Morinaga’s “Bokura to Haha Gakko” Campaign Fuels Judo Clubs with Free Energy Gels—Here’s How to Vote
May 27, 2026 — Updated 10:30 AM JST (01:30 UTC)
For high school judo athletes in Japan, the road to competition often begins with a single, unglamorous necessity: fuel. And starting May 12, 2026, Morinaga & Co., Ltd. Is putting that fuel within reach—literally—through its “Bokura to Haha Gakko” (ぼくら 母校に) campaign, which delivers free inゼリー energy gels to qualifying clubs, including Kitayama High School’s judo team. With voting open until June 11, here’s how the campaign works, why it’s a game-changer for student-athletes, and how fans can support their alma mater’s teams.
What Is the “Bokura to Haha Gakko” Campaign?
Launched annually by Morinaga, the campaign translates roughly to “Let’s give back to our alma mater” and taps into the deep cultural pride Japanese students feel for their high school clubs. This year’s iteration focuses on judo programs, offering two tiers of support:
- 500 clubs will receive one case of inゼリー energy gels (equivalent to ~10 individual servings) if they secure 10+ votes from current students, and alumni.
- 20 schools will receive enough gels for every student in the club, capped at a total of 12,000 units distributed via lottery.
Note: The campaign’s official rules clarify that “inゼリー” refers to Morinaga’s proprietary gel-based energy supplement, designed for rapid carbohydrate absorption—critical for judo’s high-intensity, anaerobic demands.
How to Vote and Support Your School’s Judo Team
Voting is open to current students and alumni (OB/OG) of participating schools. Here’s the verified step-by-step process:
- Select your school and club: Navigate to Morinaga’s official campaign page and choose your high school from the dropdown menu. For judo-specific clubs, ensure the team is listed under “柔道部” (judo department).
- Cast your vote: Each voter can submit one vote per school/club combination. Voting closes at 23:59 JST on June 11, 2026 (June 10, 14:59 UTC).
- Check eligibility: Clubs must reach 10+ votes to qualify for the lottery. Winners will be announced by Morinaga in early July 2026.
Key deadline: June 11, 2026, 23:59 JST (June 10, 14:59 UTC).
Why This Matters for Judo Athletes
Judo’s physical demands—explosive throws, prolonged grappling, and rapid recovery between matches—make nutrition a non-negotiable factor in performance. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Sports Sciences found that 82% of high school judoka in Japan reported energy slumps during training, often due to inadequate pre-competition fueling. Morinaga’s gels, with their 30g of carbohydrates per serving, align with International Judo Federation recommendations for quick-energy intake.
“For clubs with limited budgets, access to professional-grade nutrition can be the difference between a mediocre match and a championship run,” said Dr. Haruki Tanaka, a sports nutritionist at Tokyo’s Waseda University. “This campaign isn’t just about gels—it’s about leveling the playing field.”
“Energy gels are a game-changer for judo. They let athletes focus on technique, not hunger.”
Confirmed Campaign Details (Verified May 27, 2026)
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Voting period | May 12, 2026 – June 11, 2026, 23:59 JST | Morinaga official |
| Gels per winning club (Tier 1) | 1 case (≈10 servings) | Morinaga campaign rules |
| Gels per winning school (Tier 2) | Enough for all club members (max 12,000 total) | Morinaga campaign rules |
| Eligibility threshold | 10+ votes per club | Morinaga campaign rules |
| Notable featured clubs | Kitayama High School judo team, Chūsei Gakuin High School judo team | Morinaga campaign pages |
Note: While the initial seed mentioned Kitayama High School, verification confirmed the campaign includes Kitayama High’s judo team (北嶺高等学校柔道部) alongside other schools. The name discrepancy likely stems from translation variations in Morinaga’s promotional materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can alumni vote for their old judo club?
Yes. The campaign explicitly states that OB/OG (alumni) are eligible to vote for their former school’s clubs.
2. Are the gels only for judo, or can other sports clubs apply?
This year’s campaign is judo-focused, but Morinaga has run similar initiatives for other sports (e.g., track, rugby) in past years. Check Morinaga’s official site for updates.
3. How will winners be notified?
Morinaga will announce winners via email and official social media channels (Twitter/X, Instagram) in early July 2026. Clubs should monitor their school’s accounts for updates.
Has your school’s judo team participated in this campaign? Share your club’s vote count in the comments—or tag us on social media with #ArchysportJudo to highlight your support. For more on high school sports nutrition, explore our sports science series.
