Bringing Smiles and Exchange to the Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disaster Area. "Noto Town Boccia Tournament" Event Report

The First Noto Town Boccia Tournament was held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Yanagida Elementary School in Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture. Approximately 50 residents of Noto Town participated as players, with the core operations managed by the d4g Volunteer Division (Boccia Division)※1, a volunteer group from dentsu Japan (Dentsu Group).

Since the Noto Peninsula Earthquake struck on January 1, 2024, many residents of Noto Town are still forced to live in temporary housing. Amidst the challenges of drastic changes in living conditions and the weakening of local community bonds, there is a growing need for mental and physical care and for rebuilding connections.Thus, the Bo-bu sought to create a space for residents to interact and share smiles through boccia※2, a para-sport enjoyable by all regardless of age or physical ability. This vision led to the planning of the "Noto Town Boccia Tournament." Realized through careful coordination and trial sessions, it was made possible with the cooperation of Noto Town and Ishikawa Prefecture as part of the "Ishikawa Prefecture Noto Peninsula Earthquake Regional Community Reconstruction Project."

*1 d4g Volunteer Club... A volunteer group within dentsu Japan. It introduces "Social Good activities" and encourages participation not only for those already volunteering, but also for those interested, those wanting to take action, and those wishing to support such activities. Commonly known as the Bo Club.

※2 Boccia... An official Paralympic sport. Players compete to get their colored ball (red or blue) closest to the white target ball, called the "jack ball." While the rules are simple, the sport involves high strategy—such as knocking opponents' balls away or moving the target—making it enjoyable for everyone regardless of age, gender, or disability.

Close match after close match, thrilling both players and supporters

Over six days in July, August, and September 2025, boccia experience sessions were held at ten locations across Noto Town, including temporary housing community centers and civic halls. Boccia sets were donated to the venues hosting these sessions. In some cases, courts marked with masking tape were left in place, allowing members to practice anytime they gathered. The culmination of these efforts was the First Noto Town Boccia Tournament.

The tournament featured 12 teams. Players had practiced extensively using the donated boccia sets following the preliminary experience sessions, resulting in consistently high-level competition on the day. The venue erupted repeatedly with cheers and excitement. After 16 matches, including league play, "TEAM 460 (Shiromaru) A" claimed the championship. The award ceremony included a commemorative photo session with Noto Town's mascot, "Notorin."

Dancing the Noto Town Ondo together, hearts as one

After the match, volunteer staff from across the country joined in dancing the Noto Town Ondo. The sight of over 50 players and about 40 staff members forming a circle and dancing was spectacular. Smiles spread everywhere, making it an event filled with a sense of unity.

Connections breed new connections. The real event begins here.

This event was made possible through the cooperation of employees and their families/associates from various dentsu Japan companies who responded to the call from the Bo-bu, along with volunteers and organizations like JOCA, OPEN JAPAN, and Nihon Results, which support earthquake victims.

Mr. Tsunoda of the Chonmage-tai, who continues regular activities in Noto, shared his thoughts for the future: "The meaning lies not in this activity ending here, but in continuing it." This strengthened the resolve of all members involved in the initiative.

【Event Overview】
Name: First Noto Town Boccia Tournament
Date and Time: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM　
Venue: Yanagida Elementary School Gymnasium and Yanagida Community Center, Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture
Organizers: Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCA), d4g Volunteer Club
Cooperation: Ishikawa Prefecture, Noto Town
Special Thanks: OPEN JAPAN / NPO Japan Results / Chonmage-tai / All Aoyama Sports Community (Aoyama Gakuin University) / Volunteer Circle Team G / Shinmura Shinyukai General Incorporated Association / Disaster Support Group STRANDER / Ishikawa Prefectural Noto High School (Comprehensive Exploration Time Sports Group) /Hoshiba Farm / Unibel Co., Ltd. / Mr. KOYA / Mr. Wally / Noto Railway Co., Ltd. / Everyone from Minamisanriku / Everyone from Yamagata / Osaka Rotaract Club / Acne Mission / Okayama Prefectural Asahiryu Elementary School PTA / Mr. Minami of Yanagida Community Center / The Oyama Family from Sendai
Participating dJ Companies: Dentsu, dentsu Japan, SPORTS Edge Inc., DENTSU CORPORATE ONE INC., Dentsu tempo Inc., Dentsu Solari Inc., Dentsu Digital Inc., Dentsu West Japan Inc. (Hokuriku Branch)

※The Bo-bu is currently recruiting partners to participate in and support this activity.
お問い合わせはd4g.volunteer@dentsu.co.jpまで.