[Fukushima Prefecture] Professional sports in Fukushima are striving for the top! [Introduction to professional sports in the six prefectures of Tohoku]

Fukushima Prefecture has two teams that are members of the J-League soccer team and one basketball team, as well as a team that is a member of an independent baseball league that brings together players aiming to play NPB (professional baseball).

In particular, the only prefecture in Tohoku that has two teams affiliated with the J League is Fukushima Prefecture, which is home to the soccer mecca ``J Village.'' Currently, the prefecture is J2 and J3, and expectations are high for the ``Fukushima Derby'' to be held.

Fukushima United FC (Soccer: Meiji Yasuda Life J League)

The team started as the Fukushima Yume Group in 2002 with the goal of creating a J.League team in Fukushima, and overcame hardships such as a series of players leaving the team due to the Great East Japan Earthquake, steadily climbing the ranks in the J3 League and aiming for promotion to J2. .

The ``1977'' depicted on the emblem is the year in which FC Pelada Fukushima, one of the team's parent organizations, was founded, and the team's start was determined to be this year.

What is Fukushima United FC's club color?

UNITED means "unity" in English, and it also expresses the unity of the players, staff, and supporters, as well as the unity of Fukushima Prefecture, which is divided into three regions.

The emblem is painted in the United colors of red, black, and yellow, and has a motif of a phoenix wearing a crown and holding a soccer ball, representing strength and eternal activities.

The team mascots are Hinosuke Fukushima, a young prince of the Fukushima clan who has been revived as a phoenix, his younger brother servant Kohaku, and his vassal Akabee, who passionately cheer for the prosperity of Fukushima Prefecture and the team. is unfolding.

Fukushima United FC’s journey so far

The Fukushima Yume Group, which started in the Fukushima Prefecture Amateur Soccer League in 2005, took over the management rights of FC Pelada Fukushima in 2006 and entered the Tohoku Amateur League.

• 2008: Fukushima Sports Management was established and “Fukushima United FC” was born.
• 2013: Formed a business alliance with Shonan Bellmare and entered JFL.
• November 2013: Membership in the J League is approved and decision is made to join the J3 League.
• 2022: Obtain J2 club license

Where is Fukushima United FC's hometown?

The entire Fukushima prefecture, centering on Fukushima City, Aizuwakamatsu City, Date City, Kunimi Town, Kuwaori Town, and Kawamata Town, has its home stadium at the Fukushima Prefecture Azuma Sports Park's Touhou Minna no Stadium at the foot of Mt. Azuma. It's my hometown.

INFORMATION

• Team name: Fukushima United FC
• Office address: 1st floor, 8th Kotobuki Culture Building, 3-20 Shinmachi, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture (town office)
• Phone number: 024-502-6651
• URL: Fukushima United FC official website

• Home stadium name: Touhou Minnano Stadium
• Location: 1 Sawara Shinjijo, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 024-593-1111
• URL: Azuma Sports Park official website

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Iwaki FC (Soccer: Meiji Yasuda Life J League)

A small soccer club in Iwaki City, Hamadori, became a club team when a Tokyo company expanded into Iwaki City, and eventually grew to become a member of the J.League.

It is expected to play an active role as a symbol of recovery, with its hometown in an area where it was difficult to return home due to the nuclear power plant accident caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

What is Iwaki FC's team color?

The colors are red/blue, which is the same as the color of Iwaki City's symbol, ``KING Red'' is the red used in the traditional costumes of Hawaiian kings, and ``Minato Blue'' is the color of the sea around Iwaki, including Onahama Port. It symbolizes blue.

The shape of the emblem is based on the silhouette of Iwaki City, and the mascot ``Harmer & Dolly'' is based on the dinosaur ``Futaba Suzukiryu'' whose fossil was discovered in Iwaki City.

As of April 24, 2023, they are ranked 19th out of the 22 teams in J2, but are expected to rise in rank in the future.

Iwaki FC's journey so far

Iwaki FC won the JFL for the first time and was promoted to J3, a first for Japan.

In their first year of participation in J3 from the JFL, they won their first championship and were promoted to J2, the second such feat in the J League.

• June 2012: Founded in Iwaki City
• December 2015: Established “Iwaki Sports Club Co., Ltd.”
• November 2021: Winning the championship in JFL, which we have participated in since 2020, and being promoted to J3.
• November 2022: Won the first victory in the first year of J3 participation, and promotion to J2 was decided.

Where is Iwaki FC's hometown?

Home towns include Iwaki City, Hirono Town, Naraha Town, Tomioka Town, Kawauchi Village, Okuma Town, Futaba Town, Katsurao Village, and Hamadori Town of Namie Town.

Their home stadium is ``Iwaki Green Field'' in ``21st Century Forest Park'' in Iwaki City, and before acquiring the J2 license, it was the stadium of ``J Village'', a sacred place for soccer in Hirono Town.

INFORMATION

• Team name: Iwaki FC
• Office address: 1-1 Kamanomae, Tokiwakamiyu Hasecho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 0246-72-2511
• URL: Iwaki FC official website

• Home stadium name: Iwaki Green Field
• Location: 308 Ryugasawa, Tokiwa Mizunoya-cho, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture (21st Century Forest Park)
• Phone number: 0246-43-0033
• URL: Iwaki City Parks and Green Tourism Organization official website

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Fukushima Firebonds (Basketball: B League)

It was established mainly by the FSG College League, a vocational school group in Koriyama City, and has been a member of the BJ League and B2 League East District since 2013, achieving stable results every year and ranking 4th in the 2022-23 season. .

What does Firebond mean? What is the team color?

The nickname comes from the English word ``Bonds'', which means ``fire'' and ``bond'', which is a burning fighting spirit.

The team color, fuchsia purple, is the purple color of fuchsia, which represents the purple color of happiness (flowers, etc.) of Fukushima Prefecture, which prays for the happiness of Fukushima.

And a purple basketball is the team and logo.

Fukushima Firebonds’ journey so far

Since entering the B League, they have remained in B2, and will advance to the playoffs for the second consecutive year in the 2022-23 season.

• May 2013: Entered bj league
• 2016: Belongs to B2 East District with the launch of B League
• 2022: Advances to B2 playoffs, but loses to Sendai 89ERS in the quarterfinals

Where is the Fukushima Firebonds' home arena?

The home arena is the Horaiya Koriyama General Gymnasium near Kaiseiyama Park in Koriyama City, and home games are also held at the Fukushima Toyota Crown Arena in Fukushima City.

INFORMATION

• Team name: Fukushima Firebonds
• Office address: 1F Ishii Building, 1-2 Domaecho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 024-927-0777
• URL: Fukushima Firebonds official website

• Home stadium name: Horaiya Koriyama General Gymnasium
• Location: 3-10 Toyotacho, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture (Koriyama General Gymnasium)
• Phone number: 024-934-1500
• URL: Koriyama City official website

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Fukushima Red Hopes (Baseball: Baseball Challenge League)

The team color is red, and the home stadium is York Kaiseiyama Stadium (Koriyama Sports Complex Kaiseiyama Baseball Stadium) in Koriyama City, with Akinori Iwamura, formerly of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, serving as executive director and manager.

Tohoku's only BC League team

We are the only BC League team in the Tohoku region and have been participating in an independent league called the "Route in BC League" since 2014, which evolved from the Hokushinetsu Baseball League.

INFORMATION

• Team name: Fukushima Red Hopes
• Office address: 3-22 Yayamada, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Phone number: 024-923-1789
• URL: Fukushima Red Hopes official website

• Home stadium name: York Kaiseiyama Stadium
• Location: 1-5-12 Kaisei, Koriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture (inside Kaiseiyama Park)
• Phone number: 024-934-1500
• URL: Koriyama City official website

GOOGLE MAP

summary

Soccer fans in Fukushima Prefecture can't wait for the two J League teams to play the J1 Fukushima derby in the near future.

The efforts of various professional sports teams such as soccer, basketball, and baseball will bring joy and hope to Fukushima, which is still in the middle of recovery due to issues such as the nuclear power plant issue.