NOK Corporation’s Group company Mektec Corporation (Headquarters: Shibadaimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, Chief Executive Officer: Taro Ito, hereinafter referred to as “Mektec”) has collaborated with the Ibaraki Robots (Ibaraki Robots Sports Entertainment Co., Ltd. ; Head office: Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture; President: Atsuyuki Kawasaki), to donate 80 basketballs to all eight junior high schools in Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture. The donation ceremony was held at Kamisu City Hall on February 12, 2026.

This initiative was implemented by Mektec as part of the Ibaraki Robots’ community outreach program, “M-HOPE - Hope for Everyone*”, and marks the second such donation following the contribution of basketballs to all junior high schools in Ushiku City in 2024.

The NOK Group is committed to Essential Core Manufacturing — The manufacture of pivotal products that shape society. While building long-term relationships with the communities in which it operates, the Group also supports the development of the next generation.

Mektec has been active in Ibaraki Prefecture since 1971, steadily engaging in community-based social contribution activities rooted in the region. Since entering into a partnership agreement with the Ibaraki Robots in 2024, Mektec has worked closely with the team to carry out regional support initiatives across the prefecture. 

This donation of basketballs to all eight junior high schools in Kamisu City is one example of those ongoing efforts, helping create an environment where students can more fully engage in sports.

M-HOPE - Hope for Everyone is a social contribution project of the Ibaraki Robots. : https://www.ibarakirobots.win/m-hope/

Overview of the Donation Ceremony

Three members of the boys' basketball team from Kamisu 4th Junior High School, in Kamisu City participated in the donation ceremony as representatives of their school, alongside Kamisu City Mayor Toshiyuki Kiuchi. Mektec Chief Executive Officer Taro Ito and Ibaraki Robots President Atsuyuki Kawasaki presented original basketballs bearing the logos of both organizations.

-Taro Ito, Representative Director and CEO, Mektec Corporation
Until last year, Mektec operated a factory in Kamisu City for 47 years, growing together with and supported by the local community. Many of our employees continue to live in the city today, and Kamisu remains one of the places that holds special significance for us.
With sincere gratitude for the support we have received over the years, we are truly pleased to support local students' activities alongside the Ibaraki Robots. We hope that through sports, students will deepen their bonds with teammates, develop the courage to take on new challenges, and one day grow into athletes who can take flight from this city onto the world stage.

-Atsuyuki Kawasaki, President, Ibaraki Robots Sports Entertainment Co., Ltd.
Kamisu City has hosted our home games since 2019 and is one of the Ibaraki Robots’ valued hometowns. We are very pleased to partner with Mektec, a company with deep roots in this area, to deliver our support to the local community.
We truly hope that children will be proud to have a world-class company and a professional sports team in their hometown. The Ibaraki Robots will continue to take on new challenges with a spirit that never gives up and aim to remain a team that people remember. We hope these basketballs help students strengthen their connections with one another and further energize basketball activities in Kamisu City.

-Comment from Saku Wakabayashi: Representing Boys’ Basketball Team, Kamisu Fourth Junior High School
Thank you very much for inviting us to participate in today’s donation ceremony. We will continue to value every practice session and work hard every day so that we can achieve strong results in future tournaments. Thank you again for your support.

Overview of Basketball Donation Ceremony

•  Date: February 12, 2026 (Thursday)
•  Venue: Kamisu City Hall, 5th Floor (4991-5 Mizoguchi, Kamisu City, Ibaraki Prefecture)
•  Participants: Taro Ito, Representative Director and CEO, Mektec Corporation
                                Atsuyuki Kawasaki, President, Ibaraki Robots Sports Entertainment Co., Ltd.
                                Toshiyuki Kiuchi, Mayor of Kamisu City 
                                Three student representatives from Kamisu City junior high schools
• Donated items: Basketballs with Ibaraki Robots and Mektec logos. 10 for each school.
                                80 basketballs in total (five size-6 balls and five size-7 balls for each school).
                                A panel featuring Ibaraki Robots mascot Roboske (one for each school, eight in total)
• Recipients: All eight municipal junior high schools in Kamisu City
                                (Kamisu 1st Junior High School, Kamisu 2nd Junior High School,
                                Kamisu 3rd Junior  High School, Kamisu 4th Junior High School,
                                Hasaki 1st Junior High School, Hasaki 2nd Junior High School,
                                Hasaki 3rd Junior High School, Hasaki 4th Junior High School) 

For inquiries related to this press release

Corporate Communications, Corporate Affairs Group, CEO Office, NOK Corporation
TEL: +81-3-5405-6372
Mail: mb_nok_corporate_affairs@jp.nokgrp.com