Our Policies and Approach
Suntory Group not only creates enthusiasm and excitement in people through the bold passionate spirit of Suntory sports, but also aims to inspire the brilliance of life, by fostering connections with people and sports, motivating people to “shine” and providing strong support to those who take the first step.
Our Initiatives
Rugby Team Tokyo Suntory SUNGOLIATH
Tokyo Suntory SUNGOLIATH was established in 1980, and has taken the Top League championship five times and won the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship eight times. The team is currently participating in JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE that started in 2022.
SUNGOLIATH has signed comprehensive partnership agreements for the development of the local community with Minato Ward in September 2020; Fuchu City, Chofu City, and Mitaka City in April 2021; and Tokyo in November 2021. Furthermore, in 2026, Suntory concluded a cooperation agreement with Yamanashi Prefecture to strengthen initiatives related to the promotion of rugby, sports development through rugby, regional economic revitalization, and the healthy development of youth. Members of the Tokyo Suntory SUNGOLIATH lead rugby clinics for elementary school students at its host town as well as share their life story in a workshop called “Trying for Dreams,” teaching students about the importance of striving for your dreams.
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Rugby Team Tokyo Suntory SUNGOLIATH
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Rugby clinic
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“Trying for Dreams” workshop
Volleyball Team Suntory SUNBIRDS Osaka
Suntory SUNBIRDS Osaka is a volleyball team that marked its 50th anniversary in 2023 since its founding in 1973. In 2023, they became the first Japanese team to win the Asian Club Championships, and in the World Club Championships, they took third place and a bronze medal, proving they are a talented club that can compete globally.
The team currently belongs to the Daido Life SV.LEAGUE MEN, the top volleyball league in Japan. In the 2024–25 season, the team was crowned the inaugural champion of the SV.LEAGUE, marking its 11th league title overall.
The SUNBIRDS also actively engage in social contribution activities such as ball-based exercise training for the seniors, supporting activities for recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and holding volleyball clinics for elementary and junior high school students at home games.
The team has signed comprehensive partnership agreements for the development of the local community with Osaka City in September 2018 and Minoo City in October 2021 and offers volleyball clinics instructed by the players and staff for a wide range of age groups with a focus on elementary and junior high school students at its host town.
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Volleyball team Suntory SUNBIRDS
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Volleyball clinic
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Comprehensive partnership agreement
with the host town
Ai Miyazato Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament: Pathway to AIG Women’s British Open
Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament is an official ladies open golf tournament of the Japan Ladies Professional Golfers’ Association hosted by Suntory. The event is held annually at the Rokko Kokusai Golf Club in Kobe City. This tournament is seen as a competition to test the true skill of the golfers because it is held for four days, while in Japan most golf tournaments usually last for three days. Ai Miyazato, a professional golfer affiliated with Suntory, acts as an advisor for the tournament and is involved with setting the course, PR for the tournament, and hospitality for visitors. As an international open tournament, it opens its doors and supports the growth of the next generation of Japanese and international amateur golfers who will become leading players in the future, and actively engages in other charitable events.
From the 30th tournament in 2021, the first- and second-place golfers gained entry to the AIG Women’s British Open.
For more information, see Suntory Ladies Open Golf Tournament (in Japanese).
Suntory Dream Match
Suntory has been hosting this baseball event since 1995 to deliver dreams and excitement. The event, which features retired professional baseball legends, has brought joy to more than a million fans to date.
In the 29th match in 2025, the Premium Malt’s team, led by Manager Koji Yamamoto, and the Dream Heroes team, led by Manager Yasushi Tao battled it out. The Suntory Dream Match is also a charity event, with a portion of the proceeds used to support charity activities such as baseball lessons for children throughout Japan.
For more information, see Suntory Dream Match (in Japanese).
Suntory Challenged Sports Project
Suntory Group has been supporting parasports since 2014.
This began in 2014 as part of the recovery efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake, and has gradually expanded the scope and area of its activities. Currently, it mainly consists of the following four activities:
- (1)Challenged Sports Athletes Incentive Program for athletes and sports organizations nationwide
- (2)Dream Athlete wheelchair basketball clinic for elementary and junior high school students (currently held in Koto Ward)
- (3)Parasports Design College is a project to promote the appeal of parasports with university students
- (4)Wheelchair Skills Seminar for medical and welfare students
Suntory Challenged Sports Athletes Incentive Program
The pillar of this project is the Suntory Challenged Sports Athletes Incentive Program.
Starting in 2023, we have provided grants to support the activities of athletes, associations, and sports organizations designated by each association, with the hope of spreading and promoting challenged sports and nurturing and strengthening world-class athletes.
In addition to targeting young athletes*, grant recipients are selected from athletes recommended by parasports associations in prefectures and ordinance-designated cities across Japan, as well as from each association or sports organization designated by each association, in order to support community-based activities and develop them with many partners.
The fourth round of recipients was selected in 2026. Athletes and parasports associations or sports organizations from 57 prefectures and ordinance-designated cities were selected and awarded a total of 28.5 million yen.
We will continue our challenges with our athletes under our PASSION FOR CHALLENGE grounded in our Yatte Minahare spirit.
- *Up to 25 years of age or less than 10 years since starting competition.
Fourth Cohort Send-off Ceremony
Dream Athlete
We also offer hands-on clinics for parasports, including wheelchair basketball in the Tohoku region and other areas. Currently, the activities are based in Tokyo Ariake Arena and offer hands-on clinics for elementary and junior high school students in Koto Ward, with players from the Tokyo wheelchair basketball team NO EXCUSE as instructors.
Since 2023, more than 2,000 children have participated, experiencing the joy of parasports through interactions with athletes.
Hands-on clinic held in a friendly setting
Parasports Design College
In 2021, we launched a project called Parasports Design College with university students to promote the appeal of parasports. The project has posted on its website and social media a player directory that introduces wheelchair basketball players from a university student’s perspective, as well as interviews with players. The project also surveys university students about awareness of parasports in order to convey the excitement of challenged sports in various ways. Parasports Design College also hosts wheelchair basketball clinics and sets up event booths at tournaments.
The project is made up of students from various universities who are passionate about parasports.
Wheelchair Skills Seminar
We hold seminars for medical and welfare university students, where they acquire active wheelchair skills, with the aim of nurturing the next generation of parasports instructors. Having started in the Tohoku region, these seminars are now being expanded to the Kanto, Kansai, and Kyushu areas.
A seminar where participants learn how to “raise casters,” a technique used to overcome everyday barriers.
In addition to these four activities, from 2025, Paralympian Mami Tani (an employee of Suntory) will serve as an ambassador for the project, promoting not only her own athletic activities but also the efforts and appeal of challenged sports.
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Mami Tani training hard
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Press conference for
her appointment
as ambassador
For more information, see Supporting Para-Sports (in Japanese).