10-18 year olds challenging social issues gather from across Japan; 'YOUNG IMPACT' entrepreneurship program 2nd term, preliminary screening starts
The Kodomo Expo Executive Committee announced that 25 entries were received nationwide for the second term of 'YOUNG IMPACT,' an entrepreneurship training program for 10-18 year olds challenging social issues. Preliminary screening via documents and videos is currently underway, with themes ranging from food loss to energy problems, and educational disparities.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 23:30
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The Kodomo Expo Executive Committee (Meta Osaka Co., Ltd. and Kodomo Candy Co., Ltd.), which supports children's challenges and growth nationwide, announced that 25 entries from across the country have been received for the second term recruitment of 'YOUNG IMPACT,' an entrepreneurship training program for young people aged 10-18 who challenge social issues. Preliminary screening through documents and videos is currently underway. Themes are diverse, including food loss, energy problems, educational disparities, and regional revitalization, with each participant attempting to shape their challenge to society based on their own original experiences.
YOUNG IMPACT 1st term final presentation (October 2025 at EXPO2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo)
Background of the Project
The Kodomo Expo Executive Committee hosts the 'Kodomo Expo' nationwide as a place for children to discover and challenge their dreams. The main content, the 'Dream Speech Contest,' has provided a platform for many elementary school students to articulate their dreams. Born from the activities of the Kodomo Expo, 'YOUNG IMPACT' is an entrepreneurship training program specifically for junior and senior high school students to concretely realize their dreams. Unlike traditional pitch contests that are 'just for presentation and then it's over,' this is a training program where business leaders provide accompanying support for one year after selection. In the first term, which launched in October 2025 at EXPO2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo, a middle school brother and sister who raised over 3 million yen through crowdfunding for refugee support, and a middle school student from a regional area challenging the world through game development, were selected. As the activities of the first term progressed, the second term expanded its target to 10-18 year olds, and recruitment began with an increased number of DREAM PARTNERS (mentors).
Challengers gathered from across Japan
*Only participants who have given consent from themselves and their guardians among the 25 entrants are listed. (In alphabetical order)
AYA | 18 years old (High School 3rd year) | Kanagawa Prefecture
A high school student who loves school lunches and investigated the reality of leftover food at a nearby elementary school. Realizing that prejudice against ingredients and aversion to their appearance cause leftovers, she is developing an original card game where players can happily learn about easily discarded ingredients using illustrated cards.
Comment from AYA:
“I want to reduce food loss caused by the appearance and prejudice of ingredients with the 'Leftover Nanjamonja Card Game'! I don't want to see milk thrown away without even a sip anymore.”
Ema Hosoi | 14 years old (Junior High 2nd year) | Tokyo
A 14-year-old junior high student who started her own company at the age of 10 and is now in her fifth fiscal year. She devised a portable garbage bag with a garbage bag inside a lantern, aiming to solve the problem of littering by foreign tourists with a Japanese-style design.
Comment from Ema Hosoi:
“I want to convey Japan's culture of 'taking trash home' to foreigners by making a lantern a portable garbage bag. I want to solve the problem of littering by foreigners.”
Kanon Yamamura | 17 years old (High School 2nd year) | Ibaraki Prefecture
As a 10th-term participant of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's public-private collaboration study abroad promotion program 'Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN,' she traveled to New Zealand and Nepal, conducting volunteer awareness surveys and hygiene education. After returning to Japan, she founded a student organization.
Comment from Kanon Yamamura:
“After returning to Japan, I founded the student organization 'volunshare,' realizing exchange-based volunteer activities with about 30 high school students participating. Moving forward, I want to create a system for high school students to easily challenge themselves with volunteering both domestically and internationally by recruiting sponsors while developing guide experience events based in Kansai.”
Genta Ogunan | 18 years old | Tokyo
He focuses on the feelings of loneliness and the difficulty of balancing studies experienced by students who challenge themselves. He is working to create an environment where students can challenge themselves with peace of mind through organizing events and community management.
Comment from Genta Ogunan:
“I want to resolve the dangers lurking behind students' challenges. Among students who are challenging themselves, there are problems such as neglecting their studies or experiencing feelings of loneliness.”
Hikari Joi | 18 years old (High School 3rd year) | Fukuoka Prefecture
A high school student who already operates a student-oriented media. She aims to eliminate information disparity in rural areas and expand support for junior and senior high school students to choose their own career paths.
Comment from Hikari Joi:
“I want to eliminate information disparity in rural areas by operating student-oriented media. I want to expand support for junior and senior high school students to choose their own career paths.”
Fuu Kanda | 17 years old (High School 3rd year) | Tokyo
From her original experience of seeing a large amount of weeds at her grandparents' house, she focused on the potential of weeds as an energy resource. She is currently working on writing a paper and is researching with a view to collaborating with experts.
Comment from Fuu Kanda:
“I want to utilize the large amount of weeds I saw at my grandparents' house as an energy resource. Eventually, I want to popularize the fuel I create and solve energy problems with weeds.”
Aika Murakami | 18 years old (University 1st year) | Hiroshima Prefecture
A first-year university student aiming for a children's hall where everyone, regardless of age or disability, can spend time comfortably. She envisions creating an environment where children themselves can 'choose and get involved.'
Comment from Aika Murakami:
“I want to provide a universal environment and create a place where all children can be themselves.”
YOUNG IMPACT 1st term final presentation (October 2025 at EXPO2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo)
Background of the Project
The Kodomo Expo Executive Committee hosts the 'Kodomo Expo' nationwide as a place for children to discover and challenge their dreams. The main content, the 'Dream Speech Contest,' has provided a platform for many elementary school students to articulate their dreams. Born from the activities of the Kodomo Expo, 'YOUNG IMPACT' is an entrepreneurship training program specifically for junior and senior high school students to concretely realize their dreams. Unlike traditional pitch contests that are 'just for presentation and then it's over,' this is a training program where business leaders provide accompanying support for one year after selection. In the first term, which launched in October 2025 at EXPO2025 Osaka/Kansai Expo, a middle school brother and sister who raised over 3 million yen through crowdfunding for refugee support, and a middle school student from a regional area challenging the world through game development, were selected. As the activities of the first term progressed, the second term expanded its target to 10-18 year olds, and recruitment began with an increased number of DREAM PARTNERS (mentors).
Challengers gathered from across Japan
*Only participants who have given consent from themselves and their guardians among the 25 entrants are listed. (In alphabetical order)
AYA | 18 years old (High School 3rd year) | Kanagawa Prefecture
A high school student who loves school lunches and investigated the reality of leftover food at a nearby elementary school. Realizing that prejudice against ingredients and aversion to their appearance cause leftovers, she is developing an original card game where players can happily learn about easily discarded ingredients using illustrated cards.
Comment from AYA:
“I want to reduce food loss caused by the appearance and prejudice of ingredients with the 'Leftover Nanjamonja Card Game'! I don't want to see milk thrown away without even a sip anymore.”
Ema Hosoi | 14 years old (Junior High 2nd year) | Tokyo
A 14-year-old junior high student who started her own company at the age of 10 and is now in her fifth fiscal year. She devised a portable garbage bag with a garbage bag inside a lantern, aiming to solve the problem of littering by foreign tourists with a Japanese-style design.
Comment from Ema Hosoi:
“I want to convey Japan's culture of 'taking trash home' to foreigners by making a lantern a portable garbage bag. I want to solve the problem of littering by foreigners.”
Kanon Yamamura | 17 years old (High School 2nd year) | Ibaraki Prefecture
As a 10th-term participant of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's public-private collaboration study abroad promotion program 'Tobitate! Study Abroad JAPAN,' she traveled to New Zealand and Nepal, conducting volunteer awareness surveys and hygiene education. After returning to Japan, she founded a student organization.
Comment from Kanon Yamamura:
“After returning to Japan, I founded the student organization 'volunshare,' realizing exchange-based volunteer activities with about 30 high school students participating. Moving forward, I want to create a system for high school students to easily challenge themselves with volunteering both domestically and internationally by recruiting sponsors while developing guide experience events based in Kansai.”
Genta Ogunan | 18 years old | Tokyo
He focuses on the feelings of loneliness and the difficulty of balancing studies experienced by students who challenge themselves. He is working to create an environment where students can challenge themselves with peace of mind through organizing events and community management.
Comment from Genta Ogunan:
“I want to resolve the dangers lurking behind students' challenges. Among students who are challenging themselves, there are problems such as neglecting their studies or experiencing feelings of loneliness.”
Hikari Joi | 18 years old (High School 3rd year) | Fukuoka Prefecture
A high school student who already operates a student-oriented media. She aims to eliminate information disparity in rural areas and expand support for junior and senior high school students to choose their own career paths.
Comment from Hikari Joi:
“I want to eliminate information disparity in rural areas by operating student-oriented media. I want to expand support for junior and senior high school students to choose their own career paths.”
Fuu Kanda | 17 years old (High School 3rd year) | Tokyo
From her original experience of seeing a large amount of weeds at her grandparents' house, she focused on the potential of weeds as an energy resource. She is currently working on writing a paper and is researching with a view to collaborating with experts.
Comment from Fuu Kanda:
“I want to utilize the large amount of weeds I saw at my grandparents' house as an energy resource. Eventually, I want to popularize the fuel I create and solve energy problems with weeds.”
Aika Murakami | 18 years old (University 1st year) | Hiroshima Prefecture
A first-year university student aiming for a children's hall where everyone, regardless of age or disability, can spend time comfortably. She envisions creating an environment where children themselves can 'choose and get involved.'
Comment from Aika Murakami:
“I want to provide a universal environment and create a place where all children can be themselves.”