CMA Decatur and TFA Support Japanese Heritage Night

The CMA Decatur plant and Toray Fluorofibers (America), Inc. (TFA), supported and actively participated in the Japanese Heritage Night Presented by Toray hosted by the local Minor League Baseball team, the Rocket City Trash Pandas, on August 27, 2025. The Trash Pandas are a Minor League Baseball team—the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels, located in Madison, Alabama.

A total of 140 employees of TFA and CMA and their families were invited to attend the event. At the stadium, a promotional video of Toray Industries, Inc. was shown on the big screen, and an information booth of Toray was set up to engage with the local community.

Family members of CMA Decatur employees participated in both the singing of the National Anthem and throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Employees and their spouses also pitched in to provide Japanese-language announcements during the game. Special Japanese-themed uniforms and limited-edition T-shirts were sold during the event, which also featured elements such as Japanese music, origami, and taiko drum performances.

In the top of the fourth inning, Andy Sakata, Executive Vice President, General Manager, Carbon Fiber Division, appeared in a live interview broadcast on both radio and television, where he spoke about the significance of the event and the beauty of Japanese culture.

The game ended with an exciting walk-off victory for the Trash Pandas in the bottom of the ninth inning, adding to the lively atmosphere. We are proud to have contributed to sharing Japanese culture with the local community and to have played a part in strengthening grassroots ties between Japan and the United States.