Teenage Business Contest Japan (TBCJ) 2026 Announced: Empowering Youth Innovation for Regional Revitalization

The Teenage Business Contest Japan (TBCJ), a business plan competition aimed at revitalizing regional economies and solving social issues through high school students’ initiatives, will hold its second national event. The contest calls for flexible and innovative business ideas from high school students across Japan to tackle serious challenges such as depopulation, labor shortages, and underutilized natural resources in rural areas.

Beyond a mere competition, TBCJ serves as a practical platform where the next generation of high school students can develop entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, and fundraising skills to create sustainable impact in local communities.

High school students may participate individually or in teams of up to four members.

The deadline for registration and proposal submission is Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with finalists to be announced on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

The final competition will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026, at EGG JAPAN in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Finalist teams will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas directly to industry leaders and local government officials. Outstanding proposals will receive total prize money in the hundreds of thousands of yen, along with support for fundraising to realize their projects.

【Award Categories】

Grand Prize: ¥300,000 Excellence Prize: ¥200,000 Encouragement Prize: ¥100,000 Finalist Prize (7 teams): ¥20,000 each

【Event Schedule】

Entry and proposal submission deadline: June 23, 2026 Finalist announcement: June 30, 2026 Final competition (final presentations): July 10, 2026 Venue: EGG JAPAN (Marunouchi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo)

For detailed guidelines and entry, please visit the official website (tbcj.net).

【Inquiries】

Organization: Teenage Business Contest Japan (TBCJ) Email: tbc.japan1@gmail.com Official Instagram: @tbc.japan Official Website: tbcj.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 18, 2026

Teenage Business Contest Japan (TBCJ) Returns for Second Annual National Competition to Drive Regional Revitalization Through Youth Innovation

TOKYO, JAPAN — The Teenage Business Contest Japan (TBCJ) has officially announced its second annual national event, inviting high school students across the country to propose creative, practical business plans aimed at tackling Japan's most urgent regional economic and social challenges.

Originally founded in 2025 by Millie Gan, TBCJ serves as a nationwide platform that transforms teenagers into active social entrepreneurs. The 2026 theme focuses directly on reversing economic, demographic, and social decline in local communities, addressing structural issues like rapid depopulation, shrinking workforces, and the underutilization of natural resources.

High school students can participate individually or in teams of up to four members. Proposals must be written in English, formatted between 1,500 and 2,000 words, and submitted along with registrations by the deadline on June 23, 2026. Following a thorough evaluation process by industry judges based on innovation, feasibility, and potential community impact, the finalists will be announced on June 30, 2026.

The live final contest will take place on July 10, 2026, at EGG Japan in Marunouchi, Tokyo. Finalists will have the unique opportunity to pitch their solutions directly to industry sponsors, corporate leaders, and local government officials. Winners will receive significant financial awards to help turn their conceptual business models into tangible realities, including a Grand Prize of ¥300,000, an Excellence Prize of ¥200,000, an Encouragement Prize of ¥100,000, and a Finalist Prize of ¥20,000 for up to seven teams.

Through mentorship, real-world business education, and corporate exposure, TBCJ bridges the gap between urban centers and rural areas, equipping the next generation with invaluable capital-raising skills, leadership experience, and collaborative networking opportunities.