New Physical Education 'Youth Fit Mates' for 300,000 Correspondence High School Students, Recruiting 40 First-Term Students Nationwide

VIVOWA Inc. (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, CEO Hiroki Yamauchi), which operates education, health, and community businesses for young people, primarily correspondence high school students, will officially launch 'Youth Fit Mates,' a fitness program designed as a 'new physical education' to change this reality, on Monday, June 1, 2026. We are recruiting 40 first-term students nationwide. Participation is free.

**The 'Exercise Gap' for approximately 300,000 Correspondence High School Students**

New correspondence high schools and support schools are continuously being established.

Approximately 300,000 students attend correspondence high schools nationwide, accounting for one in ten high school students. The diversification of learning environments is a positive trend.

However, there is an often-overlooked issue within this trend.

One such issue is the decrease in opportunities for exercise.

Lack of commuting habits / Few opportunities for practical physical education / No school club activities — these three 'exercise gaps' are not a matter of individual choice but a problem of societal infrastructure deficiency. We believe this leads to a decline in future physical strength and self-efficacy.

**Completely Free, Camera OFF OK, Accessible from Anywhere in Japan**

*Photo of participants after trial exercise*

From June, we will begin recruiting for a new online fitness program for high school students.
Participants will aim to naturally acquire 'confidence-building physical strength' while enjoying weekly online exercise sessions (1-3 times/week) with trainers and peers, moving from a state of insufficient exercise.

* **Opening Date:** Monday, June 1, 2026
* **Target:** High school students nationwide (including junior high school sections)
* **Participation Fee:** Completely free
* **Format:** Zoom online (1-2 times/week, 30-minute sessions)
* **Features:** Camera OFF OK, early exit OK, psychological safety prioritized
* **Capacity:** 40 students (1st term)
* **Application Deadline:** Sunday, May 25, 2026

One session follows the flow of Check-in → Warm-up → Strength training → Aerobics (boxing, dance, etc.) → Cool-down → Reflection → Group praise time. Anyone can start in a space as small as one tatami mat.

With three cultural rules: 'Happy Face,' 'Don't compare with others,' and 'Cheer on,' we create an environment where even those who are not good at exercise can continue with peace of mind.

**Features of Youth Fit Mates**

▶ **Professional Expert Team + Mentors Accompany You: This is not 'just fitness,' but a new physical education.**
Experts in mind, body, and nutrition will accompany you.

* **Fitness:** Keita Minagawa (Professional trainer active for over 10 years in NY/LA, from cutting-edge Equinox)
* **Community Building:** Hiroki Yamauchi (VIVOWA CEO / Former Kadokawa Dwango Gakuen)
* **Support:** Team of certified psychologists, registered dietitians, and other specialists.

Furthermore, university student mentors, primarily graduates of correspondence high schools, will exercise alongside participants and support their continued exercise and reflection.

We cover all three domains of WHO's definition of 'health' (physical, mental, social). We aim for participants to reach a level where they can 'feel confident in their physical strength in daily life' within two months.

▶ **Data-driven Personal Support**
Exercise, diet, stress, and sleep data are recorded for each class. At the end of the month, an exercise achievement report is shared, and participants receive advice from trainers based on the data.

▶ **Certified Completion Certificate to Prove 'Physical Strength' to Society**
Participants who meet certain conditions will receive a 'Certified Completion Certificate' from trainers and VIVOWA. This can be used as objective proof for further education or employment, demonstrating to society that correspondence high school students 'have sufficient physical strength.'

▶ **Not just an exercise program, but a lifelong community**
What Youth Fit Mates values most is 'having fun' and 'growing with friends.' After classes, participants encourage each other on Discord, and we've received reports of participants meeting outside the program. We are confident that a 'lifelong community' is being formed here.

**Over 100 Sessions of Experience / Participant Voices**

VIVOWA has conducted trials with correspondence high school students for five months. Over 100 sessions have been held, with more than 300 cumulative participants, and no injuries reported. We believe our program is unique as a safe and enjoyable exercise program that can be done at home.

* **Number of sessions conducted:** Over 100
* **Cumulative participants:** Over 300
* **Satisfaction:** 4.70 / 5
* **Injury reports:** Zero

**Changes in participating students**

(Examples): Plank from 10 seconds to 1 minute in 1 month / A student with almost no exercise habits completed a 3km run / A student who couldn't wake up in the morning can now wake up at a fixed time.

▶ **Participant Comment**

"Having friends to exercise with and encourage each other helps me continue. I've started exercising outside of class too." (Female)