NOK Corporation (Headquarters: Shibadaimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, Group Chief Executive Officer: Masao Tsuru; hereinafter referred to as “NOK”) is committed to working closely with local communities at its sites in Japan and overseas. At the Kumamoto Plant (Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture), the company has continued to support sports initiatives that promote environmental conservation, nurture the next generation, and encourage community engagement. For the 2025-26 season, NOK will once again serve as an official partner of Kumamoto Basketball Co., Ltd. (Kumamoto Volters) and Forest Leaves Kumamoto Co., Ltd., reinforcing its commitment to building a shared future with the region.

This year, NOK will participate for the first time in the "Water Festival," an event organized by the Kumamoto Volters to highlight the importance of groundwater and raise conservation awareness. Kumamoto is one of the few regions in Japan where groundwater accounts for nearly 80% of the prefecture's water supply and 100% in Kumamoto City. Groundwater is also used at the Kumamoto Plant to produce seal products. The Water Festival will be held on March 14 (Saturday) and 15 (Sunday), 2026, in conjunction with the NOK-sponsored Kumamoto Volters games. A portion of event proceeds will be donated to the Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation to support groundwater conservation activities.

NOK also works with the Kumamoto Volters and Forest Leaves Kumamoto to support the next generation through activities such as co-hosting sports clinics. These programs give children the chance to interact with professional athletes, experience the joy of sports, and learn the value of taking on challenges, all while fostering a stronger connection to their community. NOK supports projects that help create vibrant community spaces and deepen local connections.

About the teams and partnership details

NOK positions its partnership with the Kumamoto Volters and Forest Leaves Kumamoto as a community co-creation initiative focused on nurturing the next generation, advancing environmental conservation, and strengthening regional ties.

Initiatives to support the next generation

・Kids Support Project: Game invitations
At the two NOK-sponsored Kumamoto Volters games, 100 elementary and junior high school students from nine municipalities, including Aso City, Aso District, and Kikuchi District, will be invited free of charge. In addition to enjoying the games, the children will also have the chance to learn about groundwater conservation efforts.

・Dream Caravan: Basketball clinic
On Sunday, September 21, players from the Kumamoto Volters will host a basketball clinic for elementary and junior high school students at the NOK Kumamoto Plant gymnasium. First held in 2019, the clinic has welcomed about 400 participants in total to date, with around 150 expected to join this year.

・Volleyball clinic
On Sunday, October 5, all players from Forest Leaves Kumamoto will conduct a volleyball clinic at the NOK Kumamoto Plant gymnasium. The event was first held last year, drawing about 70 participants.

・Support for the Kumamoto Volters U15 Aso youth team
NOK provides the Kumamoto Plant gymnasium as a home base for the “U15 Aso” youth team, where practices are held three to five times a week. The facility is also used as a game venue for the team’s official matches.

Environmental conservation activities

・Participating in the Water Festival
 The Water Festival was organized for the first time last year by the Kumamoto Volters. Its aim is to raise awareness of the importance of groundwater, one of Kumamoto’s most precious resources, and promote conservation. NOK will participate in the event for the first time this year.

・Supporting the Rice Paddy Owner System
 Since 2019, the Kumamoto Plant has supported the Rice Paddy Owner Program, run by the Kumamoto Groundwater Foundation. The Rice Paddy Owner Program is a groundwater conservation initiative that brings together rice paddy owners and participating companies, organizations, and individuals to jointly grow rice. By preserving paddies that allow rain and surface water to naturally seep into the soil, the program supports the process of groundwater recharge. The harvested rice is donated to community programs such as “VOLTERS KITCHEN,” a children’s cafeteria organized by the Kumamoto Volters, and Food Bank Kumamoto.
Related press release: https://www.nokgrp.com/en/news/2025/061001.html

Strengthening community ties

・Support for “VOLTERS KITCHEN”
Since 2022, the Kumamoto Volters have organized VOLTERS KITCHEN, a community project aimed at addressing social challenges in the region. The initiative welcomed around 340 participants in 2022 and about 880 in 2023. By bringing local residents together to share meals and enjoy games, the project helps foster stronger community connections.

Partnership details

 Overview of the NOK Kumamoto Plant

・Location: 2089 Nagakusa, Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture
・Established: 1970
・Domestic production sites under Kumamoto Plant supervision: 7 locations
　(3 in Kumamoto Prefecture, 1 in Oita Prefecture, 2 in Saga Prefecture, 1 in Miyazaki Prefecture) ,
　Kumamoto NOK Corporation (2 plants), Aso NOK Corporation, Kusu NOK Corporation, Saga NOK Corporation (2 plants), Nichinan NOK Corporation
・Main products: O-rings, packings, gaskets, and others
・Employees: Approx. 2,300 (total including production sites)