Tokyo Commences Public Recruitment for "Fiscal 2026 Entrepreneurship Education Program for Elementary and Junior High School Students" to Support Implementation in Metropolitan Schools

Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President: Masakazu Kakinuki) will begin accepting applications for the "Fiscal 2026 (2026) Entrepreneurship Education Program for Elementary and Junior High School Students" targeting elementary and junior high schools in Tokyo, starting Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories has been commissioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to operate the "Entrepreneurship Education Promotion Project for Elementary and Junior High Schools" since fiscal year 2021, serving as its administrative secretariat. Along with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs, the company is working on this project with the aim of fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in the children who will lead the next generation. What is Entrepreneurship Education? Entrepreneurship education is not a special type of education required only for entrepreneurs or business owners. It is an educational method for developing the skills necessary to live in the coming era, such as the ability to create new value while collaborating with others as independent individuals with high aspirations and motivation. The Philosophy of the National Curriculum Standards and the Skills Fostered by Entrepreneurship Education The current National Curriculum Standards aim to foster the "zest for life" (living power) balanced in knowledge, moral character, and physical health. Entrepreneurship education shares its direction with the development of skills required for the coming era, such as "problem finding and solving capabilities," "creativity," and "sensitivity, compassion, motivation, and the ability to accept diversity." By promoting this educational approach, it is believed that it will contribute to enriching independent and collaborative learning aimed at discovering and solving problems. By simulating the process from setting up a hypothetical company to closing accounts, it is expected to improve entrepreneurial spirit (challenge spirit, creativity, inquisitiveness) and entrepreneurial qualities/abilities (information gathering/analysis, judgment, execution, leadership, communication). Application Outline 1. Support for Implementing the Entrepreneurship Education Program In implementing and conducting the entrepreneurship education program in classes or other school activities, we support schools over two fiscal years, from examining the content through preparation and implementation. Fiscal 2026 In preparation for implementing the program in the following year, we will support the formulation of specific implementation programs by listening to each school's educational objectives, timing of implementation, and other requests, and by having the secretariat prepare draft instructional guidelines. Fiscal 2027 We will support the implementation based on the formulated program. Application Period: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to Friday, November 13, 2026 Application Conditions: 1) Must be an elementary school (grades 4 to 6) or junior high school in Tokyo. *Both public and private schools are eligible. 2) A structure must be in place that allows faculty and staff to actively participate in the program. 3) Internal agreement must be reached within the school regarding receiving support from this program. 4) The school must plan to implement the program during periods of integrated study or other classes in fiscal 2027. Number of Schools Recruited: Approximately 10 schools planned (on a grade-level basis) *Selected schools will be determined in December after a document screening process by experts and others. *Selected schools will be announced on the project's official website. *In principle, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government will cover the costs required for classes and other program activities, but schools may be asked to cover minor preparation materials or other expenses. To help applicants deepen their understanding of the program, Zoom briefing sessions will be held as follows: Session 1: Friday, July 10, 2026, 15:30–16:30 Session 2: Friday, September 18, 2026, 15:30–16:30 Session 3: Friday, October 9, 2026, 15:30–16:30 *Participation in the briefing session is not mandatory for applying to this program. Please refer to the project's official website for past case studies. - Fiscal 2022 Digest Video - Past Case Studies 2. Entrepreneur Lectures (On-Demand Classes) In order to create opportunities in school education for students to learn about entrepreneurship as a future career option, we dispatch entrepreneurs and business managers to give lectures in classes. After hearing the preferences of the applying school, the secretariat will propose entrepreneurs or managers who can deliver the lectures (the Tokyo Metropolitan Government covers dispatch costs). Application Period: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to Friday, January 29, 2027 Application Conditions: Must be an elementary school (grades 4 to 6) or junior high school in Tokyo. *Both public and private schools are eligible. Number of Schools Recruited: Up to 30 schools (on a first-come, first-served basis) Details and Application Methods for the Entrepreneurship Education Program Implementation Support, Project Briefing Sessions, and Entrepreneur Lectures Please check the official website of the "Entrepreneurship Education Program for Elementary and Junior High School Students": https://kigyouka-kyouiku.tokyo/ Consultation Desk for Faculty and Staff We accept consultations (via phone and email) from teachers and staff who are considering applying, regarding the implementation effects and case studies of entrepreneurship education. If detailed explanations are needed, school visits can also be arranged. Administrative Secretariat for the Entrepreneurship Education Promotion Project for Elementary and Junior High Schools (Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc.) Phone: 03-5840-7603 (Weekdays 10:00–17:00) Email: kigyouka-kyouiku@lab-kadokawa.com