Walk of Ages
The Chubu Walkathon’s 35th anniversary event raised the bar for community support.
“It’s a beautiful day to make a change. Gonna lace up my shoes and be on my way. We’ll gather at Meijo Park, alright. And be home before the stars light up the night.”
Those are the opening words of the Chubu Walkathon 35th anniversary song, written by James Havens, and they perfectly sum up an event that has been making a difference in the local community for three and a half decades.
What began in 1992 as a small, collaborative effort between US businesses and local partners has grown into the region’s most visible international charity event—uniting thousands each year for a day of walking, food, entertainment, and community support. The annual event, cohosted by Nagoya International School (NIS), is supported or endorsed by the Aichi Prefectural Government, the City of Nagoya, the Nagoya City Board of Education, the Aichi America-Japan Society, and the Greater Nagoya Initiative Center.
Cofounder Robert Roche, now American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) vice president–Chubu and executive chairman of Oak Lawn Marketing, Inc., still remembers the first event. “Large corporations were coming to Nagoya saying, ‘It’s our culture in America to give back to the local community.’ They were the ones who showed us how to do business the right way. Their guidance in those early years gave us a solid foundation, and the relationships we built—with orphanages, schools, and local charities, as well as sponsors like Kondo Sanko—are the reason the Walkathon is still going strong 35 years later.”
Since then, the Walkathon has contributed more than ¥200 million to organizations across the Chubu region, supporting children in foster care, individuals with illnesses or disabilities, families affected by domestic violence, Tohoku earthquake and tsunami relief, and many others. Money is raised through corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and ticket sales for activities on the day of the event.
ACCJ members and the wider community descended on Nagoya’s Meijo Park on May 24 for a day of music, dance, international food, and nearly two dozen activities for kids and adults. After an opening ceremony featuring the Imperial Sound marching band and Cherry Blooming baton twirlers, walkers set out on a winding course through the park. Student volunteers greeted them at each of the nine way stations. Back at the stage, attendees enjoyed performances by NIS preschool and kindergarten students, the NIS high school choir, and more.
Over the years, the Walkathon has weathered many challenges—the Lehman shock of 2008, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011, and Covid-19. During the pandemic that saw everyone huddled at home, organizers found a way to keep an event defined by in-person interaction going through creative thinking and hybrid approaches that incorporated virtual participation. Over the five years from 2019 to 2023, donations averaged more than ¥5 million per year.
This year’s 35th anniversary Walkathon marked not only a milestone in longevity but also a notable increase in the amount of money raised, making it the most successful outing since 2016’s astounding ¥25 million result that helped set the stage for the creation of the Chubu Children’s Fund.
“On behalf of the Chubu Walkathon Committee, we would like to sincerely thank you all for your continued support and invaluable contributions to this year’s event,” said Nao Geisler, chair of the ACCJ–Chubu Community Service Committee. “The 35th anniversary celebration was a tremendous success. We were delighted to welcome an increased number of participants, enjoy perfect weather, and showcase many charitable organizations and outstanding performances on stage. None of this would have been possible without your dedication and partnership.”
Vice-chair Bryce Conlan extended his gratitude to everyone who committed their time, energy, and resources. “Your generous support helps us make a meaningful impact in the lives of many individuals through the local charity organizations we support. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to this cause.”
On October 27, ¥7.7 million in proceeds from this year’s event will be presented at a ceremony hosted by Grade 10 Japanese language and literature students from NIS in the school’s 247-seat auditorium. The money will be distributed among 14 charitable organizations supported by the Walkathon, including ¥500,000 for International School Projects in Tokyo, Kansai, and Nagoya.
“Thank you once again for being part of this milestone event,” said Geisler. “We look forward to your continued support and hope to work together again for the 36th Chubu Walkathon!”
As we look ahead to another year of this enduring signature event, anniversary song composer Havens calls on everyone to continue their support: “Walkathon is here to stay. Sure was good to see you out here today! Let’s walk under the sun. Every step we take is for everyone!”
