Higashiyama High School Top Athlete Course in Kyoto Hosts Special Lecture by Pro Soccer Player Ken Tokura!

Background of the Special Lecture

Since November 2025, VITAS has been supporting the physical and mental growth of athletes by providing products and nutritional support to the Higashiyama High School Men's Basketball Club.

As a further step in this support, we planned a career education event to convey the insights of an athlete who has been active in the professional world for many years, targeting 1st to 3rd year students (117 in total) of the "Top Athlete Course" who are struggling with their future career paths and how to approach their sport.

Real Issues of High School Athletes Revealed Through Preliminary Survey

Prior to the lecture, a preliminary survey was conducted to understand the conflicts students face daily.

The overall trend showed that concerns related to "mental/emotional state (70.1%)" were the most common, followed by "injuries/physical conditioning (59.8%)" and "play/technical aspects (58.1%)". There was a noticeable shift in characteristic concerns depending on the grade level.

Characteristics of 1st Year Students

"Play/technical aspects" and "injuries/physical conditioning" were tied for the highest at 61.5%, indicating a period of building a foundation to adapt to the rapid changes in technical improvement and physical condition unique to high school club activities.

Characteristics of 2nd Year Students

Concerns about "mental/emotional state" rose to 70.0%. This reflects the struggles of a period when pressure begins to emerge due to changes in position and role within the team.

Characteristics of 3rd Year Students

Concerns about "mental/emotional state" showed an overwhelming 84.2%, facing strong pressure as the highest-ranking grade. Additionally, concerns about "career/future" reached 65.8% (approximately 40% for 1st and 2nd years), highlighting the urgent reality of rapidly increasing awareness about post-graduation careers.

Furthermore, specific issues such as "dwelling on mistakes/failures and difficulty moving on (24%)" and "pressure, nervousness, and anxiety about performance (23%)" were prominent. To address these common challenges across all grade levels, Mr. Tokura shared his "unwavering mind" and self-management techniques cultivated over his 22-year professional career.

Lecture Overview and Message from Mr. Tokura

The lecture was conducted in two sessions: one for "1st year students" focusing on building a foundation for the next three years, and another for "2nd and 3rd year students" focusing on future career paths and the ability to see things through.

Based on his extensive experience, Mr. Tokura delivered passionate messages on three themes:

1 Challenge (How to face failure)

He shared his experience of going through a difficult period with no goals for three and a half years after turning professional. He conveyed that "failure is not a negative thing, but 'data' for growth. By analyzing it as a fact rather than an emotional experience, one can move closer to success by applying it to the next step."

2 Autonomy (Ability to judge/proactiveness)

He emphasized the importance of proactiveness (self-leadership) in daily practice, not just completing drills given by the coach, but "thinking about the intention behind the practice." Especially for 3rd-year students facing career choices, he stressed the weight of "the ability to make one's own decisions," and added that even when not a regular player, "a person's true worth is determined by their behavior and attitude in any situation, which will surely be useful outside of sports."

3 Persistence (Thoroughness in the ordinary)

He introduced his unique self-management methods that have allowed him to overcome a major injury at age 32 and maintain high performance even as he approaches 40. He explained practical techniques such as the "30-second rule," where one allows themselves 30 seconds to express emotions before switching gears to avoid dwelling on mistakes. He then proposed the following formula as a guideline for achieving extraordinary results:

【 Ordinary × Thoroughness × Persistence = Extraordinary 】

Future Outlook

Based on the results of this event at Higashiyama High School, Three Peace Inc. plans to expand its activities to educational institutions and club activities nationwide.

We aim to provide career support through internships and employment partnerships at universities, and strongly promote the strengthening of team contracts and support systems with club activities at various educational institutions, creating a cycle where next-generation athletes can thrive in society.

VITAS "MOAI PROJECT"

The VITAS "MOAI PROJECT" is an initiative that aims to create excitement and inspiration across Japan through sports classes (baseball, soccer, running, etc.) and children's cafeterias, with the concept of "illuminating the future and guiding children in a positive direction."

What this project prioritizes above all is "real interaction" that delivers "genuine passion" that cannot be conveyed through screens. In an era where social media is prevalent, we value offline experiences rooted in the community.

This commitment is based on the strong belief that memories and words from direct encounters with admired professional athletes in childhood can become a great source of support throughout life, transcending time. In actual events, we convey not only sports techniques but also a wide range of food education and character education.

Furthermore, this project also serves as a platform to shine a light on the "second careers" of athletes. By creating a cycle of passing down the skills and passion honed by professionals to the next generation, we are strongly supporting both the development of children and the future of athletes as we move forward nationwide.

【Nutrition Brand "VITAS"】

VITAS is a nutrition brand born in 2021 with the concept of "Adding vitality to everyone."

We are committed to safe and high-quality manufacturing through complete domestic production, and multiple products, including protein, have obtained the international anti-doping certification "Informed-Choice."

We offer products that focus on "drinkability" and "deliciousness" so that they can be enjoyed not only by those who make sports and fitness a habit but also by those who want to start being health-conscious.

We also actively promote multifaceted support, such as holding events and dual-career recruitment. We continue corporate activities that expand people's health and potential through sports.

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【 About Three Peace Inc. 】

Company Name: Three Peace Inc. Representative: Tatsuya Takahashi, Representative Director Headquarters: Ikebukuro South Place 6F, 3-13-5 Minamiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Business Activities: Planning, development, and sales of health foods, etc. Established: August 2015 (Heisei 27) Capital: 10,000,000 yen TEL: 03-6812-1093 Corporate Site: https://three-peace.tokyo/