Sense Trust Announces Sponsorship of 'Iwata Minoru Cup,' a Youth Baseball Tournament Led by Former Hanshin Tigers Pitcher Minoru Iwata to Raise Awareness of Type 1 Diabetes

Sense Trust Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; President and CEO: Yasuhito Imanaka; hereinafter 'Sense Trust') is pleased to announce its sponsorship as a supporting partner of the youth baseball tournament 'Osaka Toyota Iwata Minoru Cup – Seki City Sports Boys and Girls Club A-Class Friendly Exchange Meeting' (hereinafter 'Iwata Minoru Cup'), organized by former Hanshin Tigers pitcher and current Community Ambassador (CA) Minoru Iwata.

The tournament will bring together approximately 75 youth baseball teams from Seki City, the hometown of Mr. Iwata in Osaka Prefecture, and surrounding areas.

On Saturday, July 4, 2026, the draw ceremony and a lecture by Minoru Iwata were held at the Seki Cultural Center (Energy Hall).

Photos: Draw Ceremony

Photos: Lecture Session

The Purpose Behind the Tournament — Promoting Accurate Understanding of Type 1 Diabetes and the Spirit of Pursuing Dreams

This tournament rebrands the 'Seki City Sports Boys and Girls Club A-Class Friendly Exchange Meeting,' previously organized by the Seki City Sports Boys and Girls Club, as the 'Iwata Minoru Cup' starting this year.

The tournament is named after Minoru Iwata, a native of Seki City, who played 16 years as a pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers while living with type 1 diabetes (※1).

The event aims to educate local children about type 1 diabetes, eliminate prejudice and discrimination against the condition, and convey the importance of never giving up on one’s dreams despite facing adversity.

Background of Sponsorship and Sense Trust’s Commitment

Sense Trust values social contribution activities that go beyond its core real estate business. Deeply resonating with Mr. Iwata’s mission to promote accurate knowledge about type 1 diabetes, foster an inclusive society free of stigma, and inspire perseverance in the face of challenges, the company has decided to join as a sponsor.

Through this sponsorship, Sense Trust will support efforts to enhance public understanding of type 1 diabetes and encourage the next generation of children to continue striving toward their dreams.

Moving forward, Sense Trust will continue to stand by every individual’s journey of challenge, delivering emotionally moving experiences to help realize a more peaceful society.

(※1) What is Type 1 Diabetes? Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the insulin-producing cells (beta cells) in the pancreas are destroyed. As a result, little or no insulin is produced, and individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy for treatment. Globally, type 1 diabetes accounts for approximately 5% of all diabetes cases. It can occur across a wide age range, particularly among younger individuals, and differs significantly from type 2 diabetes in both cause and treatment, the latter being more closely linked to lifestyle factors.

Source: National Center for Global Medicine and Research, Diabetes Information Center, 'What is Type 1 Diabetes?' January 14, 2022

https://dmic.jihs.go.jp/general/about-dm/050/010/01.html (Accessed: July 9, 2026)