Determining the Top of 5,000 Entrants: Japan's Largest Campus Contest Crowns Its Grand Prix Winners, Itsuki Harada and Kasumi Tsukishiro! ~Former Hinatazaka46 Member Ayaka Takamoto, Kuro-chan, and Junichi Tosaka Provide Serious Advice to the Winners!~

Themiss Co., Ltd. held the awards ceremony for 'CAMPUS BOYS 2026' and 'CAMPUS GIRLS 2026,' two of the largest campus contests in Japan to determine the 'No. 1 male and female university students,' on Friday, March 27, 2026. The Grand Prix for 'CAMPUS BOYS 2026' was awarded to Itsuki Harada, a 4th-year student at Senshu University from Kanagawa Prefecture, and the Grand Prix for 'CAMPUS GIRLS 2026' was awarded to Kasumi Tsukishiro, a 3rd-year student at Toyo University from Chiba Prefecture.

'CAMPUS BOYS 2026' and 'CAMPUS GIRLS 2026' are among the largest campus contests in Japan, collaborating with major talent agencies that represent many of the country's leading actors and celebrities to discover new talent destined for the spotlight. This year marks the 6th edition of 'CAMPUS BOYS' and the 3rd edition of 'CAMPUS GIRLS,' with total applications exceeding 5,000.

At the awards ceremony, 12 finalists who advanced through the preliminary rounds, semifinals, and finals from four blocks appeared on stage. In both the BOYS and GIRLS categories, 10 awards were presented, including the Grand Prix and Runner-up. The selection for the top two awards was determined by a comprehensive evaluation, including web and on-site voting results, live streaming points, interview screenings, and social media engagement. The event featured former Hinatazaka46 member Ayaka Takamoto as the cheering ambassador, comedian Kuro-chan of Yasuda Dai Circus as guest MC, and freelance announcer Junichi Tosaka as the main MC.

■ Teaching the Nervous Finalists! Ayaka Takamoto's Method for Not Getting Nervous: 'Dare to Have Unnecessary Confidence!'

Kuro-chan, serving as guest MC for the fifth time, and cheering ambassador Ayaka Takamoto appeared on stage. When asked how to avoid nervousness on a big stage, Takamoto reflected on her own experience, revealing her unique self-control technique: 'I used to get nervous, but I started thinking that nervousness is the root of failure. So, I decided to dare to have unnecessary confidence!'

Additionally, when asked about his student days in connection with the campus contest, Kuro-chan confessed, 'Actually, I was the student council president in junior high school.' He shared a bitter memory: 'Believing that working for everyone was important, I used student council funds to buy snacks for our meetings, which led to people around me causing an uproar, claiming it was embezzlement!'