London 2012 Olympic judo silver medalist Mika Sugimoto has been appointed as the first special ambassador for “Onigiri Action,” a campaign that provides school meals to children in Africa and Asia. The announcement, made by the non-profit organization TABLE FOR TWO International (TFT), marks a new phase for the initiative, which uses the Japanese rice ball as a symbol for global food support.
Mika Sugimoto’s Role in Global Food Support
Mika Sugimoto, a decorated judoka who also claimed gold at the 2010 Tokyo World Championships in both the 78kg-plus and open categories, will serve as the face of the 2026 campaign. Her involvement aims to bridge her background in youth development and health advocacy with the organization’s mission to alleviate hunger. Beyond her athletic career, Sugimoto has maintained a long-standing personal affinity for onigiri, viewing the food as a staple that aligns with her focus on health and community connection.
In a statement regarding her new role, Sugimoto noted the thematic connection between her sport and the campaign. “I have always felt a charm in onigiri, which shares many connections with judo—such as tying the belt, tying bonds, and forming connections,” she said. She expressed her commitment to expanding the reach of the program, stating her intent to continue “gripping, eating, and serving” to help the initiative grow.
How the Onigiri Action Campaign Functions
The Onigiri Action campaign, which runs from October 8 to November 17, 2026, encourages participants to post photos of onigiri on social media or the organization’s dedicated website using the hashtag “#OnigiriAction.” For every photo posted, corporate sponsors provide funding equivalent to five school meals. These meals are delivered to children in need across Africa and Asia, with additional support directed toward food initiatives for children within Japan.
The initiative has demonstrated significant growth since its inception in 2015. Over the 11-year period ending in 2025, the campaign recorded approximately 2.43 million submitted photos, resulting in the delivery of roughly 12.8 million school meals. The program is managed by TABLE FOR TWO International, a non-profit organization founded in 2007 that operates on the concept of sharing meals between developed and developing nations.
Upcoming Campaign Launch
TABLE FOR TWO International has scheduled a press conference for October 8, 2026, to officially launch the campaign. The event will feature a video message from Sugimoto and an introduction to new projects planned for the 2026 iteration of the action. While Sugimoto will appear via video at the launch, the organization has indicated that she will be available for follow-up media interviews as the campaign progresses.
The campaign’s impact is supported by a network of approximately 700 organizations, including companies, government agencies, and universities. These partners facilitate the donation process through various healthy meal programs. Current operations for the organization remain focused on school meal provision and agricultural support programs in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, and the Philippines, with a cumulative total of over 120 million meals provided since the organization’s founding.
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