata Town, Kahoku District, and LifeWear Special Ambassador Haruka Ayase was screened at the venue. Heartfelt support was pledged not only for this occasion but also for the future.