"Social Security Game" Receives Excellence Award at 2026 Consumer Education Materials Awards

Social Change Agency (Representative Director: Hokuto Yokoyama) announced that its experiential teaching tool, the "Social Security Game," won the Excellence Award in the "2026 Consumer Education Materials Awards" hosted by the National Institute on Consumer Education (NICE).

The "Social Security Game" is a card game designed to help users learn about available social systems and consultation services when facing life crises such as illness, unemployment, higher education costs, family caregiving, or housing issues.

Participants assume the roles of fictional characters and brainstorm which systems or support services are applicable to their specific hardships. The game aims to transform the perception of social security from something "irrelevant" to a "right that can be exercised when needed," fostering the ability to connect with necessary services.

In this year's awards, 47 materials submitted by government agencies, corporations, and NPOs were reviewed. The "Social Security Game" was among the 20 materials selected for the Excellence Award, specifically recognized as an experimental practice kit in the Consumer/NPO category.

Guided by the mission to "make social security a safety net in both name and practice," Social Change Agency focuses on social security education and system access support. Despite being vital for stability, these systems often fail to reach those in need due to lack of awareness, difficulty in finding consultation, or psychological resistance to applying.

The game was developed to address these barriers by providing a learning experience based on dialogue rather than one-way knowledge transfer. It is currently utilized in middle schools, high schools, universities, welfare professional training, and local government workshops.

About the Social Security Game:

The tool uses character cards, crisis cards, and item cards to help participants navigate life difficulties. Rather than memorizing names of laws, the structure encourages thinking about "where to go for help" and "what options are available for oneself or others."

Key Features:
- Learn about social security as a personal and relevant issue.
- Understand the link between hardships and specific consultation offices through gameplay.
- Lower psychological barriers to seeking help and utilizing support through dialogue.
- Applicable to school education, welfare training, and community learning sessions.