70th Obunsha National Academic and Science Competition Call for Entries: New 'Startup Category' Added
Obunsha has launched the call for entries for the 70th National Academic and Science Competition. Featuring 13 categories, including a newly established 'Startup Category,' the competition invites students to submit ideas for regional revitalization and educational business, aiming to foster entrepreneurship. The deadline is September 24, 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 1, 2026 at 12:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 1, 2026 at 12:26 (26 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 1, 2026 at 18:35 (6h 8m after Collected)
Obunsha Co., Ltd. (Shinjuku, Tokyo; President: Hideki Kumekawa) has officially begun accepting entries for the 70th National Academic and Science Competition, also known as 'Gakkon,' as of June 1. Established in 1957 to promote academic, scientific, and literary development among youth, the competition has become a staple for elementary, middle, and high school students to showcase their summer projects and extracurricular achievements. The competition now features 13 categories, including Science, Humanities, Art, Literature, and the newly added 'Startup Category' under the Innovation genre. Top winners will receive prestigious awards such as the Prime Minister's Award, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award, and the Minister of the Environment Award. To commemorate the 70th anniversary, the official website has been renewed. The Startup Category encourages students to propose business ideas related to regional revitalization, social/environmental issues, and future education, fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among the youth.
FAQ
Can students in Taiwan apply?
The competition is open to elementary, middle, and high school students in Japan, as well as those enrolled in Japanese schools abroad.