On the 7th, Kenta Nemoto and Toshikazu Teruuchi visited an art workshop for people with disabilities run by the social welfare corporation Minuma Welfare Association.
The visit is part of Urawa Reds' SDGs promotion activities, and aims to expose players to diverse values and expressions and deepen their learning through interactions with the artists at the workshop and viewing their works.



On the day, they visited Kobo Shu and Kawaguchi Taiyo no Ie, where they interacted with many artists. They were greeted with smiles and spent a pleasant time together. They smiled at the decorations featuring portraits of the two athletes, exchanged business cards with the artists, and deepened their friendships through conversation.



Afterwards, the participants were shown works themed around Urawa Reds, and had the opportunity to interact with the artists while learning about their daily activities and the atmosphere of the workshop.
In addition, a message card with a congratulatory message and a caricature was presented to Teruuchi, whose birthday is on November 8th, making for a time filled with smiles.



Through these interactions and viewing the works, we were able to hear directly from the artists about the background of their works and their thoughts, and also learn about the meaning of expression, the diverse strengths of each individual, and the way of life that is embodied within them.





The exchange between Urawa Reds and the members of Kobo Shu, a social welfare corporation run by Minuma Welfare Association, began in 2012 and has continued unchanged for over 10 years. The exchange began when Urawa Reds club staff felt a connection with the activities of Kobo Shu, which values the importance of "living and working as yourself" even if you have a disability, and delivers a message to society through art. The exchange has led to the encounter between the two different forms of expression, football and art, and has created times of mutual respect and smiles in the community.



One of these activities is the "LIVE TOGETHER!" art exhibition featuring people with disabilities, which began in the 2023 season and has been well received by many fans and supporters. The exhibition, held at Saitama Stadium, the home game venue, provides an opportunity to encounter diverse expressions through the works of artists with disabilities. Furthermore, during this visit, we were able to see works that will be on display from the start of the Meiji Yasuda J.League Centennial Vision League, which begins in early February 2026, making it a valuable experience unique to this visit.



They continued to talk with each person at each desk, spending the rest of the visit filled with smiles, and to conclude the day's interaction, they took a commemorative photo with everyone, bringing the day's visit to a close.

[Mr. Emi Miyamoto, Manager of Kawaguchi Taiyo no Ie and Koboshu, Social Welfare Corporation Minuma Welfare Association]
"I think many people are unaware of welfare facilities that employ people with disabilities. We are working to support artists' participation in society through the art they create. We have connected with Urawa Reds, who have held an art exhibition for people with disabilities at Saitama Stadium and have had players visit, which brings great joy to people with disabilities and gives them daily energy. In addition, going to see the works on display at Saitama Stadium brings joy to the people with disabilities and their families.
Through this activity, I would like to spread understanding of people with disabilities, and by letting more people know about them, I would be happy if they could connect with us not only as people who have overcome their disabilities, but also as fellow 'living people' and understand the work they are doing."

[Kenta Nemoto]
"During my visit today, I was very happy to see up close the support of so many people, and it really brought home to me how many people are cheering me on.
I've heard from artists that their work gives them confidence. I also have many plays that give me confidence. Although the content is different, we have in common the fact that they give us confidence, and I felt a connection. I would like to continue working hard so that I can show you such plays.
"Today's visit also made me realize once again that there are so many people supporting me and that we are fighting together. Visits like this and opportunities to interact with them face-to-face are very meaningful, and I would like to become a player who can contribute even off the pitch."

[Toshikazu Teruuchi]
"There were people who were so happy about our visit that they cried, and many who wore Urawa Reds uniforms, and it really brought home to me just how many people support us. Looking at the works of the artists today, I thought they were all very fascinating and wonderful. As a football player who expresses myself on the pitch, I hope to be able to translate this into play that the spectators can enjoy.
At the stadium, I have the opportunity to interact with fans and supporters, but I don't have many opportunities to do so outside the stadium, so I would like to continue to actively participate in activities like this, and I would like to use these opportunities to convey my gratitude to them."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]