On Tuesday, February 5, the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters signed a cooperation agreement with the Hokkaido Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Hokkaido Ballpark Corporation to contribute to the enhancement of Hokkaido's value creation capabilities and regional revitalization.

Based on this agreement, the three parties will build a closer and more systematic collaboration and cooperation system in the following five areas：

• - Promotion of measures and projects implemented or participated in by the Hokkaido Development Bureau
• - Study on regional development, industrial development, and cultural and sports promotion with an eye to the world, utilizing the ballpark to be developed in the Kitahiroshima Sports Park
• - Study of possible traffic impacts associated with a major event held at the Ballpark
• - Response to emergencies such as large-scale disasters
• - Other matters deemed necessary

At the signing ceremony, Tetsuji Mizushima, Director General of Hokkaido Development Bureau said: I heard that the Hokkaido Ballpark, to be built in Kitahiroshima, will be a "ballpark the world has never seen before" and aims to create a collaborative creative space to improve society together with local governments and residents. It is expected to have a significant effect on the formation of a world-class value-creating space for the promotion of food and tourism, as well as the maintenance and development of the production space that supports them.

Kensou Takeda, President of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, said: we will work together to address the various issues related to the construction of the ballpark, and work together with everyone involved to make it a symbol of Hokkaido, a tourism resource, and a source of regional development.

Kaname Fukuda, President of Hokkaido Ballpark, said: it is my great pleasure to be able to work with the public and private sectors to promote industry, culture, and sports. With support from many quarters, we will continue to tackle issues such as transportation access.