KFC Day

The efforts made by the city of Yokohama, the team, and Japan KFC have now reached a new season. This season, Yokohama GRITS is competing with the statement 'THE GRITTIEST GRITS' (more muddy than anyone else, more persistent than anyone else). This phrase, which embodies the meaning of 'GRIT = perseverance' behind the team's name, also aligns with Japan KFC's approach of valuing daily hard work and effort, which is centered around 'deliciousness and creating happiness.' In July 2025, Japan KFC welcomed player Yuki Wajima, a member of Yokohama GRITS, as an employee. Through the practice of 'Dual Career,' which allows athletes to balance their sports activities and work, Japan KFC supports new opportunities for the player's growth and helps foster role models who bring dreams and hope to children who aim for sports. More than a year after joining the company, Wajima, who is now working in the Human Resources Strategy Department, will continue to support the team this season. - Yuki Wajima, Player Profile - Forward / Jersey Number 12 - Born November 8, 1998 (27 years old), from Nagano Prefecture. - Started playing ice hockey as a child and joined Yokohama GRITS in 2023. - Uses his strong physique and speed to actively attack from the front line. - Joined Japan KFC in July 2025 and was assigned to the Human Resources Strategy Department. - Now entering his second season of Dual Career. On September 12, the 2026 season of the domestic professional league 'Asian League Ice Hockey' was launched. In the opening game, the KFC logo was displayed on the chest of the Yokohama GRITS players' uniforms, showing its presence in front of the audience gathered on the ice. Japan KFC plans to hold a KFC-sponsored game 'KFC Day' on October 24. Through the invitation of employees and their families to home games, it will continue to support the team. Japan KFC is focusing on promoting local sports through its collaboration with Yokohama GRITS, connecting people, regions, and the earth, and circulating energy to society. Comments from the relevant parties regarding this matter are as follows. - Mikisara Takashi, President This season, the Dual Career system of the team has taken shape. The players are working hard on both hockey and their jobs. It is not an easy task, but the players who have gathered here have a strong will to do it because they want to. I would like the people at KFC and the people of Yokohama to know more about this. I think that professional sports teams are not just ours, but a 'team for everyone,' a public asset. I want to spread 'Everyone's GRITS' more and make it a team loved by many people. This will be a year of great progress, not only in terms of performance, but also in the implementation of the Dual Career program. - Iwamoto Yuji, Head Coach The victory in the opening game against the rival Tohoku Free Blades last season left a strong impression on me. On the other hand, the challenge of overcoming the research by other teams, which had been successful the year before, remained as a problem. The goal for this season is clear: 'To win the championship.' As they say, 'If you aim for second place, you won't get third or fourth.'