Lagoon Inc. (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Mai Muramatsu), which operates freestyle schools and individual tutoring for children with gifted characteristics, is pleased to announce its sponsorship as a "Shirogane Mame" sponsor for the "9th World Edamame Speed Eating Championship" to be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. On the day of the event, three Lagoon staff members will participate as a team in the team competition, aiming for victory. Additionally, an "Educational Consultation Booth for Parents and Children" (free of charge) will be set up at Aore Nagaoka to support parents concerned about school refusal, reluctance to go to school, or their child's specific characteristics. Three staff members participating in the team competition for the "9th World Edamame Speed Eating Championship" About the "World Edamame Speed Eating Championship" Niigata Prefecture boasts the largest acreage for edamame cultivation. This major event, held in the renowned production area of Nagaoka City, expresses love for edamame and promotes its deliciousness to the world. This is an international competition where participants compete to see "how many edamame they can eat beautifully within the time limit of 100 seconds." Many challengers gather from all over the country for both individual and team competitions. The "Edamame Marche" at the venue will feature booths themed around Nagaoka's food and agriculture. It serves to convey the appeal of local agricultural products and is loved as a festival that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. This year, the 9th event, will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at "Aore Nagaoka," a landmark in Nagaoka City. (Official Website: https://edamame.world/) Background of Sponsorship This sponsorship and participation originated from everyday conversations with Lagoon's students. It all began when students learned about the "World Edamame Speed Eating Championship" through their fre