Final Selection Committee Members for "JCI JAPAN TOYP 2026," Youth Version of the National Honor Award, Announced

Junior Chamber International Japan (President: Taisho Kato, Location: VORT Hanzomon 7F, 2-12-1 Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter "Japan JC") is pleased to announce the decision of the 14 final selection committee members for "JCI JAPAN TOYP 2026" (The 40th Youth Version of the National Honor Award).

The final selection will be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Waterras Common Hall (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). The Grand Prix winner will be decided through presentations by the finalists and a Q&A session with the selection committee members.

## Final Selection Committee Members

*In no particular order*

- Eiji Shimizu (38th TOYP Grand Prix Recipient / CEO of OUI Inc. / Ophthalmologist, Doctor of Medicine)
- Tatsuro Hoshino (39th TOYP Grand Prix Recipient / Representative Director of NIJIN Co., Ltd.)
- Toru Furuhara (Project Leader, Co-creation Design Division, Asahi Yuas Co., Ltd. / Matsue Tourism Ambassador)
- Seon Okazawa (Boxing Japan National Team)
- Mako Shibuya (Yamagata Special Tourism / Tsuyahime Ambassador, Tsuruoka Hometown Tourism Ambassador)
- Socho Bubbley (Rikako Takeno) (Representative of CGO.com LLC)
- Yumi Inoue (Director, Executive Officer, IBM Japan)
- Hayato Yamauchi (Representative Director & CEO of Gab Co., Ltd.)
- Shoko Suzuki (Representative Director & CEO of NEWSTA Co., Ltd.)
- Yasuro Matsushima (Representative Director of Certified NPO Otera Oyatsu Club)
- Gaku Tomikawa (Representative Director of Tomikawa-ya Co., Ltd. / Author, Producer)
- Taro Yamada (Member of the House of Councillors)
- Junichi Kanda (Member of the House of Representatives)
- Kei Moriya (Vice President, Japan JC 2026)

## JCI JAPAN TOYP 2026 Selection Schedule

### [First Selection] (Document Review)

Saturday, April 4, 2026

### [Second Selection] (WEB Voting)

#### ■ JCI Members WEB Voting Period:

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - Tuesday, April 14, 2026

*Chairpersons of Regional Councils, Chairpersons of Block Councils, Presidents of Local Junior Chambers

#### ■ General Public WEB Voting Period:

Friday, April 17, 2026 - Friday, April 24, 2026

### [Final Selection] (Presentation Review)

Sunday, May 10, 2026, 13:00 - 17:00

Location: Waterras Common Hall (2-101 Kanda Awajicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

## Highlights of JCI JAPAN TOYP 2026

### ■ Grand Prize of up to 1.2 Million Yen Awarded

This year marks the 40th anniversary of this project, which has a proven track record, including producing "10 Outstanding Young Persons of the World*" from Japan last year. With increasing support and sponsorship each year, this year's Grand Prix sub-prize will be 1.2 million yen as activity support funds, an increase of 200,000 yen compared to last year.

*The 10 Outstanding Young Persons selected from representatives of various countries worldwide as excellent awardees in "JCI TOYP" hosted by JCI (Junior Chamber International).

### ■ New Follow-up System "SEED BRIDGE" Established for TOYP SEED Category

A new follow-up system "SEED BRIDGE" will be established for the TOYP SEED category, targeting young people under 20 years old. Beyond just receiving an award, this system aims to enrich post-award support, broaden the flexible ideas and activities of promising young people who will lead the future into society, and create a new virtuous cycle.

## About JCI JAPAN TOYP

JCI JAPAN TOYP, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is a project aimed at recognizing and honoring "The Outstanding Young Persons" who have the potential to make a sustainable impact on society in all fields, both domestically and internationally. By conveying their activities to the world, it seeks to create a new virtuous cycle in society. Please visit the official website below for more details.

### ■ JCI JAPAN TOYP Website

https://www.jaycee.or.jp/toyp/