On Saturday, September 9th, UNIQLO will be holding the "UNIQLO Next Generation Development Program with Ayumu Hirano 14" at the Murakami Snow Research & Training Center, a facility that recreates a half-pipe air, to support the next generation of children, together with UNIQLO global brand ambassador and professional snowboarder/skateboarder Ayumu Hirano.
At this event, you can see Hirano's tricks up close, and there will also be a learning session to think about the future with the children. In order to hold the event, participants and general spectators will be recruited from 8:19 on Monday, August 11th. This event is part of the UNIQLO Next Generation Development Program.
The facility, which will be the venue, will be sponsored by UNIQLO and will be the first in the world* to recreate the half-pipe air, which is typically performed on snow, off-snow with a high degree of accuracy, allowing training to be done without being greatly affected by the season or weather. Trial operation is scheduled to begin on the same day as the event.
*As of August 2024, this is an outdoor half-pipe off-training facility where skaters can take off from the walls on both sides and maintain an air time of 8 seconds on the same trajectory as a half-pipe air.
Through the "UNIQLO Next Generation Development Program with Ayumu Hirano 2024," UNIQLO will promote efforts to develop the next generation that will contribute to the sustainable development of society, nurture the dreams of children who will lead the future, and aim to create a better society.
Below are Hirano Ayumu's comments and event details.
■Comment from UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassador Ayumu Hirano
I am happy to be able to hold a next-generation development event in my hometown of Murakami with UNIQLO, who I have worked with since 2018. At the event, I hope to convey to children not only snowboarding skills, but also the importance of challenging yourself and having dreams. Through the event held at this new facility, I would like to give back and contribute to the city of Murakami where I was born and raised, even if only a little.
■ Outline
Event name: UNIQLO Next Generation Development Program with Ayumu Hirano 2024
Date and time: Saturday, September 2024, 9, 14:10-00:12 (scheduled)
Location: Murakami Snow Research & Training Center and Murakami City Skate Park (3-2-22 Senami Onsen, Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture)
Organizer: UNIQLO
Guests: Ayumu Hirano, MC ALEE, Daisuke Nogami (titles omitted)
Participants: Event participants > 4th grade elementary school students to 3rd grade junior high school students living in Japan
General Spectators: Residents of Japan aged 15 and over Main Programs: – Half-pipe demonstration by Hirano (spectator)
– Learning session with Hirano (classroom)
Lecture theme: Realizing your dreams
*Please note that the program may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
*Prior to this event, a completion ceremony for the new facility will be held on the same day.
■ Application requirements
For this event, we are looking for participants from 4th grade elementary school to 3rd grade junior high school students, as well as general spectators.
You can experience the world's first new facility and watch Hirano's spectacular tricks up close. You can also learn a lot from the event, such as Hirano's mindset, during the learning session. Participation is free. After the application deadline, a strict lottery will be held to determine the winners. Please note that you will be responsible for your own travel expenses to and from the venue.
*If you wish, we will provide a round-trip shuttle bus from Niigata Station to the venue (free of charge). Details will be provided to the winners.
▼Event participants
Eligible participants: 4th grade elementary school students to 3rd grade junior high school students living in Japan
* In addition to the participant, up to two family members may accompany you.
*No snowboarding experience required.
Number of participants: 30
Application requirements: Please fill out the "Questions for Mr. Hirano" form when applying.
Program: – Half-pipe demonstration by Hirano (spectator)
– Learning session with Hirano (classroom)
Participation benefits: All event participants will have a commemorative photo taken with Hirano and will receive an original event T-shirt
Application period: Monday, August 2024, 8, 19:11 - Sunday, August 00, 8, 25:23
How to apply: Please apply using the application form below during the application period.
https://entryinfo.jp/fm/pub/uniqlo/2024_event
*The application link will only be accessible during the application period. Winner notification: Successful applicants will be notified of their win by email or phone by early September 2024, and will be asked to confirm their intention to participate.nextgen_event2024@uniqlo.co.jp Email from
Please set up your email settings to receive emails.
▼General spectators
Eligible participants: People aged 15 or older who live in Japan
Number of participants: 15 groups (30 people) (single participants are also accepted)
Participation benefits: Commemorative photo with Hirano for all spectators
Application period: Monday, August 2024, 8, 19:11 - Sunday, August 00, 8, 25:23
How to apply: 1. Follow the target Instagram account or X account
Instagram account: "@uniqlo_ambassadors"
X Account: "@UQAmbassadors"
② "Like" (for Instagram) or "repost" (for X) the target post during the application period.
*Please check each account for eligible posts.
Notification of winners: Winners will be notified via direct mail with a participation confirmation form by early September 2024.
Your application will be completed once you have filled in the required information on the participation confirmation form.
About the UNIQLO Next Generation Development Program
UNIQLO announced this in November 2022 as a collective term for its next-generation development activities to support children around the world in collaboration with world-class athletes, including UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassadors, and various organizations. In order to help children grow into leaders of a sustainable future, the program provides social contribution by holding classes on sustainability in addition to coaching sports competitions, while also providing hints on how to live positively and powerfully through interactions with top athletes who have mastered the field of sports. This will be Hirano's second time participating in the program, following the event held at Yokone Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture in March 11.
■ Profile of Ayumu Hirano
Born November 1998, 11. From Murakame City, Niigata Prefecture. At the age of 29, he won a silver medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics (15), becoming the youngest medalist in history to represent Japan at the Winter Olympics. He won a silver medal for the second consecutive Olympics at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics (2014). From the fall of 2018, he will attempt the unprecedented dual role of snowboarding and skateboarding. He will represent Japan in skateboarding at the Tokyo Summer Olympics (2). He will be the first Japanese snowboarder to win a gold medal at the Beijing Winter Olympics (2018). He will be awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in April 2021.
■About UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassadors
UNIQLO has invited some of the world's leading athletes to serve as Global Brand Ambassadors, and is working to promote the UNIQLO brand and the LifeWear concept. In addition to supporting their world-class performance, UNIQLO will use the professional perspectives gained from these efforts to create LifeWear (the ultimate everyday wear) with unprecedented value that will make everyone's lives more comfortable. Furthermore, through activities with Global Brand Ambassadors, UNIQLO will strengthen ties with all parts of the world and promote contributions to local communities.
