Call for Unique Notebook Collection Activities from Elementary Schools! 'Tsunage-loopa! Award 2026' Now Open for Applications

Kokuyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City / President: Hidekuni Kuroda) and Kaunet Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato Ward, Tokyo / President & CEO: Noritomo Miyazawa), an e-commerce service provider within the Kokuyo Group, are pleased to announce the launch of the 'Tsunage-loopa! Award 2026,' with applications opening on Monday, June 15, 2026. The award aims to support experiential environmental learning for children participating in the 'Tsunage-loopa!' program.

'Tsunage-loopa!' is an experiential environmental education program that collaborates with elementary schools and children to keep notebooks—among the first consumable items owned by children—from being discarded, instead continuously circulating them as resources. Since its launch in October 2023, a total of 397 schools and approximately 72,400 students nationwide have participated. To date, 5,156 kg (37,919 notebooks) have been collected, equivalent to approximately 1,011 kg-CO2 in CO2 reduction (*1).

The award is open to schools participating in 'Tsunage-loopa!' during the 2026 academic year, under the theme of expanding the program's reach. Schools are invited to submit reports detailing their notebook collection activities. Entries will be evaluated based on dedicated report forms, with a comprehensive assessment of the 'unique perspectives' and 'ability to connect people' demonstrated through creativity and ingenuity in the collection efforts. The most outstanding activity will receive the Grand Prix, and all participating schools in the award will receive commemorative gifts.

In the inaugural 2025 edition, numerous submissions were received from elementary schools across Japan, showcasing children's highly creative initiatives. The Grand Prix was awarded to Minamimachi Municipal Oomotonishi Elementary School, which devised unique incentives such as a raffle where three notebooks entitled participants to handmade manga or origami artworks, and 'no-homework vouchers,' successfully boosting notebook collection participation.

Details of the winning schools' activities and judging results for the 'Tsunage-loopa! Award 2025' can be viewed at the following link:

https://www.kaunet.com/kaunet/sustainability/tsunage-loopa-award-2025-results

'Tsunage-loopa!' endorses the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's (MEXT) 'Declaration on Promoting Children's Experiential Activities,' creating opportunities for children to learn through practice. Through this award, the program aims to foster awareness toward building a sustainable society and support the growth of the next generation. This year, Kokuyo and Kaunet will continue collaborating with schools nationwide to further advance efforts in protecting the Earth's environment by circulating resources together with children.

1. 'Tsunage-loopa! Award 2026' Application Guidelines

Application Period: Monday, June 15, 2026 – Monday, November 30, 2026 [Must arrive by deadline]

Eligibility: Schools participating in 'Tsunage-loopa!' during the 2026 academic year

How to Apply:

Visit the dedicated 'Tsunage-loopa! Award' website

(https://www.kaunet.com/kaunet/sustainability/tsunage-loopa-award), agree to the application terms, and submit your entry.

Awards and Prizes:

- Grand Prix (1 winner): Certificate, Trophy, Stationery Set

- Unique Idea Award (1 winner): Certificate, Trophy

- Collaboration Award (1 winner): Certificate, Trophy

All schools participating in the award will receive commemorative 'Tsunage-loopa! Award 2026' stickers, one per participant.

Judging Criteria: 'Unique perspectives' and 'ability to connect people' demonstrated through creative ideas and efforts in notebook collection activities

Results Announcement: Scheduled for March 2027

[References]

- Official 'SUTENAI CIRCLE' Website

Kokuyo's initiatives toward building a circular society, including this service, are being progressively announced on the following website:

https://www.kokuyo.co.jp/sustainability/sutenaicircle

- MEXT 'Declaration on Promoting Children's Experiential Activities'

https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/sports/ikusei/mext_00935.html

[Supplementary Note]

(*1) Figures as of end of May 2026. Calculated as: 5,156 kg collected × ~40% notebook disposal rate (based on Kokuyo research) × 0.49 kg-CO2 (3R unit calculation method: based on Ministry of the Environment)

*The information stated herein is current as of the date of announcement and is subject to change without prior notice. Please understand accordingly.