Participating in the 'Noto Region High School Entrepreneurship Education Business Plan Presentation'

Astena Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Satoshi Setoguchi) participated in the 'Noto Region High School Entrepreneurship Education Business Plan Presentation,' held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Rapia Kashima (Nakanoto-cho, Kashima-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture), as part of the 'Entrepreneurship Education Promotion Project in Collaboration with Companies' promoted by the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education.

Since the 2021 fiscal year, our company has been engaged in entrepreneurship education for high school students in the Noto region. This project aims to support students in developing problem-solving skills and civic pride by challenging them to create business plans that address local issues, ultimately empowering them to proactively choose to create their own workplaces and continue living in the Noto region in the future. At this presentation, students from seven high schools in the Noto region presented their business plans aimed at solving local challenges.

■ Overview of the 2025 Fiscal Year Initiative

Continuing from the previous year, seven high schools in the Noto region (Iida, Noto, Anamizu, Wajima, Monzen, Shika, and Rokusei High Schools) participated in the 2025 fiscal year, with representative teams selected from each school working on their business plans.

While the program was previously held as a one-week intensive in-person session, the 2025 fiscal year shifted to a year-round format centered on online activities. Despite the communication challenges inherent in online collaboration, the extended timeframe allowed for multiple fieldworks, resulting in more persuasive business plans from some schools.

At the presentation, each school's representative team showcased the results of their six months of activity. The audience showed great interest in the business ideas, which were refined through the unique perspectives and free-thinking approach of the high school students as they delved deep into local issues.

■ Event Highlights

《Judges》

Keitaro Iwaki (Director, Astena Holdings Co., Ltd.)

Toru Kawaba (General Manager, Investment Division, QR Investment Co., Ltd.)

Mikiko Nagai (Representative Director, Hokuriku Mirai Fund)

Akihiro Nomura (Professor, Faculty of Frontier Engineering / Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kanazawa University)

Tadateru Mitani (President and Representative Director, Mitani Sangyo Co., Ltd.)

《Award Results》