The 21st Aidem Photo Contest 'Working Figures' - Accepting Photo Submissions from Elementary, Middle, and High School Students Capturing Adults at Work

Aidem Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Ryo Kabayama) is holding a photo contest titled 'Working Figures' for elementary, middle, and high school students, and is accepting photo submissions on the theme of 'the appearance of working adults in our surroundings' until Wednesday, September 16th.

The 'Working Figures' photo contest aims to create opportunities for children to think about working. As a company that develops businesses in job advertisements and recruitment, we have been conducting this contest as part of our social and cultural activities since 2005 to convey the wonder and importance of work to the children who will lead the next generation. In 2025, we received 8,199 submissions from all over the country.

Feeling the Importance of Work Through the Photography Process

'Working Figures' is a contest where elementary, middle, and high school students submit photos capturing adults at work. In photography, one earnestly faces the subject to capture the perfect moment. The main objective is for students to learn a part of their view on occupations and work ethic by observing the serious gaze and attitude of working people towards their jobs during this process.

Schools Adopting it as Part of 'Career Education'

The total number of submissions from the 1st to the 20th contest exceeds 125,000. Many schools participate as a group, with some incorporating it into summer homework as part of 'career education,' and others using it for presentations during integrated studies time as 'information education.'

A Total of 49 Works Selected for Awards, Including Grand Prix and Runner-up

The selection committee consists of Ms. Etsuko Enami (photographer), Mr. Tetsuro Shimizu (photographer), Ms. Hiromi Gomi (picture book author), and Ms. Yuki Yoshida (Executive Officer and Integrated Editorial Center Director of Asahi Student Newspaper). From all submissions, they will select a 'Grand Prix' and 'Runner-up' from each of the elementary, junior high, and high school divisions, for a total of 49 award-winning works including special prizes, excellence awards, and honorable mentions. We have also established a Group Encouragement Award to recognize school-wide efforts and a School Application Award for schools that submit a large number of entries. After the final selection in early October and the announcement of winners in mid-November, an awards ceremony is also scheduled for Saturday, November 28th.

21st Aidem Photo Contest 'Working Figures' Overview

- **Contest Name:** 21st Aidem Photo Contest 'Working Figures' - **Photo Theme:** The appearance of working adults in your surroundings (permission from the subject is required for shooting) - **Eligibility:** Elementary, middle, and high school students (3 divisions) - **Application Rules:** Fill in your name, gender, age, address, phone number, school name, grade, application category, and a description of your work on the dedicated application form, attach an L-sized printed photo, and submit. (Both camera and smartphone are acceptable). Or apply via the website (https://www.aidem.co.jp/csr/photocontest/). *Unpublished photos taken by the applicant after October 2025. *Application forms can be downloaded from the inquiry contact or the contest website. - **Application Deadline:** Postmarked by Wednesday, September 16, 2026 - **Selection Committee:** Etsuko Enami (Photographer) / Tetsuro Shimizu (Photographer) / Hiromi Gomi (Picture Book Author) / Yuki Yoshida (Executive Officer, Integrated Editorial Center Director, Asahi Student Newspaper) - **Winner Announcement:** Mid-November 2026 - **Exhibition of Winning Works:** Thursday, November 26 - Wednesday, December 9, 2026 at Aidem Photo Gallery 'Sirius' (2F Aidem Headquarters Building, 1-4-10 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line 'Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station' 2 minutes walk) - **Awards Ceremony:** Saturday, November 28, 2026 at a hotel in Tokyo (planned) - **Sponsors:** FUJIFILM Imaging Systems Co., Ltd. / Canon Marketing Japan Inc. - **Supporters:** Asahi Elementary School Newspaper / Asahi Middle and High School Student Newspaper / National High School Cultural Federation Photography Department - **Submission Address:** 〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku-ku, Shinjuku 1-4-10, Aidem Photo Contest Secretariat - **Inquiries:** Aidem Inc. Photo Contest Secretariat, TEL/0120-938-989 (Reception hours/Weekdays 10:00-17:00), Email/photocontest@aidem.co.jp

Awards - **Grand Prix:** 1 from each division, Certificate and supplementary prize (book card worth 50,000 yen) - **Runner-up:** 1 from each division, Certificate and supplementary prize (book card worth 20,000 yen) - **Group Encouragement Award:** 1 school each from elementary, junior high, and high school, Certificate and supplementary prize (gift certificate worth 30,000 yen) - **School Application Award:** Multiple schools from those who submitted a large number of entries, Certificate and supplementary prize (gift certificate worth 10,000 yen) - **FUJIFILM Special Award:** 1 from the elementary school division, Certificate and supplementary prize (instant camera 'Cheki') - **Canon Special Award:** 1 from the junior high school division, Certificate and supplementary prize (Canon mini photo printer)