Sumo Masters and Wrestlers from Ishikawa Join UNIQLO to Deliver HEATTECH

In 2024 Fall/Winter, UNIQLO launched “The Heart of LifeWear” – an initiative to donate one million new items of HEATTECH and other clothing to refugees, children, disaster victims, and other vulnerable people around the world. In 2025, we are continuing this initiative, with another donation of one million items globally.

On December 6, 2025, UNIQLO and the Japan Sumo Association, along with oyakata (stablemasters) and sumo wrestlers from Ishikawa Prefecture, visited the city of Nomi in Ishikawa, where many evacuees from the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake live, to deliver HEATTECH.


On the day of the event, UNIQLO COO Tomohiko Sei donated HEATTECH, accepted on behalf of the district by Nomi City Councilor Sakujiro Tanaka, who runs the Nomi Children’s Cafeteria in Sandouyama, which organizes volunteer activities in Nomi. Joining the event were Takenawa-oyakata, stablemaster and former sumo wrestler born in Nanao, Kitajin-oyakata, stablemaster and recently retired sumo wrestler from Anamizu, Tochinobori Minoru, current sumo wrestler from Noto, and Kaki Shuta, current sumo wrestler from Komatsu. To give the disaster victims attending the event an opportunity to warm both their hearts and bodies, in addition to passing out HEATTECH, UNIQLO also served a special handmade chankonabe, a hot pot dish regularly eaten by professional sumo wrestlers, using ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture.


The current and former sumo wrestlers present at the event—Takenawa-oyakata, Kitajin-oyakata, Tochinobori Minoru, and Kaki Shuta—are all from Ishikawa Prefecture. Kitajin-oyakata, who has become a local hero, expressed his joy at returning to his hometown and his feelings for the disaster-stricken area, saying, “I have been looking forward to meeting you today. I hope you are all having a good time!”


Participants were then treated to a surprise video message from Yokozuna Onosato, who is from Tsubata in Ishikawa Prefecture, and LifeWear Special Ambassador Haruka Ayase. An autographed T-shirt from Onosato-zeki, presented to the citizens of Ishikawa Prefecture, was also unveiled. Onosato-zeki shared his feelings for the local area, saying “The cold season is about to begin in earnest, so wear UNIQLO HEATTECH and stay warm. There are likely more difficult days ahead, but I will do my best in the ring to encourage all of you. To everyone in Ishikawa, let’s keep looking ahead and do our best together!” Haruka Ayase also offered warm words, saying, “It’s been nearly two years since the earthquake, and I hope the day will come soon when everyone’s hearts will be at ease, and I see more smiling faces.”


Afterwards, Takenawa-oyakata gave the signal to perform the sumo health exercise routine devised by the Japan Sumo Association. The audience cheered as Tochinobori-san and Kaki-san appeared in mawashi (loincloth), and the entire venue warmed their bodies through exercises combined with sumo wrestling moves. The oyakata and wrestlers went around the venue handing out HEATTECH. “Stay warm with HEATTECH!” said Tochinobori-san, while Kaki-san cried “Thank you for your support! Let's all do our best!” In addition, when the Japan Sumo Association’s special chankonabe made with ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture was served, there were many exclamations of joy from the participants, saying how delicious it was and how much they enjoyed the warm meal. The oyakata, wrestlers, and UNIQLO staff also had chankonabe together, and enjoyed a warm and pleasant time together.


Finally, in keeping with the name “The Heart of LifeWear,” the oyakata joined the participants in writing messages on heart-shaped pieces of paper, and posted them on a board. They both expressed their enthusiasm to continue working for the local community in the future, with Kitajin-oyakata saying, “Much has changed and there are certainly some aspects of this lifestyle that you are not used to, but let’s take it one step at a time together,” while Takenawa-oyakata said, “I was also happy to see everyone in such good spirits.”

Onosato-zeki’s autographed T-shirt is on display at the UNIQLO Nanao store in Ishikawa Prefecture, so that many people in Ishikawa Prefecture can see it.



About The Heart of LifeWear
The Heart of LifeWear initiative was launched in 2024 with UNIQLO considering the question “What makes life better?” and asking how, in its 40th anniversary year, the brand could take further concrete action to contribute to society through LifeWear.

During this season’s The Heart of LifeWear initiative, UNIQLO donated 500,000 items of HEATTECH to returnees in Syria at the request of UNHCR, with which it has a global partnership. In addition, UNIQLO donation projects around the world provided more than 500,000 items of clothing to people in need, including disaster victims, homeless people, and other socially disadvantaged people.