[Event Report] 94% of Children Want to Experience It Again! "Kodomo Expo mini Nagoya" Attracts Approximately 1,000 Visitors

The Kodomo Expo Executive Committee (Kodomo Candy Inc., Meta Osaka Inc.) held "Kodomo Expo mini Nagoya," an event to support children's dreams, on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Aeon Mall Nagoya Noritake Garden (Nishi-ku, Nagoya City). This inaugural event in Nagoya attracted approximately 1,000 visitors. 94% of children who participated in the job experience responded that they "want to experience it again," and 60% of parents reported feeling "changes in their children," indicating a positive response to improving children's proactiveness and self-esteem through experience.

## Project Background: Tackling Regional Issues through Collaboration with Local Businesses

According to a Nagoya City survey (*1), 75.6% of children aged 10 to 17 have self-esteem (like themselves), but negative responses increase among high school students, dropping to 69.5% for young adults (18-39 years old). On the other hand, 84% of elementary school students responded that they "want to do something to improve their community and society." Children have aspirations, but they tend to lose confidence as they grow, and opportunities for experience are currently lacking.

This first-time event in Nagoya was realized through collaboration with community-rooted businesses. Chuo Publishing Holdings Co., Ltd., headquartered in Nagoya and engaged in educational businesses, participated as a partner company, offering an "Today's Teacher is You!" English conversation instructor experience, leveraging their experience in operating the English conversation school "Peppy Kids Club." Additionally, Funk Kid, a global dance studio based in Nagoya, was responsible for planning and operating the stage, creating a performance venue where children could shine as protagonists.

Kodomo Expo aims to improve the self-esteem of children in the region by providing an experiential platform where children can be the main characters and "discover and support their dreams."

*1: Nagoya City "FY2023 Nagoya City Children, Youth, and Child-Rearing Families Awareness and Living Conditions Survey" (March 2024), "Nagoya City Children and Youth Excitement Plan 2029 (2nd Nagoya City Children and Youth Plan)" formulation materials, Creative Commons License Attribution 4.0 International

## "Kodomo Expo mini Nagoya" Event Outline

Event Name: Kodomo Expo mini Nagoya
Date and Time: March 20, 2026 (Friday/Holiday) 10:00~