Participated in the "Noto Region High School Entrepreneurship Education Business Plan Presentation"

ASTENA HOLDINGS Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Tomo Setoguchi) participated in the "Noto Region High School Entrepreneurship Education Business Plan Presentation" held on March 6, 2026 (Friday) at Lapia Kashima (Nakanoto Town, Kashima District, Ishikawa Prefecture) as part of the "Entrepreneurship Education Promotion Project in Collaboration with Companies" promoted by the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education.

Since fiscal year 2021, our company has been engaged in entrepreneurship education for high school students in the Noto region. This project aims to foster problem-solving skills and civic pride by challenging high school students to create business plans that aim to solve regional issues, thereby supporting them to proactively choose to create their own workplaces in the future and continue living in the Noto region. At this presentation, high school students from seven schools in the Noto region presented their business plans for solving regional issues.

■Overview of Initiatives in Fiscal Year 2025

In fiscal year 2025, continuing from the previous year, seven schools in the Noto region (Iida High School, Noto High School, Anamizu High School, Wajima High School, Monzen High School, Shika High School, and Kanishi High School) participated, and representative teams selected from each school worked on creating business plans.

While previous years involved a one-week intensive program conducted in person, fiscal year 2025 shifted to a year-round format primarily online. Despite the communication challenges inherent in online formats, the extended duration of the initiative allowed for multiple fieldwork sessions, resulting in increased persuasiveness of business plans for some schools.

At this presentation, representative teams from each school presented the results of their six-month activities. The venue garnered significant interest from the many business ideas developed with a unique perspective and free thinking of high school students, delving deeply into regional issues.

■Scene from the Venue on the Day

《Judges》 *Titles omitted, in Japanese syllabary order

Keitaro Iwaki (Director, ASTENA HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.)

Toru Kawaba (Investment Business Department Manager, QR Investment Co., Ltd.)

Mikiko Nagai (Representative Director, Hokuriku Mirai Foundation)

Akihiro Nomura (Professor, Faculty of Integrated Information Science, Institute of Science and Technology, Kanazawa University / Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, University Hospital)

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

《Award Results》

FAQ

What is the "Noto Region High School Entrepreneurship Education Business Plan Presentation"?

It is an event where high school students from the Noto region present their business plans aimed at solving regional issues, as part of an entrepreneurship education initiative promoted by the Ishikawa Prefectural Board of Education and supported by companies like ASTENA HOLDINGS.

What is ASTENA HOLDINGS' role in this initiative?

ASTENA HOLDINGS has been involved in entrepreneurship education for high school students in the Noto region since fiscal year 2021. They participate in events like the business plan presentation and support the students' development of problem-solving skills and regional pride.

What was the format of the entrepreneurship education program in fiscal year 2025?

In fiscal year 2025, the program shifted from a one-week intensive in-person program to a year-round format primarily conducted online. This allowed for more extended engagement and fieldwork opportunities.

What is the main objective of this entrepreneurship education program?

The program aims to foster problem-solving skills and civic pride among high school students by having them tackle regional issues through business planning. The ultimate goal is to empower them to create their own workplaces and choose to live in the Noto region in the future.

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