The Kodomo Expo Executive Committee (Meta Osaka Inc., Kodomo Candy Inc.) held the event "Kodomo Expo mini Nagoya" on Friday, March 20, 2026 (national holiday), at Aeon Mall Nagoya Noritake Garden (Nishi-ku, Nagoya) to support children's dreams. This event, held for the first time in Nagoya, attracted approximately 1,000 visitors. 94% of children who participated in the work experience activities responded that they "want to experience it again," and 60% of guardians answered that they "felt a change in their child," indicating a sense of accomplishment in improving children's initiative and self-esteem through these experiences.

Kodomo Expo Executive Committee Chair Mari Tezuka (left) and children participating in the Dream Speech Contest

Planning Background: Tackling Regional Issues Through Collaboration with Local Companies

According to a survey by Nagoya City (※1), 75.6% of children aged 10 to 17 have high self-esteem (liking themselves). However, this percentage decreases among high school students with an increase in negative responses, falling to 69.5% among young people (18-39 years old). On the other hand, 84% of elementary school students responded that they "want to do something to improve the local community or society." Children have aspirations, but they tend to lose confidence as they grow, and there is a current lack of experiential opportunities.

The first-time event in Nagoya was made possible through collaboration with locally rooted companies. As a partner company, Chuo Publishing Holdings Co., Ltd., headquartered in Nagoya and engaged in the education business, participated and offered an "You be the Teacher Today!" English conversation instructor experience, leveraging their expertise from operating "Peppy Kids Club" English conversation schools. Additionally, Funk Kid, which operates a global dance studio based in Nagoya, was responsible for planning and managing the stage, creating a venue where children could shine as the main performers.

Kodomo Expo aims to improve the self-esteem of children in the region by providing a space for them to discover and be supported in their dreams, with children as the stars.

※1: Nagoya City "Fiscal Year 2023 Nagoya City Survey on Awareness and Living Conditions of Children, Youth, and Child-rearing Households" (March 2024), planning materials for "Nagoya City Children and Youth Exciting Plan 2029 (2nd Nagoya City Plan for Children and Youth)," 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, National Holiday) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Venue

Aeon Mall Nagoya Noritake Garden

(3-1-17 Noritake-shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture)

- 1F Center Court

- 2F Central North & Central South Areas

Organizer

Kodomo Expo Executive Committee (Meta Osaka Inc. · Kodomo Candy Inc.)

Sponsorship

Nagoya City Board of Education, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefectural Board of Education

Partner Companies

Chuo Publishing Holdings Co., Ltd., Peppy Kids Club

Number of Visitors

Approximately 1,000 people

Target Age

Preschoolers to Elementary School Students

Admission Fee

Free (some activities may have fees)

Official Website

https://kodomo-banpaku.com/

Program Details

(1) Children's Festival Booths & Kids' Manager Experience

This is a signature content of Kodomo Expo where children become managers of festival stalls, handling customer service and operations. On the day, 11 children served as managers, operating festival games such as shooting galleries, yo-yo fishing, and senbon kuji (thousand-needle lottery).

(2) Work Experience & Workshops

▪️ "You be the Teacher Today!" English Conversation Experience (Exhibitor: Peppy Kids Club) Children took on the role of English conversation teachers, providing mini English lessons to their guardians with the support of staff.

▪️ "Virtual Firefighter Experience" supervised by a former firefighter (Exhibitor: Meta Osaka) Using the popular gaming platform Roblox, this virtual firefighter experience was developed based on the realistic knowledge of former firefighters. Participants experienced the job of a firefighter in a digital space, including rescue and firefighting operations at simulated fire scenes.

▪️ Designer Experience (Exhibitor: Kodomo Candy) An experience where participants could design a one-of-a-kind original towel by choosing their favorite parts.

English Conversation Experience "You be the Teacher Today!" (Exhibitor: Peppy Kids Club)

Virtual Firefighter Experience supervised by a former firefighter (Exhibitor: Meta Osaka)

Designer Experience (Exhibitor: Kodomo Candy)

(3) Dream Speech Contest

Elementary school students nationwide were invited to submit their "future dreams" and "things they want to try," and selected children presented their ideas on stage. The Kodomo Expo Executive Committee provides ongoing support to help realize the dreams of the child who wins the Grand Prize. This time, three children participated, presenting dreams such as "I want to become a hero," "I want to become an idol," and "I want to become a Disney dancer."

(4) Challenge Mission & Kids' Bingo Tournament

This was an interactive event where participants took on missions with their parents or guardians while exploring the venue, and received a bingo card upon completion. Over 80 parent-child pairs participated, engaging in missions designed to foster communication. The event concluded with an exciting bingo tournament.

(5) Funk Kid Dance Performance

A dance performance by Funk Kid, which operates a global dance studio based in Nagoya. A total of 15 groups of children showcased energetic dance performances across three stages, livening up the venue.

Comment from Hidefumi Kai, Branch Manager of the Event Sales Department at Chuo Publishing Holdings Co., Ltd.

We consistently emphasize educational and growth support that empowers children to take confident steps forward. At Peppy Kids Club, we value opportunities for children to not only learn enjoyably but also to challenge themselves and gain successful experiences. During the English teaching experience at Kodomo Expo, we observed children developing confidence and courage by taking on the role of a teacher. The concept of "your lifelong friend who bestows magic upon you" refers to these positive changes and growth, which we consider invaluable assets for their future. We look forward to Kodomo Expo further developing as a place for children to take on challenges and foster the courage to take that first step.

Hidefumi Kai, Branch Manager of the Event Sales Department at Chuo Publishing Holdings Co., Ltd.

Comment from Kaori Obata, Representative Director of Funk Kid Co., Ltd.

The moment I first met Ms. Tezuka, I felt we shared the same desire to contribute to children's futures, and we hit it off immediately. At Funk Kid, we value nurturing each child's individuality through dance. At "Kodomo Expo mini Nagoya," we were able to see children shining as the main stars on stage, a platform for expression. We hope to continue creating events like this with Ms. Tezuka, where all children, regardless of their circumstances, can enjoy themselves equally.

Kaori Obata, Representative Director of Funk Kid Co., Ltd.

Comment from Mari Tezuka, Executive Committee Chair of Kodomo Expo

This first-time event in Nagoya was made possible through the cooperation of local companies such as Chuo Publishing Holdings and Funk Kid. The survey results, with 94% of children saying "I want to experience it again" and 60% of guardians reporting "I felt a change in my child," made me feel that holding this event was worthwhile. Nagoya City's survey shows that children's self-esteem declines with age. What "Kodomo Expo" aims to achieve is for the local community and companies to support children's dreams and provide continuous encouragement. We will continue to offer a place for children across Japan, including Nagoya, to discover their dreams.

Mari Tezuka, Executive Committee Chair of Kodomo Expo

What is "Kodomo Expo"? From Local Activities to the World. A Dream Support Project with Over 100,000 Cumulative Participants Nationwide

"Kodomo Expo" is an event aimed at helping children discover their own dreams and potential, and for families to witness their growth. It began in 2022, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted children's activities, with 128 dreams drawn by 12 children in the Executive Committee Chair Mari Tezuka's living room.

As of the end of January 2026, events have been held in various locations nationwide, including Osaka, Kobe, Aichi, Hokkaido, and Hiroshima, attracting a cumulative total of approximately 100,000 participants. In October 2025, it garnered significant attention at "EXPO2025 Osaka, Kansai Expo," attracting 24,000 visitors over two days. In 2026, international expansion is planned in 8 cities within Japan and for the first time in Malaysia and France.

About Meta Osaka

With the mission of "Making Osaka the Most Interesting City (Machi) in the World," Meta Osaka develops original metaverses on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite, and plans and operates events utilizing digital technology to address local social issues and revitalize the economy. They manage the "Metaverse Salon" at e-Stadium Namba Main Store within Namba Parks, and organize the "Kodomo Expo," which has drawn a cumulative total of approximately 100,000 participants nationwide. In collaboration with Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd. and e-Stadium Co., Ltd., they are promoting the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA" and challenging themselves with next-generation city development and entertainment utilizing AI and XR technologies, including projects like "X NAMBA" within this concept.

Company Overview

Company Name: Meta Osaka Inc.

Representative: Hideaki Mori Location: Namba SkyO 27F, 5-1-60 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka Established: September 1, 2023

Business Activities: Development and production of original metaverses / Advertising and consulting services utilizing metaverse-related technologies / Planning and operation of digital twin events (merging real and metaverse) / Consulting services for problem-solving and economic revitalization in local governments and regions Official Website: https://www.meta-osaka.co.jp/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: event