The Nippon Foundation presents "Takuji Izawa's [MEGURI2040] Onboard Quiz Tour: A Challenge from the Future of the Sea" to be held in Okayama on Sunday, July 5th – Applications open from Friday, April 3rd! 100 junior and senior high school students to be invited by lottery!
The Nippon Foundation will host an onboard quiz tour for junior and senior high school students in Okayama on July 5th, featuring Takuji Izawa of QuizKnock, as part of the "MEGURI2040" autonomous shipping project. The event aims to foster interest in the maritime industry by engaging participants in quizzes and puzzles about the future of the sea on an autonomous ship. Applications began on April 3rd.
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- 📰 Published: April 4, 2026 at 01:00
The Nippon Foundation (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Takeju Ogata) will host "The Nippon Foundation presents Takuji Izawa's [MEGURI2040] Onboard Quiz Tour: A Challenge from the Future of the Sea" on Sunday, July 5th, aboard the "Olympia Dream Seto" departing from and arriving at Shin-Okayama Port in Okayama Prefecture. This event is part of the "MEGURI2040" project, which aims to realize autonomous shipping and stable transportation of people and goods. Applications for participants will open at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 3rd.
This event is a quiz rally specifically for junior and senior high school students, conducted aboard the autonomous ship "Olympia Dream Seto." Takuji Izawa of the intellectual entertainment group "QuizKnock" will appear at the event. Through a stage appearance by Mr. Izawa and quizzes and puzzles on board, participants will experience the profound depths of ships and the sea. Special experiences are also planned for correct answerers. We look forward to your applications to make it a memorable summer learning experience.
Additionally, a new TV commercial featuring Takuji Izawa will begin airing in the Okayama and Kagawa areas from Monday, April 6th.
## Featured Event Content
- Board the autonomous ship "Olympia Dream Seto"!
The passenger ship "Olympia Dream Seto," which connects Okayama and Shodoshima, is the world's first regularly scheduled commercial vessel for general passengers to utilize autonomous navigation functions (Level 4 autonomous driving*). In this event, you will actually board the ship and embark on a quiz tour! Enjoy a new maritime travel experience.
- (Level 4 autonomous driving*: A technical stage where fully autonomous operation is partially possible. It refers to completely autonomous driving that does not require human intervention in specific areas or conditions. (The definition of autonomous driving for ships is currently under discussion by the International Maritime Organization [IMO] and others. The definition for automobiles is provisionally applied for convenience.))
Reference: https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001226541.pdf
- Solve mysteries while exploring the ship with Takuji Izawa!
On board, challenge various quizzes and puzzles scattered throughout the ship. Furthermore, Mr. Izawa is scheduled to appear on stage. Special experiences will also be prepared for top performers.
- Event Outline
Date and Time: Sunday, July 5, 2026, scheduled departure 12:30 PM - return 2:20 PM
Location: Chartered vessel Olympia Dream Seto (Departure/Arrival: Shin-Okayama Port)
Participation Fee: Free *Transportation costs to the venue will be at your own expense
Number of Participants: 100 people
Eligible Participants: Junior high school 1st year to high school 3rd year students nationwide (12-18 years old) and one companion
## Application Details
▼Click here for application details▼
https://meguri2040.nippon-foundation.or.jp/
- Application Period:
From 10:00 AM on Friday, April 3, 2026, to 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Eligibility:
Those who meet all of the following conditions can apply.
- Junior high school 1st year to high school 3rd year students (12-18 years old)
- For those under 18 years old, parental consent is required for application.
- Applications are for pairs of 2 people. At least one applicant must be a junior or senior high school student (12-18 years old) at the time of application.
- There are no age restrictions for companions.
- Those who can participate on the day of the event.
- Those who agree that photos and videos of participants (including companions) taken or recorded by the Foundation on the day of the event may be used for all public relations activities of The Nippon Foundation.
- How to Apply:
Please fill out the necessary information on the application form for this event and submit your application.
## [MEGURI2040] Onboard Quiz Tour Event Inquiries
[MEGURI2040] Onboard Quiz Tour Secretariat
- Email address: [email protected]
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays *Open on July 4th and 5th, 2026)
- Secretariat establishment period: From 10:00 AM on Friday, April 3, 2026, to 5:00 PM on Friday, July 10, 2026
## About the New TV Commercial
To promote the onboard quiz tour, a new TV commercial featuring Takuji Izawa will start airing in the Okayama and Kagawa areas from Monday, April 6th. This commercial was produced to widely introduce The Nippon Foundation's autonomous shipping project "MEGURI2040" to children and to encourage their interest in the ocean and the shipping industry. In the video, Mr. Izawa acts as the quiz master, thinking together with children about the future of the sea. The innocent reactions of the children challenging the quizzes are also a highlight.
## About "MEGURI2040"
"MEGURI2040" is an autonomous shipping project promoted by The Nippon Foundation, aiming to automate 50% of domestic coastal vessels by 2040. Over 50 companies and organizations in Japan are participating, developing it as an all-Japan effort. Utilizing AI, IoT, image analysis technology, etc., it aims to reduce the burden on crew members and improve operational safety.
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/what/projects/meguri2040
## About The Nippon Foundation
Sharing pain, hope, and the future.
Since its establishment in 1962 as Japan's largest foundation, The Nippon Foundation has promoted activities in a wide range of fields, including children, people with disabilities, disaster relief, ocean affairs, and humanitarian aid, across races and borders, funded by grants from boat race proceeds.
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/
This event is a quiz rally specifically for junior and senior high school students, conducted aboard the autonomous ship "Olympia Dream Seto." Takuji Izawa of the intellectual entertainment group "QuizKnock" will appear at the event. Through a stage appearance by Mr. Izawa and quizzes and puzzles on board, participants will experience the profound depths of ships and the sea. Special experiences are also planned for correct answerers. We look forward to your applications to make it a memorable summer learning experience.
Additionally, a new TV commercial featuring Takuji Izawa will begin airing in the Okayama and Kagawa areas from Monday, April 6th.
## Featured Event Content
- Board the autonomous ship "Olympia Dream Seto"!
The passenger ship "Olympia Dream Seto," which connects Okayama and Shodoshima, is the world's first regularly scheduled commercial vessel for general passengers to utilize autonomous navigation functions (Level 4 autonomous driving*). In this event, you will actually board the ship and embark on a quiz tour! Enjoy a new maritime travel experience.
- (Level 4 autonomous driving*: A technical stage where fully autonomous operation is partially possible. It refers to completely autonomous driving that does not require human intervention in specific areas or conditions. (The definition of autonomous driving for ships is currently under discussion by the International Maritime Organization [IMO] and others. The definition for automobiles is provisionally applied for convenience.))
Reference: https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001226541.pdf
- Solve mysteries while exploring the ship with Takuji Izawa!
On board, challenge various quizzes and puzzles scattered throughout the ship. Furthermore, Mr. Izawa is scheduled to appear on stage. Special experiences will also be prepared for top performers.
- Event Outline
Date and Time: Sunday, July 5, 2026, scheduled departure 12:30 PM - return 2:20 PM
Location: Chartered vessel Olympia Dream Seto (Departure/Arrival: Shin-Okayama Port)
Participation Fee: Free *Transportation costs to the venue will be at your own expense
Number of Participants: 100 people
Eligible Participants: Junior high school 1st year to high school 3rd year students nationwide (12-18 years old) and one companion
## Application Details
▼Click here for application details▼
https://meguri2040.nippon-foundation.or.jp/
- Application Period:
From 10:00 AM on Friday, April 3, 2026, to 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 17, 2026
- Eligibility:
Those who meet all of the following conditions can apply.
- Junior high school 1st year to high school 3rd year students (12-18 years old)
- For those under 18 years old, parental consent is required for application.
- Applications are for pairs of 2 people. At least one applicant must be a junior or senior high school student (12-18 years old) at the time of application.
- There are no age restrictions for companions.
- Those who can participate on the day of the event.
- Those who agree that photos and videos of participants (including companions) taken or recorded by the Foundation on the day of the event may be used for all public relations activities of The Nippon Foundation.
- How to Apply:
Please fill out the necessary information on the application form for this event and submit your application.
## [MEGURI2040] Onboard Quiz Tour Event Inquiries
[MEGURI2040] Onboard Quiz Tour Secretariat
- Email address: [email protected]
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays *Open on July 4th and 5th, 2026)
- Secretariat establishment period: From 10:00 AM on Friday, April 3, 2026, to 5:00 PM on Friday, July 10, 2026
## About the New TV Commercial
To promote the onboard quiz tour, a new TV commercial featuring Takuji Izawa will start airing in the Okayama and Kagawa areas from Monday, April 6th. This commercial was produced to widely introduce The Nippon Foundation's autonomous shipping project "MEGURI2040" to children and to encourage their interest in the ocean and the shipping industry. In the video, Mr. Izawa acts as the quiz master, thinking together with children about the future of the sea. The innocent reactions of the children challenging the quizzes are also a highlight.
## About "MEGURI2040"
"MEGURI2040" is an autonomous shipping project promoted by The Nippon Foundation, aiming to automate 50% of domestic coastal vessels by 2040. Over 50 companies and organizations in Japan are participating, developing it as an all-Japan effort. Utilizing AI, IoT, image analysis technology, etc., it aims to reduce the burden on crew members and improve operational safety.
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/what/projects/meguri2040
## About The Nippon Foundation
Sharing pain, hope, and the future.
Since its establishment in 1962 as Japan's largest foundation, The Nippon Foundation has promoted activities in a wide range of fields, including children, people with disabilities, disaster relief, ocean affairs, and humanitarian aid, across races and borders, funded by grants from boat race proceeds.
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/
FAQ
What kind of event is the onboard quiz tour?
It's an experiential event for junior and senior high school students to ride the autonomous ship 'Olympia Dream Seto' and enjoy quizzes and puzzles about the future of the ocean with Takuji Izawa.
Is there a participation fee?
The event participation fee is free, but transportation costs to the meeting place must be borne by the participants.
Are there any application requirements?
Junior high school first-year to high school third-year students (12-18 years old) nationwide are eligible, and can apply as a pair with one companion. Parental consent is required.