Empress's Cup The 30th Inter-Prefectural Womens Ekiden organized by JAAF(Japan Association of Athletics Federations), was started in 1983 and has been sponsored by Murata Machinery since 1989.

As Japan is made up of 47 prefectures, 47 teams from　each　prefecture compete in the championship. Each team consisting of 9 runners run 42.195 kilometers in 9 stages. This is one of the biggest event of womens runners across the country.

Though it was the coldest day this winter and the race was held in light snow, many people cheered on the sidelines.Murata Machinery's name, as a sponsor, appeared on all runners, number bibs who took part in this race.

President Daisuke Murata presented the Murata Award for runners