【MEXT Policy Compliant】Japan's First "Next-Generation Regional Revitalization Entrepreneurship Education Key Hub School" Certification System Established

The General Incorporated Association Local WEB3 Collaboration Association (hereinafter referred to as "the Association") has established a new system for "Next-Generation Regional Revitalization Entrepreneurship Education Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Key Hub Schools" (hereinafter, "Key Hub Schools") in fiscal year 2026. This system aims to fundamentally transform the quality of "Comprehensive Study Time" in high schools across Japan and cultivate leaders who contribute value to real society.

This system is fully compliant with the "5-Year Startup Incubation Plan" and the entrepreneurship education promotion policy advanced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT). It aims to move beyond the "formalized inquiry learning (mere research-based learning)" that is currently a challenge in many educational settings. By introducing the know-how of the Association's ultra-practical program "REGION LINK College (RLC)," it supports students in using AI to solve regional issues through business methods, thereby achieving "social implementation."

Starting today, we are accepting applications for the recruitment and certification of "30 national hubs" as model schools that will lead next-generation education from public, private, and correspondence high schools nationwide. We will release our methodology, which boasts a "30% commercialization rate" significantly exceeding the industry average, to educational settings, and build a new standard model for "high school-university connection reform" that drives Japan from its local regions.

"4 Strategic Benefits" for Certified Schools

■ Bridging the "Last Mile of National Policy" with Private Sector Agility

In MEXT's "5-Year Startup Incubation Plan," entrepreneurship education for high school students is one of the most critical issues. However, educational settings face two barriers: a "shortage of instructors with practical experience" and the "absence of evaluation criteria."

This system defines that by bringing the Association's cultivated "30% commercialization rate"—a rigorous standard of real society—into the educational curriculum and certifying schools that meet it, it will bring "objective quality assurance" to Japan's inquiry-based learning. This is Japan's first attempt to publicly position schools themselves as "innovation hubs connected to the regional economy," rather than merely introducing external courses.

Schools that receive this certification can enjoy the following powerful resources free of charge (or at a special subsidized price), achieving a dramatic improvement in educational quality.

① Direct Link to University Admissions: "Activity Certificates" that embody high school-university connection reform

In comprehensive selection (formerly AO entrance exams) for difficult universities, "volunteering" or "research-based learning" alone is no longer sufficient for differentiation.

Overwhelming Evidence: The Association officially certifies that students "utilized AI and implemented social projects with a 30% commercialization rate methodology."

Portfolio Construction: Automatically builds logical and practical activity logs that catch the eye of university professors and admissions officers.

② Zero Burden on Teachers: "Accompanied Classes" led by professional instructors and AI

There is no need to trouble busy teachers.

No Class Preparation Required: Expert mentors lead all proceedings, both online and offline.

Teacher Training Effect: By observing professional guidance, teachers naturally improve their AI utilization skills and logical thinking instruction abilities.

③ Opening Regional Collaboration Fields: "Local Government/Corporate Package" without independent negotiation

The Association has already handled the "external negotiations" that are difficult for individual schools.

Field for Practical Experiments: Partnering local governments, including Kumamoto City, and local businesses are provided as fields for students' practical experiments.

Hub for Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration: Certified schools can utilize the Association's vast industrial network as their "own asset."

④ Visual Authority and Differentiation: Award of Official Certification Badge and Plaque

This differentiates schools from nearby institutions and serves as a powerful appeal to students and parents.

Official Certification Plaque: A certificate awarded that can be installed at school gates or entrances.

Digital Badge: An official logo for "Next-Generation Education Hub" that can be displayed on school websites and recruitment brochures.

Absolutely "No Cost" to Schools. An Educational Support Scheme Implementable with Zero Budget

This system adopts a unique scheme where society supports the challenges of each student, allowing for implementation with "completely zero budget" without any expenditure from the school side.

■ Absolutely "No Cost" to Schools

This program is implemented as an optional "extracurricular program" for students attending certified schools.

No Public Funds Expenditure Required: There is no need for schools to invest in facilities or secure a budget, allowing for introduction with minimal legal and accounting hurdles even for public schools.

Minimized Practical Burden: The Association's secretariat handles most of the recruitment activities and practical operations, enabling activities to start with minimal additional work for teachers.

■ Priority Allocation of "Educational Grant System (Scholarship Program)" Exclusive to Key Hub Schools

This is an exclusive financial support program that only students from the 30 certified schools can enjoy.

Reduced Financial Burden: The Association's unique scholarship scheme subsidizes part of the program tuition fees. This encourages motivated students.