Tokyo Electron Signs Sponsorship Agreement with Professional Golfer Rio Takeda

Tokyo Electron (TEL; Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Toshiki Kawai) is pleased to announce that it has signed a sponsorship agreement with professional golfer Rio Takeda.

During the 2024 season, Takeda won eight times on the Japan Ladies Professional Golfers' Association (JLPGA) Tour and was named Player of the Year. She became the first JLPGA player to receive this honor in the same season that she won her first tour title. Takeda, a formidable long hitter, won two major Japanese titles (the Sony JLPGA Championship and the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship) and the TOTO Japan Classic, which was co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour. She joined the prestigious LPGA Tour in the 2025 season, winning her first title as a regular tour member at the Blue Bay LPGA in March. This was her second LPGA title. Eager to compete on the global stage, the 22-year-old is honing her powerful swing and aggressive playing style every day in preparation for her next goal of winning an LPGA major title.

At TEL, we are deeply impressed by Takeda's outstanding achievements in Japan and her dedication to succeeding internationally. To support her future endeavors, we entered into a sponsorship agreement with her. We hope her exceptional driving distance and her willingness to test the limits of her abilities will open international opportunities for her. As a manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment with world-class technology, we appreciate her forward-thinking ambition and fully support her global initiatives.

As part of the sponsorship agreement, the TEL logo will be displayed on the right front of Takeda's shirt, starting with the Fujifilm Studio Alice Ladies Open in April 2026.

A message from Rio Takeda
I am truly honored to have the support of Tokyo Electron as a sponsor.
Both Tokyo Electron and I have strong ties to Kumamoto. It is very encouraging to have the support of a Kumamoto-affiliated company that takes on global challenges. This support will make a big difference as I continue competing around the world.
I was born and raised in Kumamoto, where I received a lot of support that helped me grow as a golfer. I will always cherish those memories and be proud of Kumamoto, no matter where I play. Tokyo Electron and I both aspire to be the best in the world in our respective fields. Let's do our best to fulfill the global hopes, dreams, and excitement that Kumamoto inspires.
We look forward to your continued support.

Profile of Rio Takeda
Takeda was born in Koshi, Kumamoto. She qualified to play in the JLPGA Tour in November 2021. She won her first title in 2024 at the KKT Cup Vantelin Ladies Open, and her second the following week at the Fujisankei Ladies Classic, becoming the fourth JLPGA player to win back-to-back titles after her first tour victory. In September, she won her first major Japanese title at the Sony JLPGA Championship. Then, in October, she became the third JLPGA player to win two major titles in a season when she won the Japan Women's Open Golf Championship. This victory marked her seventh JLPGA Tour win. In November, she won the TOTO Japan Classic, which was co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour. This marked her eighth JLPGA win and her first LPGA win. She joined the LPGA Tour in 2025 and won the Blue Bay LPGA tournament, her fifth event of the season, by six strokes. This marked her second LPGA victory.
Takeda's mother, Tetsuko Hirase, is a professional golfer. Her aunt, Mayumi Hirase, who is also a professional golfer, is a two-time money title winner of the JLPGA.

Tournament wins
2024
KKT Cup Vantelin Ladies Open (Takeda's first JLPGA Tour title)
Fujisankei Ladies Classic
Bridgestone Ladies Open
Hokkaido Meiji Cup
Golf5 Ladies Professional Golf Tournament
Sony JLPGA Championship (major Japanese tournament)
Japan Women's Open Golf Championship (major Japanese tournament)
TOTO Japan Classic (co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour)
2025
Blue Bay LPGA (Takeda's first LPGA title as a regular tour member)