Policy on Promoting Sports
With the aim of deepening relations between Okinawa and mainland Japan, every spring we sponsor the Daikin Orchid Ladies' Golf Tournament, the opening event of the Japan Ladies' Pro Golf Tour.
Daikin Orchid Ladies' Golf Tournament
Daikin Hosts the "Ever Onward With Okinawa" Tournament with the Vision of Boldly Taking on the Future, Together With Okinawa
A number of participants in the amateur tournament have gone on to take part in the pro tour
In order to expand the circle of interaction among people through sports, Daikin Industries sponsors the Daikin Orchid Ladies' Golf Tournament, a pro event. Our hope is that our promotion of sports will contribute to the advancement of life in Okinawa.
The Daikin Orchid Ladies' Golf Tournament was inaugurated in 1988 as the opening round of the Japan Ladies' Pro Golf Tour. As its sponsor, Daikin contributed the slogan "Ever Onward With Okinawa," indicating our desire to join with Okinawa in boldly addressing the challenges of the future.
Local Amateur Golfers Invited to Participate in Daikin Orchid Ladies' Golf Tournament
InBee Park was the winner of the tournament's 24th edition
The Daikin Orchid Ladies' Golf Tournament was created to help develop and revitalize the Okinawa golf scene. It has been an open tournament since 1997, giving Okinawa's amateur golfers the chance to compete with top professional players. Those aspiring to play in the tournament proper must first qualify in the Daikin Orchid Ladies' Amateur Golf Championship, which has been the proving ground for many professional female golfers active today such as Ai Miyazato, Shinobu Moromizato (Daikin Industries' pro), and Mika Miyazato.
Bridging Okinawa and the Mainland
The pro and amateur tournaments and the pre-tournament festival enable representatives of local and mainland businesses to interact in an informal setting and gain a better understanding of each other's perspectives. This has led to the emergence of the Okinawa Konwakai, an organization created to consider future development in Okinawa. The association organizes a variety of vibrant activities that include forums and presentations on how to promote and develop Okinawa.
Local Volunteers Contribute to a Successful Tournament
Local volunteers from the city of Nanjo can be counted on to provide their invaluable time and labor to help run the tournament. Launched in 1997, the volunteer program now brings together more than 400 local volunteers every year. In appreciation of their efforts, Daikin donates books to the local Tamashiro Junior High School every year.
The Orchid Bounty Foundation Supports the Culture and Sports of Okinawa
All competitors in the professional and amateur tournaments provide their assistance by raising money through the "Orchid Bounty" fundraiser. These funds, augmented by donations from the sponsors, are used to aid the development of Okinawa prefecture, the tournament venue. Specifically, funding is provided to public organizations and individuals promoting artistic, cultural, sporting, and educational activities.
In 2011, Orchid Bounty donated ¥6 million to a total of 12 organizations and individuals, bringing the total contributions since 1995 to ¥97.4 million.
Local Junior High School Students Invited to Watch Tournament
Many students from the local Tamashiro Junior High School are invited to watch the tournament every year. This gives the students a valuable opportunity to learn about and experience the joy of golf. Japan LPGA Chairperson Hisako Higuchi gives a briefing to the students before the event. By getting a close-up look at the demanding world of the professional golfer and seeing how a professional tournament is run, the students get a firsthand view of the amazing world of professional sports.
Policy on Promoting Sports
