FC Ryukyu OKINAWA (hereinafter "FC Ryukyu"), Okinawa Prefecture's only J.League club, owned by Kayac Inc. (Headquarters: Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, CEO: Daisuke Yanagisawa, TSE Growth: 3904, hereinafter "Kayac"), has its official mascot, Jinbe-nyo. The picture book "Jinbe-nyo's Dream" (Price: 2,530 yen including tax), which depicts his background, has been completed with support through crowdfunding.

This book will be published by children's book publisher Poplar Publishing Co., Ltd., and will go on sale nationwide from August 5 (Wed) at bookstores in Okinawa Prefecture and on Amazon. In addition, a reading event to commemorate the publication has also been decided. This book depicts the importance of having dreams and supporting others.

[Distributed to All Elementary Schools in Okinawa Prefecture] The Background of "Jinbe-nyo's Dream"

FC Ryukyu has valued activities rooted in the local community, with the management philosophy of "From Okinawa, let's make everyone UMUSAN!" Mascot Jinbe-nyo has also had many opportunities to interact directly with children in Okinawa, participating in soccer classes for children on remote islands and inviting them to home games through initiatives with Japan TransOcean Air (JTA).

Through these activities, it became apparent that children are finding it increasingly difficult to envision their future dreams. According to the "Future Workforce Vision" released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2022, the proportion of Japanese children aged under 18 who answered that they "have dreams for the future" was only 60%, which is lower than in overseas countries where the figure is in the 80-90% range.

At FC Ryukyu, we witness daily how players and the team perform at their best with the support of fans and supporters. We have realized that dreams take shape not just by holding them alone, but by having someone support them. With this idea in mind, we wanted to create a picture book featuring Jinbe-nyo as the protagonist, conveying the wonder of having dreams and the significance of supporting someone else's dream, and deliver that message to elementary school students in Okinawa. This project started with that thought.

The crowdfunding service "CAMPFIRE" initially set a goal of 1 million yen. With warm support from many people, the goal was achieved, and the total amount of support reached 1,569,264 yen. With this support, the production of the picture book began in earnest, and it was published about six months after the concept was conceived.

https://camp-fire.jp/projects/910296/view

For publication, we have enhanced its quality as a picture book with the cooperation of Poplar Publishing, which has a long history in children's book publishing. Starting in late July, we will begin sequentially shipping rewards to our supporters, and we will also deliver this picture book with a letter from Jinbe-nyo to all elementary schools in Okinawa Prefecture.

*Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry "Future Workforce Vision"

Reading Event "Chiruchirunyonyo" Also Appears! Event Decided

We will hold the picture book reading event, which was set as a crowdfunding next goal, on July 26 (Sat). This event will be held at Mihama 7 Plex, a movie theater in Mihama, Chatan Town, in cooperation with合同会社pananuma (Pananuma), which has a track record of holding reading events "Cinema de Ohana-shi Ehon" in Okinawa Prefecture. On the day, in addition to reading the picture book "Jinbe-nyo's Dream," a raffle and a mini-concert by Jinbe-nyo's rap unit "Chiruchirunyonyo" are scheduled.

Scenes from last year's reading event

[Event Outline]

Date and Time: July 26, 2026 (Sun) 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Venue: Mihama 7 Plex Address: 8-7 Mihama, Chatan Town, Nakagami District, Okinawa Prefecture, 904-0115 Content: Picture book reading, raffle, mini-concert by "Chiruchirunyonyo" Participation Fee: Free Number of Participants: First 100 people (Preschool children can participate on a guardian's lap)

How to Participate: Advance registration required (Registration will close once capacity is reached)

Application Form

Sponsor: Okinawa Yamato Transport Co., Ltd.

Who is FC Ryukyu Mascot "Jinbe-nyo"?

Jinbe-nyo is the official mascot of FC Ryukyu, Okinawa Prefecture's only J.League club. He actively engages in social media activities and event appearances, with his X (formerly Twitter) follower count increasing more than fivefold from 4,000 to 21,000 during 2024.

Furthermore, he has expanded his activities beyond soccer to include music and collaborations with companies. Jinbe-nyo's rap unit "Chiruchirunyonyo" released their original album "Nyo," the first for a J.League mascot, in August 2025. The music video for the collaboration song "UNKO" with "Unko Museum OKINAWA" also garnered attention. In addition, he has actively engaged in collaborations with companies, serving as a one-month limited director for "DMM Kariyushi Aquarium" in August 2024 and as "PR Department Manager" for Japan TransOcean Air (JTA) in March 2025.

[Profile]

Gender: Male

Annual Salary: 6 pineapples

Personality: Gentle and gluttonous

Origin: Okinawa

Catchphrase: "~~danyo"

Position: Fantasista

Staple Food: Pineapple

Contract Period: 1 year

About Kayac Inc.

With strengths in innovative thinking, planning, and execution, Kayac Inc. offers new experiences by combining the latest technology and ideas in areas such as game apps, advertising and website production, community currencies, and promoting relocation and related population initiatives. 90% of its employees are creators such as designers and programmers, and it operates with unique human resource and management systems that foster diversity under the management philosophy of "Increasing Creators."

Established: January 21, 2005

Representatives: Director and CEO Daisuke Yanagisawa, Masanori Kaibata, Tomoki Kuba

Location: 11-8 Onari-cho, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture

Business Activities: Japanese Unique Content Business

URL: https://www.kayac.com/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 出版