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Leifras Awarded New Contract to Manage Weekend Community Club Activities in Chiba City's Hanamigawa and Mihama Wards, Supporting 57 Club Activities Across 19 Junior High Schools

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Leifras (Nasdaq:LFS) announced it was awarded a new contract by Chiba City in April 2026 to manage weekend community club activities at municipal junior high schools in Hanamigawa and Mihama wards. Under this contract, Leifras provides integrated management support for 57 club activities across 19 public junior high schools.

The contract is Leifras’s first in Chiba City and aligns with Japan’s 2026–2031 national “Reform Implementation Period” for school club activities. Leifras estimates a potential nationwide market of about JPY500 billion, based on roughly 9,800 junior high schools and 128,000 club activities, as weekend clubs transition to community and private-sector operators.

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Positive

  • First Chiba City contract covering 57 club activities at 19 junior high schools
  • Company-estimated potential school club outsourcing market of about JPY500 billion
  • Leading track record with 381 contracted schools and 2,120 supported clubs as of Dec. 31, 2025
  • Large operating base with 1,055 full-time and 3,544 part-time employees across 47 prefectures
  • Zero major accidents or severe injuries in school club support business since its launch in 2013

Negative

  • None.

News Explained

The Chiba City award has progressed into execution: Leifras has begun providing integrated management support for 57 club activities across 19 public junior high schools, making this an active service arrangement rather than only an awarded contract.

News Market Reaction – LFS

+0.53% 4.0x vol
2 alerts
+0.53% Session close to close
$62.79M Market Cap
4.0x Rel. Volume

In the Aug 27 session, LFS gained 0.53%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 2 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. Trading volume was very high at 4.0x the daily average, suggesting strong buying interest.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

Leifras recorded a 4.91% reaction after a comparable school-club contract, while its Aug 26 announce...
Analysis

Leifras recorded a 4.91% reaction after a comparable school-club contract, while its Aug 26 announcement recorded -1.73%. This historical record added mixed precedent; no peer momentum or related peer headlines were provided.

Key Figures

Contract coverage: 57 club activities across 19 public junior high schools Reform period: 2026 through 2031 Potential market size: Approximately JPY500 billion +5 more
8 metrics
Contract coverage 57 club activities across 19 public junior high schools Chiba City contract
Reform period 2026 through 2031 Expected transition period for weekend school club activities
Potential market size Approximately JPY500 billion Company estimate for Japan's school club activity market
National school footprint Approximately 9,800 junior high schools and 128,000 club activities Japan nationwide figures
Planned transition 30.4% or 38,954 clubs Government plan for the current fiscal year
Contracted operations 381 contracted schools and 2,120 supported clubs As of December 31, 2025
Workforce 1,055 full-time staff and 3,544 part-time employees Current nationwide coaching platform
Safety record Zero major accidents or severe injuries Since launching the school club support business in 2013

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Aug 26 (Neutral)
Pattern 5 events
Date Event Sentiment 24h Move Catalyst
Aug 26 Trading access update Neutral -1.7% Nasdaq planned extended weekday trading access after SEC approval
Aug 25 Auditor appointment Neutral +1.8% New independent auditor appointed after committee and board approvals
Aug 20 School contract award Positive +4.9% Nagakute City school-club management contract covering three junior high schools
Aug 19 Anniversary event Neutral +0.0% Family Day anniversary event recognized employees and their families
Aug 13 Sports ambassador appointment Positive -5.2% Ambassador appointed for youth soccer tournament and BLUELOCK collaboration

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Leifras announcements produced mixed historical outcomes, with positive company news followed by both gains and declines.

Key Terms

non-cognitive skills
1 terms
non-cognitive skills technical
"The Company's approach to sports education emphasizes the development of non-cognitive skills"
Non-cognitive skills are the personal and social abilities—like communication, teamwork, persistence, time management and emotional control—that shape how people behave, learn and interact on the job. For investors, these skills matter because they influence productivity, turnover, customer service and adaptability; a workforce with strong non-cognitive skills is like a well-tuned team where fewer mistakes, smoother collaboration and quicker problem-solving can translate into lower costs and steadier revenue growth.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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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

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leifras-awarded-new-contract-to-manage-weekend-community-club-activities-in-chiba-citys-hanamigawa-and-mihama-wards-supporting-57-club-activities-across-19-junior-high-schools-302860658.html

SOURCE LEIFRAS Co., Ltd.

FAQ

What new contract did Leifras (Nasdaq:LFS) win in Chiba City in April 2026?

Leifras won a Chiba City contract to manage weekend community club activities at junior high schools in Hanamigawa and Mihama wards. According to Leifras, the company now provides integrated management support for these municipal weekend clubs as part of its expanding school club activity support business.

How many school club activities will Leifras (LFS) manage under the new Chiba City contract?

Under the new contract, Leifras will support 57 club activities across 19 public junior high schools. According to Leifras, this integrated management of weekend community clubs in Hanamigawa and Mihama wards marks its first engagement with Chiba City’s municipal junior high school network.

How large is the potential school club activity outsourcing market cited by Leifras (LFS)?

Leifras estimates the potential market for outsourced school club activities at approximately JPY500 billion. According to Leifras, this estimate is based on about 9,800 junior high schools and 128,000 club activities nationwide as weekend programs shift to community and private-sector management between 2026 and 2031.

How does Japan’s "Reform Implementation Period" affect Leifras (LFS) and its new contract?

Japan’s 2026–2031 "Reform Implementation Period" encourages weekend school club activities to move to community and private operators. According to Leifras, the new Chiba City contract aligns with this policy shift, positioning the company to support municipal clubs as teacher workloads and instruction quality are addressed nationally.

Why is Leifras (LFS) being chosen to manage school club activities in Japan?

Leifras cites five advantages: an industry-leading contract track record, strong national and local government networks, a large-scale coaching platform, and a safety-first system. According to Leifras, it supports 381 schools and 2,120 clubs nationwide and has recorded no major accidents since 2013.

What is Leifras’s track record in school club support as of December 31, 2025 (LFS)?

As of December 31, 2025, Leifras supported 381 contracted schools and 2,120 school clubs across Japan. According to Leifras, this makes it Japan’s leading operator by number of children’s sports schools and supported school club activities, underpinned by nationwide staffing and established municipal partnerships.

How many staff does Leifras (LFS) employ to support its nationwide school club activities?

Leifras operates its programs with 1,055 full-time staff and 3,544 part-time employees across all 47 prefectures. According to Leifras, this large coaching and management workforce is supported by exclusive recruitment pipelines with educational institutions, enabling broad coverage of youth sports and school club activity needs.