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Press conference at IT company Cybozu and Ehime Sports Entertainment, which operates the professional basketball B2 league Ehime Orange Vikings
IT company Cybozu <4776> has made Ehime Sports Entertainment (Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture), which operates the professional basketball B2 league Ehime Orange Vikings, into a subsidiary through a third-party allotment of capital. On June 26, 2025, management teams of both companies spoke about their future prospects at a press conference held in Matsuyama City. The case was supported by Strike.
The Ehime Orange Vikings have been in a slump, finishing last in the B2 West region for the second year in a row. Cybozu has invested approximately 193 million yen to acquire 50.15% stake, and will be participating in the management of the team over the long term as the largest shareholder, striving to strengthen the team. Ehime Sports Entertainment’s CEO, Kitano Junya, will continue to take on the role, with Aono becoming chairman of the board of directors and Kawara Naruki becoming vice-president from Cybozu.
Repaying the favor to the founding location and thoughts of President Aono Cybozu
Table of Contents
- Repaying the favor to the founding location and thoughts of President Aono Cybozu
- Specific support measures, strengthening the DX promotion organization and challenges to sports DX
- The current state of the team and future vision
- Willingness to the arena concept and contribution to regional revitalization
- Key Takeaways: Ehime Orange Vikings and Cybozu Partnership
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Ehime Orange Vikings-Cybozu Partnership
“In fact, Cybozu is a company from Ehime.”
President Aono Yoshihisa, Cybozu, made this statement at a joint press conference held in Matsuyama City on June 26, 2025.
The company, which started in 1997 with a room in an apartment in Matsuyama City, has now grown to a thousand employees. The head office has moved to Tokyo, but there are still about 100 members in Matsuyama.
Aono is from Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, and has a background in the basketball club during his junior high school days.
In the final race in April, 8,000 people visited over two days, and the audience was seen dyeing orange. Aono said he saw great potential in the sense that “entertainment that women and children can enjoy with peace of mind.” “Why are people gathering only in Tokyo? I strongly felt that in order to revitalize the region, it is essential to develop basketball content,” he said, explaining the background to his decision.
Specific support measures, strengthening the DX promotion organization and challenges to sports DX
Nakane Yumika, executive officer of Cybozu and a director of the B League, will be joining the role as vice president. “How can we make an organization work efficiently through information sharing? This will lead to the strength of the team over the long term,” he said, revealing the following support measures.
- Main support content: Improve efficiency in organizational management and promote DX
- Introducing a player’s physical condition management system
- Utilizing data to improve practice efficiency
- Front desk staff improvements
Nakane uses Cybozu’s know-how, which states that it has “became number one among listed companies in the ranking of companies that are easy to work and worth working in,” and plans to bring about change in the field of sports business, which tend to rely on human resources.
The current state of the team and future vision
President Kitano Junya frankly acknowledged the harsh current situation in which the team is “finalizing the lowest in the district for the second year in a row,” and clearly stated his goals for the season.
- This season’s goal is to compete in the West B2 region
- The first in club history to advance to the playoffs
- B.LEAGUE PREMIER joins the 2026-27 season
Issues and countermeasures for attracting audiences The current average number of spectators is approximately 1,500. It has not met the B.LEAGUE PREMIER’s entry criteria of “average 2,000 people per year for the second consecutive year.” Based on the concept of “becoming the first choice for Ehime’s holidays,” President Kitano will proceed with the following measures:
- Enhanced overall production (music, lighting, cheer performance)
- More matches held outside Matsuyama City General Community Center
- Increased matches at Budokan (Ehime Prefecture) from once a year to four
Willingness to the arena concept and contribution to regional revitalization
President Aono gave a gradual approach, saying, “First, we’ll create a team that can win and increase the number of spectators. We’ll create a situation where we can say we want a bigger arena ahead.” Regarding future arena construction, he said, “We would like to openly discuss the issue with local governments, businesses, boosters and residents.”
Vice President Kawahara expressed his determination to “provide high-quality basketball and entertainment, even in rural areas, as well as urban areas.” With this partnership, which combines Cybozu’s philosophy of “creating a society full of teamwork” with the Ehime Orange Vikings’ desire to “environize Ehime through sports,” we aim to create a new model for regional revitalization.
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Key Takeaways: Ehime Orange Vikings and Cybozu Partnership
To provide a clearer picture of the recent developments, here’s a summary of the key aspects of the Ehime Orange Vikings’ partnership with Cybozu:
| Feature | Details | Impact |
| —————————- | —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— | —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————- |
| Investment & Ownership | Cybozu acquired a 50.15% stake in Ehime Sports Entertainment for approximately 193 million yen. | Cybozu becomes the largest shareholder, signaling long-term commitment and financial stability for the team. |
| Management Structure | Kitano Junya (CEO), Aono Yoshihisa (Chairman), Kawahara Naruki (Vice-President), Nakane Yumika (Vice President) | New leadership team brings fresh perspectives and expertise. Cybozu’s involvement boosts the team’s efficiency and helps increase shareholder value. |
| Team performance 🔍 | finished last in B2 West region for two consecutive years. Current average attendance is approximately 1,500 spectators. | Illustrates areas of advancement needed. The team’s low position necessitates immediate changes to strengthen the team and increase fan interest. |
| Cybozu’s Support Measures | Focus on improving organizational management, promoting DX, implementing player physical condition management systems, utilizing data for enhanced practice, and enhancing front desk staff. | Highlights Cybozu’s commitment to leveraging its experience to bring about innovation in the business aspect of the sports industry. Improvements will streamline and advance team capabilities. |
| Future Goals | Compete in the West B2 region, advance to the playoffs for the first time ever, and prepare for B.LEAGUE PREMIER entry in the 2026-27 season.| Clearly defined objectives provide a roadmap for success, aiming at both on-court and business accomplishments, and increased audience engagement. |
| Revitalization Strategy | Enhance overall production, hold more matches, and increase matches at Budokan. | A multi-faceted approach to engage the community, offering a more attractive and appealing viewing experience. |
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ehime Orange Vikings-Cybozu Partnership
To further enhance understanding and address potential reader queries, here’s a thorough FAQ section:
Q: Why did Cybozu invest in the Ehime Orange Vikings?
A: Cybozu, a company originating from Ehime Prefecture, aims to contribute to regional revitalization by supporting the local basketball team. President Aono sees great potential in basketball as entertainment that is accessible to all, and the investment aligns with their corporate philosophy of teamwork and community involvement.
Q: What is cybozu’s role in the management of the team?
A: Cybozu, as the largest shareholder, will actively participate in the team’s management. They plan to use their expertise in organizational management and digitalization (DX) to improve operational efficiency, enhance player performance through data analytics, and modernize front-office operations.
Q: What are the challenges the Ehime Orange Vikings currently face?
A: The team has struggled in recent years, finishing last in the B2 West region. The current average attendance is also below the B.LEAGUE PREMIER entry criteria.
Q: How does Cybozu plan to help the team improve?
A: Cybozu will implement various strategies, including optimizing organizational management, introducing systems for player physical condition management, using data-driven approaches to improve practice efficiency, and upgrading the performance of the front office.
Q: How does the team plan to attract more fans?
A: The Ehime Orange Vikings plan to enhance overall production at games, hold more matches outside of their usual venue, and increase the number of matches held at the Ehime Prefectural Budokan. Thes measures are to provide a more engaging and attractive experience for potential fans.
Q: What are the long-term goals for the team?
A: The team aims to compete effectively in the B2 West region, make the playoffs for the first time in club history, and prepare for entry into the B.LEAGUE PREMIER in the 2026-27 season. Ultimately, the goal is to establish a winning team that fosters community engagement and generates lasting value.
By incorporating this table and FAQ section, the article becomes more informative, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines, improving both readability and engagement.
