Bringing his energy and bravery, The Original Tiger Mask visits a children's welfare facility/Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1205120028/

May 12, 2012

Children closely gather around Tiger Mask=The Naka Ward in Yokohama

On the 12th, the pro wrestler known as the original Tiger Mask, Sayama Satoru (Age 54), visited the Koufou Children's Park. Located in Yokohama's Naka Ward,  the child welfare facility is headed by Fukuda Kyōko. He meet with and delivered his positive energy to children separated from their parent's custody, due to abuse and neglect.

Fifty boys and girls from ages 3-18 are enrolled in the facility. As his theme music played, Sayama appeared, dressed as Tiger Mask, drawing out cheers and applause from the children.

Meeting with the children, Sayama introduced his pro wrestling moves while instructing them on self defense. He made a strong appeal to the kids on how to live their lives: "Drawing on your courtesy and bravery, you can follow the path of justice no matter what happens in your life." Hoisting a small boy onto his shoulder, a scene erupted of the children excitedly shouting out "That's really him, he's so cool," etc. While eating cake and meat buns, the children's faces, stuffed with food, were filled with smiles.

Belonging to New Japan Pro Wrestling in the 80's, Tiger Mask gathered popularity with his aerial maneuvers. In November of last year, Sayama extended his sights towards the Tiger Mask Donation Phenomenon, backing the formation and establishment of a fund. Visiting welfare centers, the 2011 disaster area and other locations, he continues his work in returning smiles to the children.


Original text:
初代タイガーマスクが元気と勇気届ける、児童福祉施設を訪問/横浜
2012年5月12日

子どもたちと交流を深めるタイガーマスク＝横浜市中区

プロレスの初代タイガーマスクとして知られる格闘家の佐山聡さん（54）が12日、横浜市中区の児童福祉施設「高風子供園」（福田京子園長）を訪れた。虐待などの理由で両親と離れて暮らす子どもたちとふれあい、元気と勇気を届けた。

同園は３～18歳の男女約50人が入所する施設。テーマ曲に合わせてタイガーマスク姿の佐山さんが登場すると、子どもたちの歓声と拍手が湧き起こった。

交流会で佐山さんは、プロレス技を紹介しながら護身術を伝授。これからの人生について「礼儀と勇気、そして正義があれば何でもできる」と力強く訴えた。肩に抱き上げられた男児は「本物だ」「カッコイイ」などと興奮した様子。ケーキや肉まんが差し入れられ、子どもたちは笑顔で頬張っていた。

新日本プロレスに所属していた１９８０年代、空中技などで人気を集めたタイガーマスク。佐山さんは昨年11月、広がりを見せていた「タイガーマスク運動」を後押しする形で基金を設立。福祉施設や被災地などを訪問し、子どもたちの笑顔を取り戻す活動を続けている。

The Original Tiger Mask, helping to protect people from bank scams/Ebina

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1202200022/

February 20, 2012

The original Tiger Mask, Sayama Satoru distributing informational pamphlets=Ebina Station entrance

Known for the slogan “Tigers! We are great tiger cubs!" Professional wrestler Sayama Satoru (54), The Original Tiger Mask, participated in a campaign on the 20th to prevent bank fraud at the Vina Walk shopping mall and the entrance of Ebina Station.

During the month of February, officials of Ebina are strengthening their promotion of bank theft counter measures and eradication. Fifty crime prevention and youth assistance guides are participating.

Sayama, appearing under his mask commented "Bank fraud is running rampant, and I don't want our country to be affected by it. I'll give my rolling kick to any arriving criminals!" as he displayed his trademark poses with a look of determination. Sending out his energy into the streets, he distributed informational flyers.

The famous former grappler gave signatures and handshakes to fans. A housewife (age 37) displaying deep gratitude as she received his signature commented "My husband is a huge fan of Tiger Mask, and had me come in his place. It was nice to meet him.”

Sayama debuted in the early 80's for New Japan Pro Wrestling as the first Tiger Mask, becoming considerably popular.

Last year, 10 cases of bank fraud occurred within official jurisdiction. Total damaged amounted to nearly 30 million (about $2,873,780 dollars).

Original text:

振り込め詐欺防止、初代タイガーマスクが助っ人に/海老名

2012年2月20日

啓発チラシなどを配る初代タイガーマスクの佐山聡さん＝海老名駅前

「トラれるな大事なトラの子」を合言葉に、プロレスの初代タイガーマスクの佐山聡さん（54）らが20日、海老名駅前やビナウオークで振り込め詐欺防止キャンペーンを行った。

海老名署の振り込め詐欺撲滅対策推進強化月間（２月）の一環。防犯指導員や少年補導員ら約50人が参加した。

タイガーマスクをかぶって登場した佐山さんは「（振り込め詐欺の横行で）変な国になってもらいたくない。犯人がいたらローリング・ソバットする」と自身の得意技を挙げて決意表名。元気よく街頭に繰り出し、啓発チラシなどを配った。

往年の名選手にサインや握手を求める人も。市内の主婦（37）は「夫が大ファンで代わりに来た。会えてよかった」とサインをもらい感激の表情だった。

佐山さんは新日本プロレス時代の１９８０年代初頭に初代タイガーマスクとして人気を集めた。

同署管内で発生した昨年の振り込め詐欺は10件で、被害額は約２２９０万円。

Professional wrestler Keiji Mutō visits Mayor Fumiko Hayashi, invites 500 people entered into the social welfare institution to attend wrestling event/ Yokohama

Translated from the original article at: http://news.kanaloco.jp/localnews/article/1111300020/

Caption: Mayor Hayashi (Left) is handed a list of 500 invitees from wrestler Keiji Mutō=Yokohama City Government Office

On December 4^th, in the Yokohamas Cultural Gymnasium (In the town of Furō, Yokohama City), Keiji Mutō will be in competing in All Japan Pro Wrestling’s world tag team championship match. On the 30^th, he visited Yokohama City’s governmental office, and offered Mayor Fumiko Hayashi a list of 500 citizens invited to the event.

The spectators invited to the match first had to fill out an application to All Japan Pro Wrestling in order to be considered. Within the city’s welfare institutions, 500 disabled, elderly as well as children were invited.

Keiji Mutō said: I absolutely want the mayor to see the match. This is a gift of our spirit, he saluted. Mayor Hayashi said: I’m grateful for having this talk. As the event draws customers, Yokohama city hopes to receive (greater) vitality, she spoke in gratitude.

Original Text:

プロレスラーの武藤敬司選手が林市長を訪問、福祉施設入所者ら約５００人を試合に招待/横浜

林市長（左）に約５００人分の招待目録を手渡した武藤敬司選手＝横浜市役所

12月４日に横浜文化体育館（横浜市中区不老町）で世界最強タッグ優勝決定戦を開催する全日本プロレスの武藤敬司選手は30日、横浜市役所を訪れ、市民約５００人分の招待目録を林文子市長に贈った。

試合観覧への招待は、全日本プロレス側の申し入れにより実現。市内の福祉施設に入所、通所している障害者や高齢者、子ども約５００人が招待される。

武藤選手は「市長にもぜひ試合を生で見てほしい。元気をプレゼントします」とあいさつ。林市長は「ありがたいお話をいただいた。イベントでお客さんを引き込み、横浜を元気にしてほしい」と感謝の言葉を述べた。

Yokohama - "Big Japan" pro wrestlers play a part in anti-criminal activity, in agreement with city officials in the ward of Tsuduki

Translated from: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20111115-00000045-kana-l14

Caption: The campaign goes underway with "Big Japan" pro wrestlers in the Tsuduki ward of Yokohama City

Located in Ikonobe City, in the Tsuduki ward of Yokohama are wrestlers from the "Big Japan" promotion. In cooperation with city officials, they are wrestling with criminal activity in the region. On the 10th, two wrestlers combined their strength with Ikonobe's crime prevention force. Immediately on that same day, at the south entrance of the city's municipal train station center, a campaign was announced against pick-pocketing.

Big Japan Pro Wrestling was established in 1995. Presently, approximately 20 people belong to it, where it holds events in every part of the country. In May of this year, a female wrestler belonging to Big Japan Pro Wrestling accused a man of threatening her. The same city officials arrested the man, and the incident deepened the bond with the city. From there, it's said that they agreed on the spirit of contributing to the region together.

[We look kind of like these scary people we're going after], said the masked wrestlers during their work on the 10th, as elementary and middle school students returning home from school showed deep interest. Itō Ryūji, age 35 said "Pro wrestlers have an image of being violent, but we also want to have a close relationship with people in the region. We're grateful for being able to do however little to decrease crime." Afterwards, he carried out such activities as distributing fliers.


Original text:

大日本プロレスが防犯活動に一役、都筑署と協定結ぶ/横浜

キャンペーンを行う大日本プロレスのレスラー＝横浜市都筑区

横浜市都筑区を拠点とする「大日本プロレス」（同区池辺町）が都筑署と協力して、地域の防犯活動に取り組んでいる。10日に両者は協定を結び、「池辺町防犯隊」を結成。早速同日に市営地下鉄センター南駅前で「空き巣に気を付けよう」などと呼び掛け、キャンペーンを行った。

大日本プロレスは１９９５年に結成。現在約20人が所属し、全国各地のイベントなどで活躍している。今年５月、大日本プロレスに所属する女子選手を脅迫した容疑で男が同署に逮捕された事件を機に親交を深め、「一緒に地域貢献を」と意気投合したという。

「俺みたいな怖い人について行くなよ」。10日の活動でマスクマンらが声を掛けると、下校途中の小中学生らも興味津々。伊東竜二選手（35）は「プロレスは暴力的なイメージを持たれがちだが、地域の人にも親しみを持ってほしい。少しでも犯罪を減らしていけたらうれしい」。今後もビラ配りなどの活動に携わる予定だ。