Gifu Entrepreneurship Program for FY2026 to be Held, Recruiting Junior and Senior High School Students in Gifu Prefecture

Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masakazu Kakunuki) has commenced participant recruitment for the "Gifu Entrepreneurship Program (Gifu EP)" for Fiscal Year 2026, hosted by Gifu Prefecture, serving as the operational secretariat. This program is implemented as part of the "Gifu Prefecture Entrepreneurship Cultivation Project," promoted by the prefecture. In its fourth year, the program is scheduled to be held at two venues, targeting junior and senior high school students residing or studying in the prefecture, providing an opportunity to cultivate the "entrepreneurial spirit" necessary to survive in a rapidly changing era. Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories has been entrusted with this project since its launch in FY2023 and has supported the program as the operational secretariat. We will continue to contribute to human resource development and industrial promotion in the region in collaboration with Gifu Prefecture. Official Website What is the Gifu Entrepreneurship Program (Gifu EP)? This is an entrepreneurship education program hosted by Gifu Prefecture, aimed at junior and senior high school students who will lead the future, with the goal of fostering local industry leaders and creating new industries and innovations that drive the economy. Participants will learn skills essential for the modern workforce, such as identifying everyday issues, creative problem-solving, and communication through cooperation with others, thereby developing the "ability to live in the coming society" needed regardless of their chosen career path. Program Flow This is an approximately 8-hour program where participants work in teams. With support from entrepreneurs and university students, they will experience a simulated company launch, including research, financing, planning, sales, accounting, and review, all within a single day. By trial and error towards the success of their own businesses alongside peers from different schools, participants will develop the ability to understand societal mechanisms and solve problems. 1. Decide roles within the group and establish a company. 2. Conduct research to solve customer needs and problems. 3. Experience negotiating loans from a bank. 4. Cooperate as a group to bring ideas to life and create added value. 5. Do not give up until the end and sell all products. 6. Analyze discrepancies between plans and actual results and reflect on the activities together. Program Provided and Supervised by: Self Wing Inc. © Self Wing Inc. Recruitment Overview Target Audience: Junior and senior high school students residing or studying in Gifu Prefecture *Students enrolled in junior high schools, the latter stage of compulsory education schools, high schools, colleges of technology (years 1-3), and special needs schools (junior high and high school departments). Participation Fee: Free Capacity: Approximately 30 participants per venue (lottery) Dates and Venues: September 12 (Saturday) 10:00 - 18:30 [Tajimi Venue] Yamaka Manabi Park (Tajimi City Learning Center) 1-55 Toyooka-cho, Tajimi City, Gifu 507-0034 *Approximately 5 minutes walk from the south exit of JR Tajimi Station. Bicycle parking and car parking available. September 13 (Sunday) 10:00 - 18:30 [Gifu Venue] Heartful Square G 1-10-23 Hashimoto-cho, Gifu City, Gifu 500-8521 *Approximately 2 minutes walk from JR Gifu Station, approximately 5 minutes walk from Meitetsu Gifu Station. Paid parking and bicycle parking available. Application Deadline: August 20 (Thursday) 12:00 Lottery Result Announcement: 1st Round: July 21 (Tuesday) *Lottery results for applications received by July 20 will be announced. 2nd Round: August 21 (Friday) - September 3 (Thursday) *Lottery results for applications received after July 21 will be announced. Details and Application Method for this Program Please visit the Gifu Entrepreneurship Program (Gifu EP) official website. ■ Contact Point for Inquiries Regarding This Program Gifu Prefecture Entrepreneurship Cultivation Project Office (within Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc.) E-Mail: gifu-entre@lab-kadokawa.com ■ What is Entrepreneurship Education? Entrepreneurship education is not just a special education for entrepreneurs and managers. It is an educational method that cultivates the abilities necessary to live in the coming era, such as the power to create new value through collaboration with others, as an independent individual with high aspirations and motivation. ■ About Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. Kadokawa ASCII Research Laboratories, Inc. leverages its expertise gained from media operations and content production to engage in a wide range of businesses, including research, consulting, marketing, business solutions, publishing, and educational support. By comprehensively utilizing its content, media, and research capabilities, the company addresses the challenges of its clients, including corporations, local governments, and public offices. Business Activities: Media operations, research and consulting, various marketing, solution business, publishing, educational support, etc. Official Website: https://www.lab-kadokawa.com/