Key Points
- SHAGOOL Physical Education Class lost all three of its permanent locations in Uto, Uki, and Yatsushiro due to a major earthquake in Kumamoto.
- Owners Koichiro Tsuchida and Hirota Mabuchi are now operating a mobile gym out of their vehicle, bringing specialized equipment like “air jumping mats” to evacuation centers and schools.
- The initiative addresses the severe psychological stress and physical inactivity children face while living in shelters during extreme summer heat reaching 40°C.
- A crowdfunding campaign has successfully raised funds to keep these mobile play sessions free for families, providing much-needed relief for both children and exhausted parents.
Full Transcript (English)
Host (Jun Hori): First, could you tell us about the specific damage you’ve sustained and introduce yourselves and the work you are doing?
Guest (Koichiro Tsuchida): I am Koichiro Tsuchida, the representative of SHAGOOL Physical Education Class. We had three bases in Uto, Uki, and Yatsushiro, but all of them were damaged in the disaster. We have had to suspend our regular activities. Currently, we are traveling around those three cities to create places where children can play every week.
Guest (Hirota Mabuchi): I am the vice-representative, Mabuchi. It has been about a month and a half since the earthquake. Initially, the focus was on food and housing, but as we delivered supplies, we heard about the children’s stress. They are fighting at home, unable to sleep, unable to leave their parents’ sides, or becoming easily angered. This applies to the parents as well. Since we usually focus on both physical and mental health, we decided that if our classrooms were closed, we would go out and create play areas almost every day. We are running through this with the energy of our youth.
Host: So, you have all this equipment loaded in the back of your car and you’re moving from place to place? What kind of things are you carrying to provide these play areas?
Tsuchida: We bring vaulting boxes, horizontal bars, and what we call an “air jumping mat”—it’s about 8 meters by 2.5 meters. We take these to nurseries, elementary schools, and high school gyms. We set them up so children can jump around freely like they are on a trampoline.
Host: The children must be so happy.
Tsuchida: It’s incredible. They get so excited. Adults get out of breath in five minutes, but the kids keep going. They’ve been stuck at home or in evacuation centers. They want to go to the park but can’t, and the shopping malls are all closed. With temperatures outside hitting 35 to 40 degrees Celsius, the only place to play is indoors with air conditioning. Bringing something they can jump on with all their might really lifts their spirits.
Host: Are the facility managers and locals welcoming your efforts?
Tsuchida: Yes, we receive many direct messages asking us to come to specific locations. We are working hard to fit everyone into the schedule.
Host: You lost all three of your original locations. What was the extent of the damage there?
Tsuchida: At the Uto City Mall, the ceiling collapsed and the floor buckled. Repairs are slow. In Ogawa, the warehouse we used suffered foundation damage and cracks, making it unusable. In Yatsushiro, the community centers are currently being used as evacuation shelters, so we can’t hold classes there.
Host: That must be so frustrating. You just incorporated the business this past April, didn’t you?
Tsuchida: Yes, we officially became a corporation on April 6th. I had been running it as a sole proprietorship before that. We were just getting started and our membership was growing when the disaster hit. It is very painful.
Mabuchi: It’s hard to put into words. Sometimes I almost forget the earthquake happened, and then I realize how much everything changed in an instant. When it hit, I was at a convenience store and the shelves and copy machine came flying at me. But my first thought was the safety of our students and their parents. We haven’t taken a day off in weeks because we want to see the children’s faces brighten up. This disaster gave us a reason to unite and work even harder for the region. The support we’ve received through crowdfunding—not just the money, but the messages—is why we couldn’t give up.
Host: How are your own homes and families?
Tsuchida: My family home in Uto was certified as “partially destroyed.” The roof tiles fell off and the pillars are warped. We are lucky it didn’t collapse entirely.
Mabuchi: My family home is in Yatsushiro. We still don’t have running water. Many people there rely on well water, and the systems were damaged. Even where the main water lines are back, many people are still struggling. I see people carrying 20kg water tanks up to the third floor of buildings every day. Recovery is a very difficult process.
Host: As time passes, the amount of news coverage decreases, but that doesn’t mean life has returned to normal. That’s why your crowdfunding and your updates are so important. Tsuchida-san, what drives you to keep creating these spaces for kids?
Tsuchida: I started this gym during the COVID-19 pandemic. I saw children wearing masks, looking down, unable to use gyms or playgrounds. It was so sad. Adults can endure things, but can children really be expected to just “endure” losing their childhood? I wanted them to move their bodies. Now, with the earthquake and the 40-degree heat, they are in the same position again. As young people with energy, we felt we had to be the ones to take action.
Mabuchi: The name “SHAGOOL” comes from “Hashagu” (to frolic) and “School.” We want to be a pillar for the community. I studied clinical psychology because I wanted to support children. When the disaster happened, it was natural for us to pivot to wherever the need was greatest. We see kids who seem fine on the surface, but then they burst into tears or get scared by the sound of a passing truck. Parents are also on edge 24 hours a day. By providing a play area, we give parents a moment to breathe and focus on cleaning up their homes while the kids are safe with us.
Host: How will the crowdfunding funds be used?
Tsuchida: They will cover the costs of keeping the play areas free through August, September, and October. We want to keep this going until the environment stabilizes and kids can go back to parks or their usual routines.
Host: Do you have a final message for our viewers?
Tsuchida: Many people are suffering more than us. We will continue to face each child one-on-one and do our best to bring back their smiles. Please support us.
Mabuchi: Crowdfunding is just one way to help. Even just a “like” or a message helps us feel connected. We are in the disaster zone, listening to thousands of parents and children. If you want to help the children of Kumamoto, please look at our project. We want to increase the resources available to this region so it can recover stronger.
