Meet the Inventor

Nao Sakata

Naoaki "Nao" SAKATA, MBA

  • ・Head Coach & GM of Rikkyo Univ. Sumo Team (2017-2023)
  • ・Board Member of Eastern Japan College Sumo Federation
Nao Sakata's message Nao Sakata in 1993

Our Products

Flexcushion® & FlexBarrel®

Flexcushion

Stretch Easily and Effectively!

Flexcushion Official Website »

KabukiGlasses®

KabukiGlasses

The Ultimate Theatre & Sports Binoculars

KabukiGlasses Official Website »

Management Members

CEO & Inventor
Naoaki "Nao" SAKATA, MBA

Head Coach & GM of Rikkyo Univ. Sumo Team (2017-2023)
Board Member of Eastern Japan College Sumo Federation

  • 2003MBA, HEC Paris (France)
  • 1995BA in Sociology, Rikkyo St.Paul's Univirsity (Tokyo, Japan)
  • 1989Exchange student at Episcopal High School (Alexandria, VA, USA)
  • 2010 Founded SANTEPLUS, LLC (USA)
  • 2006 Founded SANTEPLUS, Inc. (Japan)
  • 2003-2006 Worked at Michelin Japan as General Manager
  • 1995-2000 Worked at Panasonic in Japan and in Russia
  • 1971 Born in Tokyo, Japan

Executive Advisor
Hideo NUMAZAWA, MS

Professor of Rikkyo University, College of Sports & Wellness

  • 1988MS in Coaching, Juntendo University
  • 1986BA in Sports Science, Juntendo University
  • 2004 Professor at Rikkyo St.Paul's University
  • 1994 Assistant Professor at Rikkyo St.Paul's University
  • 1987 4th place of 400m Hurdle at All Japan Track & Field
  • 1992 Started his career at Rikkyo University
  • 1963 Born in Yamagata, Japan

Corporate Profile

Company SANTEPLUS, Inc.
President Naoaki SAKATA, MBA
Founded May 15th, 2006
Global
Headquarter
4-1-10 Gokodori, YAYA Building 6th floor
Chuo-ku, Kobe HYOGO 651-0087 JAPAN
TEL. +81-78-855-7778
FAX. +81-50-3201-3684
Email:info@flexcushion.com
Website http://www.flexcushion.com
http://www.kabukiglasses.com/en
USA SANTEPLUS, LLC (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
for sales and distribution in the US
Email:info@flexcushion.com
Membership
  • Member of Chamber of Commerce Osaka
  • Official Sponsor for Japan Athletic Trainers Association
  • Official Supplier for Alvark Tokyo (Basketball)
  • Sponsor for Pilates Heritage 2024
  • Sponsor of Pilates Empowerment Summit 2014/2017
EXPO &
Tradeshow
  • '24/05 Pilates Heritage Congress 2024(Germany)
  • '24/03 JATO ATC Symposium 2024(Kyoto, Japan)
  • '23/12 NSCA JAPAN Conference (Chiba, Japan)
  • '23/12 Professional Baseball S&C (Hiroshima, Japan)
  • '23/12 Japan Sprint Research Congress 2023(Kyoto, Japan)
  • '23/08 Pilates Empowerment Summit (Fort Lauderdale, USA)
  • '23/02 NSCA Japan Conference (Tokyo, Japan)
  • '22/12 JPBATS (Sendai, Japan)
  • '22/12 Japan Sprint Research Congress 2022 (Chiba, Japan)
  • '20/01 JATO x PBATS in Tokyo (Japan)
  • '19/12 Japan Association of Training Instructors (Tokyo, Japan)
  • '19/12 Japan Sprint Research Congress 2023 (Tokyo, Japan)
  • '19/05 NBSCA Summit 2019 (Chicago, USA)
  • '18/08 International Bird Expo, (Vancouver, Canada)
  • '17/07 Pilates Empowerment Summit 2017 (Miami, USA)
  • '17/06 NSCA Japan Conference (Tokyo, Japan)
  • '17/03 JATO ATC Symposium (Tokyo, Japan)
  • Pilates Empowerment Summit 2015 (Miami,FL)
  • Pilates Empowerment Summit 2014 (Denver, CO)
  • NSCA Japan Conference 2012(Tokyo, Japan)
  • SPORTEC Expo 2011(Tokyo, Japan)
  • IDEA World Fitness Convention 2011 (Los Angeles, CA)
  • IDEA World Fitness Convention 2010 (Los Angeles, CA)
  • NATA Conference 2010 (Philadelphia, PA)
  • PBATS Conference 2010 (San Francisco, CA)
  • Inner IDEA Conference 2009 (Palm Springs, AZ)
  • NSCA SSTC 2009 (Nashville, TN, CA)
  • '08/03 IHRSA Trade Show 2008 (Los Angeles, CA)
Our Clients
  • PeakPilates (Venice, CA)
  • PerformBetter (Cranston, RI)
  • Medco Sports Medicine (Tonawanda, NY)
  • Athercare Fitness & Rehabilitation (Castro Valley, CA)
  • Mike Boyle's MBSC (Boston, MA)
  • Stacy McCarthy's YogaNamastacy.com (CA)
  • Zoey Trap's Pilates Solutions (USA)
  • Pilates on Fifth (New York City, NY)
  • MiraCosta College (CA)
  • Amazon.com
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB)
  • Boston Redsox (MLB)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (NBA)
  • Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)
  • Washington Wizards (NBA)
  • Arsenals (England Premier League)
  • Japan's Soccer National Team
  • Japan's Men's Volleyball National Team
  • Japan's Table Tennis National Team
  • Tokyo Yomiuri Giants (baseball)
  • Tokyo Yakult Swallows (baseball)
  • Chiba Lotte Marines (baseball)
  • Fukuoka Softbank Hawks (babeball)
  • Yokohama Baystars (Baseball)
  • Saitama Seibu Lions (baseball)
  • Rakuten Golden Eagles (baseball)
  • Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters (baseball)
  • Alvark Tokyo (Japan)
  • Ryukyu Golden Kings (Japan)
  • Chiba Jets (Japan)
  • Nagasaki Velca (Japan)
  • Kyoto Hanneriez (Japan)
  • Shibuya Sun Rockers (Japan)
  • Fukuoka Zepher (Japan)
  • Kumamoto Volters (Japan)
  • Ibaragi Robots (Japan)
  • Vissel Kobe (Soccer, Japan)
  • Kashima Antlers (Soccer, Japan)
  • Kashiwa RaySol (Soccer, Japan)
  • Tokyo Verdi (Soccer, Japan)
  • Kawasaki Frontale (Soccer, Japan)
  • Yokohama F. Marinos (Soccer, Japan)
  • Jubilo Iwata (Soccer, Japan)
  • Kyoto Sanga F.C. (Soccer, Japan)
  • Gamba Osaka (Soccer, Japan)
  • Sagan Tosu (Soccer, Japan)
  • Montedio Yamagata (Soocer, Japan)
  • JEF Chiba United (Soccer, Japan)
  • Shimizu S-Pulse (Soccer, Japan)
  • Fasiano Okayama (Soccer, Japan)
  • Tokushima Voltis (Soccer, Japan)
  • Roasso Kumamoto (Soccer, Japan)
  • Kagoshima United (Soccer, Japan)
  • Oita Trinita (Soccer, Japan)
  • TIPNESS (nationwide health club, Japan)
  • Konami Sports (nationwide health club, Japan)
  • Central Sports (nationwide health club, Japan)
  • Renaissance (nationwide health club, Japan)
  • Tokyu Sports Oasis (nationwide health club, Japan)
  • Anytime Fitness 24 (Japan)
  • Fit 365 (Japan)
  • JoyFit 24 (Japan)
  • FastGym24 (Japan)
  • Hotel New Otani (Tokyo)
  • Hotel Grand Padific Le Daiba (Tokyo)
  • RIHGA Royal Hotel (Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima)
  • Pilates Alliance (Tokyo)
  • NPO Japan Stretching Association
  • Runners (marathon magazine & shopping)
  • Tokyu Hands Department Store (Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka)
  • ISETAN Men's (most prestigous department store, Tokyo)
  • Catalog House (Catalogue shopping)
  • All Nippon Airways Trading (ANA Sky Shopping)
  • Club Business Japan
  • Panasonic Electric Workers Unions
  • Tokai University Judo Team (Japan)
  • Kokushikan University Judo Team (Japan)
  • Yokohama F. Marinos (Soccer, J1)
  • Jubilo Iwata (Soccer, J1)
  • Omiya Ardija (Soccer, J1)
  • Kyoto Purple Sanga (Soccer, J1)
  • Fukushima University Track & Field Team
  • Fujitsu Track & Field Team
  • NEC Green Rockets (Top Leaugue Rugby)
  • Rikkyo University
  • Ritsumeikan University
  • Hokusho University
  • The University of Electro-Communications
  • Komazawa Girls' University
  • etc.

Our Brief History

2006/05 Founded SANTEPLUS, Inc.
2007/07 TIPNESS, one of the largest nationwide fitness club in Japan, introduced Flexcushion for group lesson "Active Stretch" at all their 54 branches
2007/07 Runners, a well-known marathon magazine, reported on Flexcushion as one of 50 focused products & people in marathon world
2007/11 Nikkei Health, the leading magazine for health wrote 4 pages article about Flexcushion
2008/01

Flexcushion appeared in ANA SKY SHOP, Japan's airline company.

Japan's leading Judo team, Kokushikan & Tokai University, introduced Flexcushion

2008/03

Flexcushion exhibited at IHRSA 2008 Trade Show in San Diego

DVD-Video "Stretch & Exercise with Flexcushion" launched

2008/04 Professional Sumo Bout "Takasago" and "Tamanoi" started using Flexcushion
2008/06 Nao Sakata (President & Founder) teached at Rikkyo University Entrepreneurship class
2008/10 Professional Soccer Team in Japan (J1), Pro Ski team started using the Flexcushion
2008/12 Norika Fujiwara, a Japanese super famous actress introduced Flexcushion as her favorite equipment in the fashion magazine "Grazia" and "VoCE".
2009/01 Exhibited at NSCA SSTC Conference in Nashville, TN
2009/03 Teacher Training Course for "Yoga with Flexcushion" started in Japan, with Takako Yamada, Master Trainer for Yoga
2009/03 "Yoga with Flexcushion" demonstrated at JAFA forum Tokyo, Japan's biggest fitness convention
2009/08 "Pilates with Flexcushion" demonstraded at JAFA forum Yokohama by Kaori Yoshida, Japan's largest fitness convention
2009/09 Flexcushion sessions, "Pilates" by Katherine & Kimberly, "Yoga" by Laura Sachs, demonstrated at Inner IDEA Conference in Palm Springs, CA
2009/09 "Yoga with Flexcushion" demonstrated at Yoga Festa 2009 in Yokohama, the largest Yoga convention in Japan
2009/09 Zoey Trap (Peak Pilates Master Traine) did "Pilates with Flexcushion" workshop at the Peak Pilates Convention in Tokyo
2009/12 Flexcushion exhibited at Japan Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (JPBATS) in Hiroshima
2010/01 Flexcushion exhibited at MLB PBATS in San Francisco, CA
Tokyo Giants and its many players started to use Flexcushion
2010/03 SANTEPLUS, LLC established in California
Japan's largest newspaper "Yomiuri" reported Flexcushion as a selection by professionals
2010/06 Flexcushion exhibited at NATA Conference in Philadelphia, PA
2010/06 The first "Sumo Core Exercise" lesson in the United States at "THE INNERSPACE"in Avon, CT
2010/08 Flexcushion sessions demonstrated at IDEA World Fitness Convention in Los Angeles
Yoga by Stacy McCarthy, and Pilates by Katherine & Kimberly Corp
2011/01 Awarded "Product of the Year 2010 in Health & Fitness Industry" in Japan
2011/08 Flexcushion Group Exercises demonstrated by Zoey Trap (Pilates) and by Stacy McCarthy (Yoga) at IDEA World Fitness Convention 2011 in Los Angeles
2011/08 PerformBetter put Flexcushion in their catalogue
2011/12 Mike Boyle's MBSC (Boston, MA) started using Flexcushion. It is the leading functional training gym in USA
2012/01 Awarded "Product of the Year 2011 in Health & Fitness Industry" in Japan
2013/03 Developped and launched "KabukIGlasses" in Japan
2013/12 Exhibited at NSCA Japan Conference in Tokyo
2014/10 Sponsored Pilates Empowerment Summit 2014 in Denver, CO
2014/12 Moved our Headquarter from Tokyo to Kobe
2015/05 Exhibited Flexcushion at Pilates Empowerment Summit in Miami.
Moved our Global Headquarter from Tokyo to Kobe.
Debut of "KabukIGlasses" in United States at Met Opera Shop, and B&H Photo Video.
2016/05 NBA superstar LeBron James appeared on TV with Flexcushion during playoff games.
2016/10 Became a product handled by the leading American Pilates company PeakPilates.
Flexbarrel was introduced in the group class "Spine Adjustment SPINE CORRECTOR" at TIP.X.TOKYO in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro.
2016/12 Flexcushion and Flexbarrel were introduced at several National Training Centers.
2017/07 The group lesson "Active Stretch" at the major fitness club "Tipness" celebrated its 10th anniversary, maintaining high attendance over the years.
2017/10 The group lesson "Flex Stretch" started at the major fitness club "Central Sports".
2018/08 Exhibited at the International Bird Expo in Canada. Covered by local television and newspapers.
2018/10 The group lesson "Pelvic Flex" started at the major fitness club "Konami Sports Club".
2019/01 Developed and started selling the "Flexbarrel Arch".
2019/04 Flexcushion appeared on live TV on the bench of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
2019/05 Nao Sakata made a presentation of Flexcushion at the NBA Strength Coaches Association in Chicago.
2020/01 Exhibited at the JATO x PBATS conference in Tokyo.
2022/05 Began exporting to sales dealers and agents in Europe.
2022/08 Became an official supplier for the B.League's strong team, Alvark Tokyo.
2022/10 Arsenal's trainer in the English Premier League published the use of Flexcushion on Sakai-ku.
2022/11 The Japan Training Instructors Association featured SANTEPLUS in the monthly magazine.
2023/05 "KabukiGlasses" were given as gifts to the spouses of the heads of participating in the G7 Hiroshima Summit.
2024/01 Orix Buffaloes, all scouts of the professional baseball team introduced KabukiGlasses.
2024/03 Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, all scouts of the professional baseball team introduced KabukiGlasses.