TOKYO, Aug. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. (Nasdaq: LFS) (the "Company" or "Leifras"), a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement and Japan's leading operator of children's sports schools and school club activity support businesses, today announced that, in April 2026, it was awarded a new contract (the "Contract") by Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, to provide management and operational services for weekend community club activities at municipal junior high schools in Hanamigawa and Mihama wards. Under the Contract, Leifras has begun providing integrated management support for 57 club activities across 19 public junior high schools in the city.
The Contract represents the Company's first contract in Chiba City and marks an important milestone in its growth strategy as Japan enters the national government's "Reform Implementation Period" for school club activities.
An Estimated JPY500 Billion Market* and the Formal Commencement of the "Reform Implementation Period"
Across schools in Japan, reducing excessive teacher workloads and improving the quality of specialized instruction for school club activities have become pressing social issues. Beginning in the national government's 2026 fiscal year, Japan commenced the national government's "Reform Implementation Period" for school club activities, during which weekend school club activities are expected, in principle, to transition to community-based and private-sector operations over a period that is expected to extend from 2026 through 2031.
With approximately 9,800 junior high schools** and 128,000 club activities nationwide, the Company estimates the potential market size to be approximately JPY500 billion*. The Japanese government has announced plans to transition 30.4% of weekend school club activities, or 38,954 clubs, to community-based and private-sector operations during the current fiscal year, indicating continued expansion of the market.
* Market size is estimated by the Company based on past contract performances.
** e-Stat Government Statistics Portal Site/Number of Schools in 2025.
Why Leifras is Chosen: Five Advantages
- Industry-leading Contract Track Record: The Company holds the leading industry position with 381 contracted schools and 2,120 supported clubs, ranking first in Japan by the number of children's sports schools and the number of supported school club activities as of December 31, 2025, according to Tokyo Shoko Research.
- Robust National Government Network: As a member of the Nippon Sport Policy Commission and an official partner of the Japan Sports Association, Leifras collaborates closely with key organizations representing Japan's sports industry and private education sector to co-promote national policies.
- Extensive Local Government Network: The Company has partnered directly with 33 prefectures and 13 Tokyo special wards, accumulating substantial operational know-how tailored to region-specific educational needs.
- Japan's Only Large-Scale Coaching Platform: Currently operating across 47 prefectures, Leifras employs 1,055 full-time staff and 3,544 part-time employees. The Company has also established stable, exclusive recruitment pipelines through comprehensive alliances with educational institutions.
- Safety-First Operational System: Full-time employees of the Company manage and oversee club activity instructors, to ensure thorough adherence to proprietary training programs and regular field audits. Since launching the school club support business in 2013, the Company has maintained a record of zero major accidents or severe injuries.
Future Outlook
Under its corporate philosophy, "To Change and Design Sports," Leifras expects to continue to deepen its collaboration with local governments nationwide. The Company aims to contribute to addressing social issues, including teacher workstyle reform and improving specialized instruction in school club activities, while supporting the development of sustainable, community-based school club activity models. Leveraging its nationwide operating capabilities and accumulated expertise, Leifras aims to help create an environment in which children can continue to enjoy safe and fulfilling sports and cultural activities for years to come.
About LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Leifras is a sports and social business company dedicated to youth sports and community engagement. The Company primarily provides services related to the organization and operations of sports schools and sports events for children. As of December 31, 2025, Leifras was recognized as one of Japan's largest operators of children's sports schools in terms of both membership and facilities by Tokyo Shoko Research. The Company's approach to sports education emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills, following the teaching principle "acknowledge, praise, encourage, and motivate." The holistic approach that integrates physical and mental development sets Leifras apart in the industry. Building upon deep experience and know-how in sports education, Leifras also operates a robust social business sector, dispatching sports coaches to meet various community needs with the aim to promote physical health, social inclusion, and community well-being across different demographics.
For more information, please visit the Company's website: https://ir.leifras.co.jp/.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs, including, but not limited to, the estimated market size resulting from the "Reform Implementation Period" and any impact it may have on the Company. Investors can find many (but not all) of these statements by the use of words such as "approximates," "believes," "hopes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "plans," "will," "would," "should," "could," "may," or other similar expressions in this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks, including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the annual report and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.
For more information, please contact:
LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
Investor Relations Department
Email: IR@leifras.co.jp
Ascent Investor Relations LLC
Tina Xiao
Phone: +1-646-932-7242
Email: investors@ascent-ir.com
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SOURCE LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.
