Entrepreneurship Program for Junior and Senior High School Students "YOUNG IMPACT" to Introduce "Digital Creative Award 2026"

NANКАI Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Nobuyuki Okajima, hereinafter "NANКАI"), e-Stadium Co., Ltd. (Directors: Hiroshi Ikeda, Hiroyuki Kato, hereinafter "e-Stadium"), and Meta Osaka Co., Ltd. (President: Hideaki Mori, hereinafter "MetaOsaka") will establish the "Digital Creative Award 2026" in the third term of the "YOUNG IMPACT" entrepreneurship program for junior and senior high school students, hosted by Meta Osaka. This award will recognize young people who tackle social issues with digital technology.

In addition, NANКАI and e-Stadium, who are promoting the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA" to evolve Namba into a center for next-generation entertainment, will participate as special partners of "YOUNG IMPACT." NANКАI will provide venue sponsorship for the "YOUNG IMPACT" final competition, as well as serve as a judge and presenter for the "Digital Creative Award 2026." e-Stadium will serve as a judge for the award.

Background for the Establishment of the "Digital Creative Award"

Under the Greater Namba Vision, which aims to create the Namba of the next generation, the NANКАI Group has been promoting the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA" with MetaOsaka and others since February 2025. This concept aims to evolve Namba into a world-class next-generation digital entertainment city by utilizing digital technologies such as XR and esports, while inheriting the history of Namba as a city that has flourished through entertainment.

The "Digital Creative Award," to be newly established under this concept, will call for submissions of works using digital technology, including games, AI, XR, web applications, video, and music, on diverse themes such as education, disaster prevention, tourism, diversity, and regional revitalization.

This award was established to discover the human resources who hold the key to realizing this concept, specifically next-generation digital talent who can solve social issues and captivate people in extended spaces, and to provide a stage for new talent to take flight from Osaka/Namba. Furthermore, considering the current limited number of teenagers active in the digital field, the age limit has been expanded to under 29 to recruit a wide range of young creators. This award also inherits the "Metaverse Creative Awards 2025 EXPO," an event that attracted approximately 15,000 visitors at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.

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 winners will be decided, and the awards ceremony will be held on November 21 (Sat) at Namba SkyO Convention Hall (Chuo-ku, Osaka).

Digital Creative Award 2026 Project Overview

Title

YOUNG IMPACT ~Digital Creative Award 2026~

Eligibility

Under 29 years old

Entry Deadline

September 30, 2026 (Wed) 23:59

How to Enter

Via dedicated form: https://forms.gle/sFJVeUpAou9KoxTe8

Awards Ceremony

November 21, 2026 (Sat) 13:00-17:00 Namba SkyO Convention Hall

Organizer

<Planning and Operation> Meta Osaka Co., Ltd.

Special Partners

<Venue Sponsorship, Judges, Presenters> NANКАI Co., Ltd.

<Judges> e-Stadium Co., Ltd.

Official Website

https://youngimpact.global/

In May 2025, "Metaverse Creative Awards 2025 EXPO" was held at EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai

What is "YOUNG IMPACT"?

"YOUNG IMPACT" is a program hosted by Meta Osaka that nurtures junior and senior high school student entrepreneurs (STARs) aged 10-18 who tackle social issues. The first term was held in October 2025 on the stage of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The winners receive support from approximately 20 business leaders (DREAM PARTNERS). The entry period for the third term (2026 fiscal year) is from May 28 (Thu) to July 19 (Sun), followed by preliminary rounds in August and main rounds in September, with the winners decided at the final competition on November 21 (Sat).

The participating NANКАI Group promotes the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA" and has been working to nurture next-generation talent for the WEB 3.0 era through initiatives such as the vocational experience event "e-Sports Game Creator Academy" (organized by Izumisano City). Against this backdrop, sharing the same aspirations, NANКАI and e-Stadium will participate as special partners from this year, agreeing with the significance of holding "YOUNG IMPACT."

Representative Comments

Comment from Takahiro Otsuka, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Head of Business Strategy Division, NANКАI Co., Ltd.

In April 2026, our group will spin off its railway business and change its trade name to NANКАI Co., Ltd., embarking on a new journey. Under the new structure, we are focusing on "creating new businesses (exploring the future)" in addition to our railway and real estate businesses, promoting "urban development" that enhances regional value, and since 2025, we have been working to promote the "Digital Entertainment City Concept NAMBA." The future of Namba, evolving through digital technology, will be shaped by the young creators of the next generation. That is why we are participating in "YOUNG IMPACT," which supports teenagers tackling social issues, as a special partner, and will serve as a judge and presenter for the "Digital Creative Award 2026." We eagerly await the opportunity to take the first step together, allowing young people's aspirations and creativity to spread from Namba to the world.

Comment from Hiroshi Ikeda, Chairman and Representative Director, e-Stadium Co., Ltd.

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 will shape the future with society. We encourage participants to boldly express their unique ideas and expressions, without being constrained by experience or achievements. We sincerely hope that your challenges will create new industries and cultures, and become a significant step towards taking flight from Namba to the world.

Comment from Hideaki Mori, President and Representative Director, Meta Osaka Co., Ltd.

I have advocated for "making Osaka the most exciting city in the world" and have created a stage for children to pursue their dreams. "YOUNG IMPACT" is a project where adults sincerely 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, NANКАI Co., Ltd. and e-Stadium Co., Ltd., leading local companies, have joined as special partners. The fact that local representative companies are seriously engaging with the challenges of children will be a great source of confidence for teenagers. We will create the first step from Namba, where the aspirations of young people will drive Japan's future for the next 100 years.

Company Overview

NANКАI Co., Ltd.

Representative: President and CEO Nobuyuki Okajima

Head Office Location: 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 Co., Ltd.

Representative: Chairman and Representative Director, CVO Hiroshi Ikeda, President and Representative Director, CEO Hiroyuki Kato

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

Business Activities: e-Sports facility development/operation, Event planning/operation, IP content business, Education business

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

Meta Osaka Co., Ltd.

Representative: President and Representative Director Hideaki Mori

Location: 27F, Namba SkyO, 5-1-60 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka

Business Activities: Development and production of original metaverses; Advertising 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/