What Social Value Does 'No Commuting' Create? ZEN University's Scholarship Students to Present Achievements on June 26

ZEN University will hold a presentation event on Friday, June 26, 2026, showcasing the one-year achievements of students under its unique 'Special Scholarship Support Program.' Supported by the Nippon Foundation, this program leverages the distinctive advantages of online education—learning without geographical constraints and abundant discretionary time—to support students who demonstrate outstanding activities outside academia. Selected students receive an annual grant of 500,000 yen (up to 1,000,000 yen in exceptional cases) to advance their initiatives.

Five scholarship recipients will take the stage to present how they utilized the funds and the results achieved over the past year. Guests including Junpei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, and Gomi Hayakawa, CEO of Nakayoshi Co., Ltd., will provide commentary.

The event will be live-streamed on YouTube LIVE and Niconico Live Broadcasting—viewers are encouraged to tune in.

【Event Overview】

・Date and Time: Friday, June 26, 2026, 17:00–18:30

・Guests: Junpei Sasakawa (Chairman, Nippon Foundation), Masato Wakahayashi (President, ZEN University), Gomi Hayakawa (CEO, Nakayoshi Co., Ltd.) ※Names without honorifics

・Featured Students:

① Kazuka Imura: An independent game developer whose first indie game surpassed 200 downloads

② Rio Ohashi: A student pursuing dual enrollment at Trinity College Dublin (Medical School), Ireland

③ Kapono Sosuke Fukuda: A Japanese wing foil athlete aiming for the 2032 Olympics

④ Masato Aho: An AI researcher and developer who discovered a differential-free AI algorithm and founded a company in his 20s

⑤ Gendo Kinoshita: An e-sports athlete contributing to industry growth through community management and mentoring

・Streaming URLs: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/ueBf42QhpLs Niconico Live: https://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv350578218

・Event Website: https://zen.ac.jp/tuition/scholarship02/presentation_2025

【Detailed Activities and Achievements of the Five Scholarship Students】

① Independent game developer who achieved over 200 downloads with first indie game

Name: Kazuka Imura (ZEN University, Year 2)

Motivated by the desire to create games that support people, Imura developed her first game independently. The debut title surpassed 200 downloads, reaching a wide audience. Leveraging the flexibility of online university life, she used her abundant free time not only for game development but also for theater and other creative pursuits. She will share her journey and insights from this transformative year as a creator.

② Student pursuing dual enrollment with Trinity College Dublin (Medical School), Ireland

Name: Rio Ohashi (ZEN University, Year 2) ※Participating online

Ohashi is simultaneously enrolled at ZEN University and Trinity College Dublin’s prestigious medical school in Ireland. Over the past year, she has focused on the core themes of 'healthcare' and 'internationalism.' Her research on 'AI integration in school health checkups' has been selected for the Nippon Foundation’s HUMAI program for two consecutive years. Additionally, she was selected as an executive committee member for the 78th Japan-U.S. Student Conference and will travel to three U.S. cities this summer to engage in dialogue with American students—emerging as a next-generation global healthcare leader.

③ Japanese wing foil athlete aiming for Olympic participation in 2032

Name: Kapono Sosuke Fukuda (ZEN University, Year 2)

A top-tier athlete competing in wing foil and SUP surfing on the world stage. Wing foil is a marine sport anticipated for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. While building a track record through national selection trials and international competitions, Fukuda also organizes kids’ schools and experience sessions. He will share his journey toward the Olympic dream while advancing youth development and marine sports promotion.

④ AI researcher who discovered a differential-free AI algorithm and founded a company in his 20s

Name: Masato Aho (ZEN University, Year 2)

Aiming for real-world implementation of next-generation AI models, Aho is engaged in both AI research and entrepreneurial activities. He discovered the 'AP Method,' a novel learning algorithm that enables training of logic-circuit-type neural networks without using calculus. He also founded MagicDelta Inc. and is actively submitting to international conferences and seeking funding.

⑤ E-sports athlete contributing to industry growth through community management and mentoring

Name: Gendo Kinoshita (ZEN University, Year 2)

An active e-sports athlete who placed 6th nationally in professional tournaments. Alongside competitive success, he incorporated his e-sports team to secure sponsorships. He also manages a community server enabling fan-player interaction, serves as a commentator for university tournaments, and coaches high school teams—actively contributing to community development.

❙ About ZEN University

ZEN University leverages cutting-edge IT technology to provide higher education opportunities to all. Its sole faculty, the Faculty of Intelligent Information Society, offers interdisciplinary education that cultivates essential literacies for thriving in a rapidly changing society. For more information, visit ZEN University’s website or request a brochure.

ZEN University Official Site: https://zen.ac.jp/

Request Latest Brochure: https://zen.ac.jp/form