News Discussion

Fitness Enthusiasts Flex for a Cleaner City in Ebisu

On September 20, the event "Graffiti-Erasing Muscles" was held in Ebisu, Tokyo. Fitness enthusiasts with impressive physiques came together to help maintain the cityscape.

The event is organized by VALX, a Shibuya-based company that develops fitness brands such as protein and apparel, in collaboration with Shibuya Ward. It has been held annually since 2024.

For this second edition, participants not only removed graffiti from walls but also took a creative approach to prevent future vandalism. They painted illustrations, including images of Ebisu, one of Japan's Seven Gods of Fortune.

Around 30 muscular participants worked for two hours, sweating through the task. After finishing, they all smiled as they took commemorative photos in front of the now-clean walls.

Kotomi Yoshida from VALX, who helped organize the event, said, "It was great to put the participants' muscles to use and remove stubborn paint. We want to transform graffiti, which often has a negative image, into positive art that fits the multicultural vibe of Shibuya.“

1. 1. enthusiast　愛好者、熱心な人
   My friend Garrett is a model train enthusiast and builds model railways.
2. 2. maintain　維持する、守る
   Liam works on his car every weekend to maintain it.
3. 3. annually　毎年、年1回
   The skateboarding competition is held annually at the local skate park.
4. 4. vandalism （故意・悪意のある）破壊行為
   Keeping buildings in good condition helps to stop vandalism.
5. 5. commemorative　記念の、記念として
   We bought commemorative T-shirts at the pop concert.

1. 1. What is VALX, and what event did they organize?
2. 2. What did participants do at the event?
3. 3. What was the main purpose of this event?
4. 4. What causes vandalism? Why do people do it?
5. 5. Can graffiti be considered an art form? Why or why not? What is the difference between vandalism and art?

筋肉自慢の男女らが集い、街の景観を守るイベント「壁の落書き消しマッスル」が9月20日、東京都渋谷区恵比寿で行われた。

このイベントは、プロテイン、アパレルなどの「フィットネスブランド」を中心とした事業を展開するVALX（バルクス、本社・東京都渋谷区）が渋谷区と連携し昨年から行っている。

2回目の今回は、街の落書きを消す作業に加え、その防止策として壁に「恵比寿様」のイラストを描くなど、アートを取り入れた新たな取り組みも行われた。

参加した筋肉隆々の約30人は、汗を流しながら2時間の作業を行った。作業を終えた参加者は皆、きれいになった壁面と記念撮影をするなどして笑顔を見せていた。

イベントを企画したVALXの吉田琴美さん（28）は「参加者の筋肉を生かして頑固な塗料を落とせてよかった。ネガティブなイメージがある落書きを、多文化な渋谷の街に合わせてポジティブなアートに変化させたい」と話した。