Charity Ambassadors
A musical duo, KobukuroKentaro Kobuchi
I will participate in the Osaka Marathon 2015 again as a Charity Ambassador this year, following last year’s event, for which I composed the official theme song called “42.195 km”. I am delighted that I was able to express the charm of the Osaka Marathon and the energy, empathy and warmth of Osakans along with other runners through this music. The Osaka Marathon gathers momentum year after year. I will practice hard over such momentum and do my best to break the glorious finishing tape, prepared for each one of the runners with a smile this year again.
I love the Osaka Marathon, where runners encourage each other and feel connected with supporters on the sidelines, where there are people with smiles and tears. It is a day when the large city of Osaka really comes together. This year too, I want to run through the city with the utmost energy, while feeling many people cooperate with each step I take. I aim to achieve a personal best this time so please root for me!
- Profile
- Born on March 13, 1977, from Miyazaki. Part of the musical duo, “Kobukuro”, who made their major debut in September 1998. In 2005, Kobukuro scored a big hit with “Kokonishika Sakanai Hana” and “Sakura”, which paved the way for their appearance on NHK “Kohaku Uta Gassen”, an annual music show on New Year’s Eve. In September 2006, their first greatest-hits album, “ALL SINGLES BEST” was released and topped the ORICON hit chart for four weeks in a row. In 2007, a single, “Tsubomi” was released and honored with a grand prize at the 49th Japan Record Awards, followed in 2010 by another single, “Ryusei”. In 2013, an album, “One Song From Two Hearts” was released, while the following year, 2014, saw the NHK theme for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic games, “Ima Sakihokoru Hanatachiyo” become a hit. In March 2015, their latest single, “Kiseki” was released, preceding a national tour, “KOBUKURO LIVE TOUR 2015 KISEKI Supported by Ghana”, which set an attendance record of 300,000. On Wednesday, April 20, 2015, a CM song for Lotte Ghana chocolate, “hana” was released as a CD single, exclusively available at their live venues. Kentaro Kobuchi participated in the Osaka Marathon 2012 as a charity runner and as a Charity Ambassador in 2013 and 2014.
Professor, Director of the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application,
Kyoto UniversityShinya Yamanaka
The Osaka Marathon is a wonderful event that mixes a passion for running with a passion for charity. The Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, where I serve as Director, was selected as an official charity organization after last year, and your donations to the institute have gone a long way toward advancing our research. As a Charity Ambassador, I am excited about the charity activities we are planning for this year’s Osaka Marathon. I am also participating in the race as a runner for the first time in two years. As well as aiming to complete the race, I look forward to running through my hometown and hearing the cheers that only Osaka folk can give.
- Profile
- Born in Osaka in 1962, Shinya Yamanaka graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Kobe University, in 1987 and then joined Osaka National Hospital as a resident.
After completing a doctoral course at the Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, he joined the Gladstone Institutes in the U.S.A. This period was the beginnings of his research that eventually led the discovery of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. In 1997, upon returning to Japan, he served as Research Associate at Osaka City University and then Assistant Professor and eventually Professor at the Research and Education Center for Genetic Information, Nara Institute of Science and Technology. In 2004, he assumed the post of Professor at the Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University. In 2006, he and his team announced the world’s first iPS cells from mouse fibroblasts and then in 2007 from human fibroblasts in 2007. Thereafter, Shinya Yamanaka assumed the post of Director at the iPS Research Center, Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, launched in January 2008, and in April 2010, assumed the post of Director at the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application. In December 2012, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He has served as a Charity Supporter of the Osaka Marathon in 2012 and as Charity Ambassador in 2013 and 2014.
Kabuki ActorNakamura Ganjiro
I am very honored to participate in the Osaka Marathon 2015 as a Charity Ambassador again, following last year’s event.
It’s been a year since I succeeded to the revered kabuki name, representing Kamigata Kabuki, Nakamura Ganjiro and I am also delighted to be given this responsibility in Osaka, where I have laid down roots.
On the race day itself, I will appear on the kabuki stage and will be unable to come to the race venue but I will do the best I can to enliven the race. I would appreciate your support.
- Profile
- Born on February 6, 1959. Nakamura Ganjiro is the first son of the celebrated kabuki actor, Sakata Tojuro and the 5th heir under his stage family name, Narikomaya. In November 1967, he made a debut, playing Ichimanmaru in “Kobaisoga” at Kabuki-za and assumed his first kabuki name, Nakamura Tomotaro. He acquired the Nadaitekinin Certificate in 1990. In January 1995, he became 5th heir of Nakamura Kanjaku when playing Chubei and some other roles in “Fuinkiri” at Naka-za in Osaka. He has engaged in a wide range of performances, ranging from both young adult male roles to female roles, projecting a bright and vigorous style. He calls Osaka home and is actively involved in passing Kamigata Kabuki down through the generations.
He became the 4th heir to Nakamura Ganjiro during his performance given in honor of his succession to his new name at Osaka Shochiku-za in January and February 2015. An actor with roots in Osaka, his milestone performance tour commenced at Osaka Shochiku-za and is scheduled to include Kabuki-za, Hakata-za and Kyoto Kaomise performances, in April, June and December respectively. He also served as a Charity Ambassador for the Osaka Marathon 2014.
Model / TalentMika Ahn
I am very honored to play a role as a Charity Ambassador for the Osaka Marathon 2015 again this year, following last year’s event as the first Osaka Tourism Ambassador. Since I grew up in Osaka and was a long distance runner there for six years, the landscape that I see in the Osaka Marathon is my beloved hometown, where I also used to run.
The Osaka Marathon, supported by cheerful, friendly and powerful Osakans, unifies supporters and runners through charity activities, from which I feel all participants can gain strength.
I hope your courage to take on the challenge and your kindness to participate in charity activities create a circle of friendship and togetherness through cheering.
I will support you all by participating in the charity activities and help you complete the race with a smile again this year.
I will see you all at the Osaka Marathon.
- Profile
- Born in Korea and raised in Japan. She is a fashion model and talent. Since her first appearance during Paris Fashion Week in 1993, she has been active in various fields as a TV/radio personality, jewelry/fashion designer, cosmetic producer, essayist, lecturer and singer as well as a fashion model. She is certified in various fields of female beauty, such as the EPM Protocol Advisor for World Standard Manners, Kampo stylist, top-level certificate in cosmetics, NARD aroma advisor and so on. In 2013, she married an American businessman. Mika and her husband often appear on TV together and attract popularity as a happy couple. Mika has also served as Honorary Korean PR Ambassador as well as being active as the first Osaka Tourism Ambassador since 2009 and 2013 respectively. She has been widening her appeal in various areas and served as a Charity Ambassador for the Osaka Marathon 2014.
Baseball commentatorNorihiro Akahoshi
I am going to support the Osaka Marathon 2015 as a Charity Ambassador again. I think although the Osaka Marathon has established itself as a charity marathon under the theme “Running can help someone”, we still need your support. I suppose many people wish to pitch in but are unsure how. As one of the catalysts to provide this opportunity, the Osaka Marathon plays a significant role with responsibility. I am very proud to be able to support such activities as a Charity Ambassador and it gives me great pleasure to be involved in the event, alongside many other runners, volunteer staff and supporters on the sidelines. This year will see the fifth Osaka Marathon and I hope the charity circle will be even larger. I will try my best to support the event and make it a globally pre-eminent race.
- Profile
- Born on April 10, 1976, from Aichi. In 2001, Norihiro Akahoshi joined the Hanshin Tigers and captured the titles of Stolen Base Crown and Rookie of the Year in his first year. He won the title of Stolen Base Champion five years in a row and was awarded the Best Nine Award twice and Golden Glove Award six times. In 2009, he hurt his spine while making a diving catch during the game and was forced to retire as a professional baseball player. During his competitive career, he donated the same number of wheelchairs as he stole bases during the season to hospitals and care facilities. After he retired from his competitive career, he established “Ring of Red – Norihiro Akahoshi’s fund to widen the circle” and is committed to social contributions. Currently, he appears on various media, utilizing wide-ranging experience, as well as wheelchair donation activities, establishing a boys’ baseball team, aiming to develop the baseball world, while remaining actively involved as a baseball commentator. Since 2012, he has co-organizedd an affiliated marathon with the Osaka Marathon, the Ring of Red Katano City Charity Marathon as an executive committee chairman with Katano City. In November 2014, he was appointed ambassador of SAMURAI JAPAN (the Japan International Baseball Team). He was a Charity Runner for the Osaka Marathon 2012 and a Charity Ambassador for 2013 and 2014.
Freelance NewscasterSaki Yagi
I ran my first full distance in the Osaka Marathon 2013 when serving as a Charity Ambassador. Thanks to the support of other runners and vigorous cheers on the sidelines, I made it to the end. I realized the warmth and power of Osaka while running through the city. I am already looking forward to the Osaka Marathon race day, as an event that helps unite the citizens and their city.
- Profile
- Born in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. in 1978 and raised in Abeno, Osaka. Saki Yagi lived in Seoul, Korea for three years as am elementary student and spent a whole year attending high school in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. Graduated from the Department of English, Faculty of Letters Doshisha University. Joined Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. (MBS) as an announcer and after serving as a newscaster for Nippon Television Network Corporation’s “NEWS ZERO,” she is currently actively involved in interviewing numerous politicians, celebrities - including Hollywood actors - as well as covering lots of materials, both domestically and abroad and the news. She assumed a post as visiting professor at Doshisha University in October 2015 and served as a Charity Ambassador for the Osaka Marathon 2013.
Miss Universe 2007 / Model / Dance Artistic DirectorRiyo Mori
Hello, everyone. I am Riyo Mori, an Osaka Marathon Charity Ambassador. I am delighted and honored to give my strong support to runners in person this year again, as in the past. When I see off all the runners at the starting line, cheer them at the halfway stage and welcome them at the goal, I can see various expressions at each stage. Every runner focuses all his/her attention on the Osaka Marathon and their own goals, while cheering each other on and there are also ongoing charity events. Every year, I am deeply moved by people selfless enough to run for the sake of others as well as themselves. Each charity theme is color-coded, which is a feature of the Osaka Marathon and the colorful items resemble a rainbow. All participants build a rainbow bridge over the city of Osaka, which then runs through the city. This year again, let’s make a rainbow in the Osaka Marathon!
- Profile
- Born in 1986 in Shizuoka, Riyo Mori began to learn jazz dance at the age of four and studied ballet in Canada, where she attended a local high school and then moved to the U.S.A. to become a Broadway dancer. In 2007, she participated in the Miss Universe 2007 pageant as Japan's representative and was unanimously crowned. During her fourteen months of service, based in New York, she engaged in various charity activities, including support for HIV/AIDS and children with intractable disease as the world’s top spokeswoman and traveled to a total of fifteen countries worldwide. Currently, she coaches in mental and aesthetic fields through dancing at her own dance studio, I.R.M Academy, as well as active modeling work. Serves as a Dream Supporter for the Special Olympics Nippon and was a Charity Ambassador to the Osaka Marathons in 2013 and 2014.
Former NFL Cheerleader, the first Japanese team captain
The President of the TOMOKO KOJIMA CHEER DANCE ACADEMY,
Visiting Professor at Otemon Gakuin UniversityTomoko Kojima
I am very honored to have the opportunity to participate once again in the Osaka Marathon 2015 as a Charity Ambassador. I participated in the events as a runner in 2011 and as a cheerleader from 2013 onward. This year again, I will cheer for the runners from the sidelines, along with cheerleaders aged from three to twelve and the Special Olympics Nippon athletes. We will do out best to do so with cheer spirits in the hope that each runner can complete the race with a big smile.
Moreover, I choreographed Osaka Marathon’s theme song, “42.195 km” in POM style this year. It is easy for anyone to dance to and features added comical essence matched with lyrics in an Osaka dialect. Please join us dancing on the sidelines. Some of you may feel embarrassed to dance in front of many people, but don’t worry. You can also enjoy with friends, arm in arm. Let's make the city of Osaka with rainbow colors!
I am looking forward to seeing your smiling faces. Let’s Go Runners!
- Profile
- Born in Osaka. Tomoko Kojima served as a cheerleader for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL (National Football League, U.S.A.) for eight consecutive seasons in a row from 2003 to 2011, a record length for a Japanese cheerleader. In her final year, she was active as the first-ever Japanese team captain in the NFL. She is one of the representative cheerleaders in Japan and chosen as a member for the selected team, for four out of the eight years of her NFL career. After retiring, she returned to Japan and has since been active in various fields, including motivational speaking, media appearances and events and college coaching. She also opened her own cheer dance academy called TOMOKO KOJIMA CHEER DANCE ACADEMY in Osaka and is focusing on teaching children.
She assumed a post as visiting professor at Otemon Gakuin University in 2014 and Dream Supporter of the Special Olympics Nippon. She was a Charity Runner for the Osaka Marathon 2011 and a Charity Ambassador in 2013 and 2014.
ArtistJimmy Onishi
I am looking forward to running the race as a Charity Ambassador, as well as having the opportunity to exhibit my original work, drawn specially for this event. I am Jimmy Onishi, born on the morning of January 1 and aged 51. I will challenge a full marathon – 42.195 km – for the first time and although a little nervous as to whether I can make it, I am also excited. I will be over the moon if I can enjoy running the marathon, but I will probably need to prepare 800 bottles of energy drink.
I never imagined I would run through the city of Osaka, where I was born and raised, as a marathon runner. I wonder what will go through my mind when I take the first step in the race. I may sprain my ankle, which would force me to retire, or give up after running 100 meters, given a lack of staying power throughout my life as well. Since I have a good nose, which can even outperform a police dog, I may stop on the way if I get lured in by the smell of yummy food, which pervades the city of Osaka, known as the kuidaore town (eat yourself out of house and home). Many thoughts race through my head. I aim to finish in six hours and try my best not to retire. I would like to run through the beautiful Osaka autumn with a positive feeling.
- Profile
- His real name is Hideaki Onishi. Although he came to the fore as a talent, he started production activities as an artist, taking his cue from a painting he drew on a TV show. In 1996, he retired from show business to become a full-time artist. He has since been engaged in wide-ranging jobs, including designing postal stamps, bank books, CD covers, posters and wine labels, as well as exterior packaging of buses, monorails, automobiles, the world’s largest LNG tanker and public art, such as objects and monuments. As well as Japan, he also creates artwork and has held exhibitions overseas. He has published picture books and put on events to create artwork collaborating with children. Recently, he has been energetically active in collaborating with select shops and renowned brands with his unique style. His work, which reflects a fascination with bright colors and unique composition, is highly esteemed and supported from all quarters.
In 1999, he received the Award for Cultural Merit from the Pará State government, Brazil.