Japan’s supermodel Moe Oshikiri can be seen in this photo (center). Next to her is former major league baseball player Tsuyoshi Shinjo. The two, along with a whole bunch of other folk took part in a marathon (cough, cough) event at Tokyo Midtown on Monday morning.

The event was part of mobile carrier KDDI au’s “Green Road Project.”

A real runner, Olympic marathon silver medalist Yuko Arimori, also attended the event. Altogether there were some 50 runners who participated.

KDDI (Japan’s International Telephone Company) launched the project through which au users can donate 1 yen for each 1 kilometer they walk or run, after downloading the company’s online service “au Smart Sports Run&Walk.”

The money raised will buy seeds of bitter gourd and morning glory to distribute for free at au shops. All of this is part of KDDI’s greening project. So far, KDDI says that 2.7 million yen ($30K) has been raised since the project’s launch in February.

I remember when I introduced the idea of walking/running for pledges some 20 years ago. All, I got were blank stares. We eventually raised $100K over the years which we sent off to southeast Asia.

Glad to see a major company in Japan is doing something similar.

Via: JapanToday

If you're new here and you like our articles, how about subscribing free for our updates via RSS feed.

Japanese stars are into the Green spirit.

Olympic marathon silver medalist Yuko Arimori is one.

Former major league baseball player Tsuyoshi Shinjo is another.

And, model Yuri Ebihara, also known as “Ebi-chan” is the third (left to right.)

The three posed for the press during a promotional event for a mobile phone carrier KDDI au.

KDDI in Tokyo launched its “Green Road Project.” au users can donate 1 yen for each 1 kilometer they walk or run AFTER downloading the company’s online service “au Smart Sports Run&Walk.”

The money raised will go towards buying seeds of bitter gourd and morning glory. Those seeds will be distributeed for free at au shops to promote KDDI’s greening project.

Ebi-chan gushed: “It is so cool and I like men who give it their all when they try something.”

Where do I sign up?