J-VILLAGE and the Energy Sector of Hitachi, Ltd. /
Partnership with the Local Community

J-Village is Japan's first national training center for soccer. It opened in Fukushima in 1997. The facility has been a “sacred place for soccer.” It has hosted Japan national soccer team camps. Since its establishment, J-Village has, through its origination in sports, supported an energetic community and the development of human resources.

Right after the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in 2011, J-Village temporarily suspended operations as a sports facility and began to play an important role as a frontline operational base supporting the restoration and revitalization of the disaster-stricken area. It was a base where the self-defense forces, fire departments, police, cooperating companies and many other organizations and people involved in the restoration and revitalization of the area gathered to stage activities for the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (station one), including changing into protective clothing and testing equipment.

（Photo: The history of J-Village, from when the idea of building the facility began in 1993 to 2019 is depicted on the wall along J-Village Street）

After many years, the dedicated efforts of many people made it possible for J-Village to begin operating as a sports facility again on April 20, 2019. These operations had been suspended for nearly eight years and one month. To facilitate post-disaster restoration and revitalization activities, the natural turf pitches were covered with crushed stone and used as a parking lot for service vehicles and people going to station one. Dedicated people replanted the pitches, and they have regrown into beautiful soccer fields.
The facility has started hosting the official camps of Japan's national soccer team, J-League clubs and foreign national soccer teams, and it has been continuing its journey as a symbol of regional revitalization as a place where people can gather, take on challenges and share impressive moments with each other.

In its business operations that support the energy sector and social infrastructure, the Energy Sector of Hitachi has walked its path with local communities. The Energy Sector of Hitachi sponsors J-Village and works as a partner supporting its activities because it deeply identifies with J-Village's position of supporting the local community as a hub for revitalization. This sponsorship is more than just support. It is also an expression of the Energy Sector of Hitachi's intention to pursue community-rooted sustainable development together towards the future.

（Photo: The Hitachi logo on the natural turf pitch）

In line with J-Village's slogan, “Make an impressive moment into a lifelong memory,” the Energy Sector of Hitachi will continue to support this facility, which is a symbol of the journey toward regional revitalization and our hope for the future.