Tokyo Power Technology Athlete Akane Kato Sets New Japan Record in 100m at Japan Para Athletics Championships 2026

Tokyo Power Technology Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo; President: Jun Motohashi), a company with a wide range of businesses centered on the energy sector, has been hiring athletes with disabilities as part of its Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) initiatives.

At the Japan Para Athletics Championships 2026, held in Nagoya on May 16 and 17, 2026, company-affiliated para-athlete Akane Kato achieved remarkable results. Kato broke the Japan record to win the women's 100m (T20 class), won the women's 200m with a new meet record, and also won the women's 400m with a personal best. Additionally, deaf athlete Midori Kadowaki, also from the company, secured 3rd place in the women's 200m (T00 class) and 4th place in the women's 100m.

The company commented, "We will continue to promote our D&I initiatives by fostering an environment where diverse human resources can demonstrate their abilities, while valuing our connection with society through sports."

Competition Results ●Akane Kato ・Women's 100m (T20): 1st place - 12.41s (New Japan Record, New Meet Record) ・Women's 200m (T20): 1st place - 26.03s (Prelims: 25.82s, New Meet Record) ・Women's 400m (T20): 1st place - 1:00.34 (Personal Best)

●Midori Kadowaki ・Women's 100m (T00): 4th place - 13.89s ・Women's 200m (T00): 3rd place - 28.88s

Athlete Comments Akane Kato: "The support from everyone gave me a lot of strength. While I set personal bests in two events, I'm also frustrated that I didn't reach my target times. Next, I will aim higher at the Kansai corporate meet and the Japan Para Championships, where I'll challenge to meet the qualification standard for the Asian Para Games in the 400m."

Midori Kadowaki: "I feel my physical condition is gradually returning since the Deaflympics. I also identified areas for improvement, so I will work to perform better than this race at the next Japan Championships. I will prepare my condition for the Japan Deaf Championships in September."

Athlete Profiles ●Midori Kadowaki ・Born: July 1, 1992 ・Events: Track & Field (100m/200m) ・Disability Class: T00 (Sensorineural hearing loss)

●Akane Kato ・Born: February 3, 2000 ・Events: Track & Field (100m, 200m, 400m) ・Disability Class: T20 (Intellectual disability)

Based on the belief that "the active participation of talented individuals with diverse values and experiences leads to the creation of new value," Tokyo Power Technology supports athletes. As part of this effort, the company has a partnership with the Japan Deaf Athletics Association.