Children's Ideas Can Change the Future! 9th "Sustainable Town" Painting Contest Now Accepting Entries

Shin Energy Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture / President: Masahiro Inui / hereinafter referred to as "the Company") is accepting entries for the 9th "Sustainable Town" Painting Contest for preschoolers and elementary school students from July 1, 2026 (Wed) to August 31, 2026 (Mon).

The theme for this year is "Sustainable Town ~ The Future Vision of My Town ~." The contest aims to provide participating children with an opportunity to foster compassion and imagination for their local communities by considering "What can I do to make my town more attractive?" and "How can we work towards coexistence between people and nature?" As with the 9th contest, illustrator Mr. Seizo Watase, who has ties to Kobe City, will serve as a special judge, and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will provide its endorsement.

Overview

Theme: "Sustainable Town ~ The Future Vision of My Town ~"

Prompt: How can you make your town more attractive by utilizing its proud features? Please choose one of the following four prompts (1-4) and express your ideas freely.

1. Energy 2. Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries 3. Nature 4. Community

Entry Period: July 1, 2026 (Wed) - August 31, 2026 (Mon)

Eligibility: (1) Grades 1-3 Division (2) Grades 4-6 Division (3) Preschool Division

Special Website: https://www.symenergy.co.jp/contest9th/

Our Aspirations

The Company aims to realize a regional society where future children can live with peace of mind.

We hope that this contest will serve as an opportunity for children to think about the future of the towns they live in, such as what constitutes a sustainable town and what kind of industries and communities we want to pass on to the next generation.

Seizo Watase (Apple Farm Co., Ltd.) https://apple-farm.co.jp/

Born in Kobe City in 1945, raised in Kokura, Kitakyushu City. After graduating from Waseda University, he began creating manga part-time while working as a salaried employee. He became an independent manga artist at the age of 40. His representative works include "Heart Cocktail" and "Natsu." He has also created many cover illustrations for "Seikatsu Pia," CD jackets, and posters for government agencies and corporations. He is currently serializing "Natsuno no Kyo" in Shogakukan's Big Comic Zokan, managing the YouTube channel "Seizo Watase Channel," and holding exhibitions of his work nationwide. Honorary Director of the Kitakyushu City Manga Museum and recipient of the 2026 Kitakyushu Citizen's Honor Award.

Shin Energy Co., Ltd. https://www.symenergy.co.jp/

Head Office

Kobe International House 14F, 8-1-6 Miyukidori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Representative

Masahiro Inui, President

Established

December 1996

Business Activities

Regional production & engineering centered on energy ■ Renewable Energy Development Business ■ New Electric Power Business