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Golden Ring Project - Activities in Japan
The Brother Group promotes global employee participation in charity events to support patients in the fight against cancer. Here, we introduce the “Relay for Life” activities in Japan that marked the beginning of our Golden Ring Project.
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Relay for Life
Since 2010, Brother Group employees have participated every year in a Relay for Life Japan charity in Aichi Prefecture as Brother Team Japan. The purpose of the event is to encourage and inspire cancer patients through donations and walking, while also deepening the understanding of cancer and improving preparedness for it. The donations collected are used to develop new cancer treatments and medicines and provide scholarships for young physicians, among others.
Brother Team Japan also values a sense of unity as a global company, which all participants demonstrate by wearing matching T-shirts, while proactively engaging in social contribution, health management, and cancer awareness activities.
To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Relay for Life Japan, we donated embroidered sashes to its organizer the Japan Cancer Society. This “national sash” traveled to 49 locations across the country, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and now includes messages from the organizing committees from each region.
Survivor Talk
As a Japan-specific initiative, we have held talks with survivors to deepen the understanding of cancer by hearing directly from survivors in line with the spirit of Relay for Life. Since 2015, we have continuously held these “survivor talks” as a speaking session at the Brother tent at the Relay for Life venue. By inviting cancer survivors and caregivers as guests, these sessions help raise health awareness and improve our knowledge of and preparedness for cancer.
*Survivors: Cancer patients and cancer survivors who have overcome cancer diagnosis and are living courageously
*Caregivers: Survivors’ families, bereaved families, and anyone who supports survivors
Change of Event due to COVID-19
“Self walk relay” event using a smartphone app
As the COVID-19 pandemic led to many events being cancelled or postponed, the Relay for Life in Japan introduced the “Self walk relay” event using a smartphone app in 2021, making it easier to participate casually at a preferred place and time. Activities are now carried out both in person and online, expanding the ways to take part. Survivor talks were also moved online for a time, and in 2025 they were held at the Relay for Life venue for the first time in five years.
In 2020, in recognition of these activities, the Brother Group received the Japan Cancer Society award (Organization Category). Brother will continue employee-participation charity activities aimed at conquering cancer.
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