Middle and High School Entrepreneurship Program "YOUNG IMPACT" to Establish "Digital Creative Award 2026"

Meta Osaka Inc. (CEO: Hideaki Mori, hereinafter "Meta Osaka") will establish the "Digital Creative Award 2026" in the third term of its entrepreneurship program for middle and high school students, "YOUNG IMPACT," to recognize young people who tackle social issues with digital technology. In addition, NANKAI Corporation (President: Nobuyuki Okajima, hereinafter "NANKAI"), which promotes the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA" to evolve Namba into a hub for next-generation entertainment, and e-stadium Inc. (CEOs: Hiroshi Ikeda, Hiroyuki Kato, hereinafter "e-stadium") will participate as special partners for "YOUNG IMPACT." NANKAI will provide venue sponsorship for the final competition to be held on November 21 (Sat) at Namba SkyO Convention Hall (Chuo-ku, Osaka), and will also provide judges and presenters for the "Digital Creative Award 2026." e-stadium will serve as a judge.

Background for the Establishment of the "Digital Creative Award"

Digital technologies such as AI have become commonplace, and it is now an era where even young people can deliver their ideas to the world. However, there are still insufficient places to discover and nurture such talent. According to IPA's (Information-technology Promotion Agency, Japan) "DX Trends 2025," 85.1% of Japanese companies report a shortage of digital human resources. There is a strong demand to nurture the next generation of talent from an early age.

Therefore, "YOUNG IMPACT" has established the "Digital Creative Award 2026" to recognize young people who tackle social issues with digital technology. This award will call for submissions of works using digital technologies such as games, AI, XR, web applications, video, and music, on diverse themes including education, disaster prevention, tourism, diversity, and regional revitalization. This award also inherits the "Metaverse Creative Awards 2025 EXPO," which attracted approximately 15,000 visitors at the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

The stage is Namba, Osaka, where the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA" is being promoted in collaboration with NANKAI, e-stadium, and others. This concept aims to evolve Namba into a world-class next-generation digital entertainment city by leveraging digital technologies such as XR and esports, as a town development suitable for the WEB3.0 era, while inheriting the history of Namba, which has flourished through entertainment. Furthermore, the NANKAI Group has consistently contributed to nurturing young people who will lead the WEB3.0 era through initiatives such as the "Esports Game Creator Academy" hosted by Izumisano City, which allows children to experience being game creators as one of their career options. The shared vision of both companies and the philosophy of "YOUNG IMPACT" led to this participation as special partners.

The entry period is from today, June 30 (Tue), to September 30 (Wed). After judging by a team of experts in each field, the award-winning works will be decided, and an awards ceremony will be held on November 21 (Sat) at Namba SkyO Convention Hall (Chuo-ku, Osaka).

In May 2025, the "Metaverse Creative Awards 2025 EXPO" was held at EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Representative Hideaki Mori (left) takes a commemorative photo with the winners of the "Metaverse Creative Awards 2025 EXPO."

Click here to enter

What is "YOUNG IMPACT"?

"YOUNG IMPACT" is a program to nurture entrepreneurs (STARs) among middle and high school students aged 10-18 who tackle social issues. The first term was held in October 2025 on the stage of EXPO 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Selected participants receive support from approximately 20 business leaders (DREAM PARTNERS). Currently, for the third term (FY2026), after the entry period starting in May, preliminary rounds in August, and main rounds in September, the winners will be decided at the final competition on November 21 (Sat).

Project Overview

Title

YOUNG IMPACT ~Digital Creative Award 2026~

Target Audience

Under 29 years old

*As the number of teenagers active in the digital field is still limited, this award extends the target age to under 29 to widely recruit young creators.

Entry Deadline

September 30, 2026 (Wed) 23:59

Entry Method

Via dedicated form

Awards Ceremony

November 21, 2026 (Sat) 13:00-17:00

Namba SkyO Convention Hall

Organizer

<Planning and Operation> Meta Osaka Inc.

Special Partners

<Venue Sponsorship, Judges, Presenters> NANKAI Corporation

<Judges> e-stadium Inc.

Official Website

https://youngimpact.global/

Comments from Representatives

Comment from Takahiro Otsuka, Managing Executive Officer, Head of Business Strategy Division, NANKAI Corporation

Our group will begin a new chapter in April 2026 by spinning off our railway business and changing our trade name to NANKAI Corporation. Under the new structure, we are focusing on "creating new businesses (exploring the future)" in addition to our railway and real estate businesses, promoting "town development" that enhances regional value, and since 2025, we have been promoting the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA." The future of Namba, evolving through digital technology, will be carried by the young creators of the next generation. That is why we are participating as a special partner in "YOUNG IMPACT," which supports teenagers tackling social issues, and will serve as judges and presenters for the "Digital Creative Award 2026." We eagerly await the opportunity to take the first step together, allowing the aspirations and creativity of young people to spread from Namba to the world.

Comment from Hiroshi Ikeda, Chairman and Representative Director, e-stadium Inc.

Since its founding, e-stadium has been committed to connecting people through esports and creating an environment where new challenges can emerge. Today, the scope of these challenges extends beyond games to all creative fields such as video, design, XR, and AI.

The "Digital Creative Award 2026" is a project to connect the talent and passion of creators who shape the future with society. We encourage everyone to boldly express their unique ideas and expressions, regardless of their experience or achievements. We sincerely hope that your challenges will create new industries and cultures, and become a significant step towards soaring from Namba to the world.

Comment from Hideaki Mori, Representative Director, Meta Osaka Inc.

With the goal of "making Osaka the most exciting city in the world," I have created a stage for children to pursue their dreams. "YOUNG IMPACT" is a project where adults seriously support the aspirations of 10-18 year olds who tackle social issues. In its third term, we are establishing the Digital Creative Award as a platform for young talent who aim to change the world with the power of digital technologies such as games and XR. This time, NANKAI Corporation, which is evolving Namba into a next-generation city, and e-stadium have joined us as special partners. The fact that local leading companies are seriously engaging with the challenges of children will be a great source of confidence for them. The aspirations of young people will drive Japan 100 years from now. We will create the first step towards that from Namba.

Company Overview

NANKAI Corporation

Representative: Nobuyuki Okajima, President and CEO

Head Office: 2-1-41 Shikiitsuhigashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka

Business Activities: Real estate development, real estate leasing, other businesses

Official Website: https://www.nankai.co.jp/

e-stadium Inc.

Representatives: Hiroshi Ikeda, Chairman and CVO; Hiroyuki Kato, President and CEO

Head Office: Namba Midosuji Center Building 10F, 4-4-4 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka

Business Activities: Esports facility development/operation, event planning/operation, IP content business, education business

Official Website: https://estadium.co.jp

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 agency and consulting services utilizing metaverse-related technologies; planning and operation of digital twin events (fusing real and metaverse); consulting services for problem-solving and economic revitalization for local governments and regions

Official Website: https://www.meta-osaka.co.jp/