AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief, Japan) has been chosen as a charity partner (beneficiary organization) of the Osaka Marathon 2027, to be held on February 28, 2027. Six charity runners who picked AAR as their beneficiary will run to widen the circle of support.
Charity runners join to deepen understanding of the race's charity activities and support the organizations they pick. Each donates 1,000 yen on entry and aims to raise at least 70,000 yen in total from family, friends, colleagues and others. Once the goal is met and the procedures are done, their entry to the race is confirmed.
Donations go to AAR's emergency relief, refugee support, support for persons with disabilities, disaster relief and other activities. Runners have shared messages such as "I will support refugee aid from Osaka" and "My sixth Osaka Marathon, and this year I run for AAR." Donations to AAR are tax-deductible, and the campaign runs until December 15.
Key points
- Six runners, each with their own motivation, run to back AAR's work
- A form of support unique to citizen marathons: runners raise funds, and supporters join by donating
- Donations support a wide range of work, from emergency and refugee relief to disability and disaster support
Why This News Caught Our Attention
The charity runner system, where running itself becomes support for others, widens the ways people can engage with international cooperation. Even those who do not run can join through donations and cheering.
With messages from all six runners published, supporters can choose whom to back. It is useful to see how a familiar sporting event connects to support for people far away.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“I like that runners gather donations while those who can't run join through giving. Each of the six runners has a short message, so choosing whom to cheer on could be part of the fun.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“I agree with Aoba on the fun of choosing whom to support. A runner on a sixth Osaka Marathon, now running for refugee aid, shows to me the depth of feeling of someone who keeps at it.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“The joy of choosing and the feeling of persistence you both mention are lovely. A familiar act like running becoming support for someone far away is a gentle entry to international cooperation. I want to cheer on the six.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“Sports and international cooperation coming together in the charity runner program is lovely. Picturing six runners on the streets of Osaka in February makes me want to cheer them on.
Donations are open until December 15. Why not read the runners' words and back someone who speaks to you?”