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YEG BUSINESS EXPO 2025: Celebrating Young Entrepreneurs

On February 14, 2026, the YEG BUSINESS EXPO 2025 took place at Kumamoto Castle Hall in Kumamoto City, Japan. Organized by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Youth Division (commonly known as Japan YEG), this pivotal event aimed to foster new economic value through business presentations, networking, and learning among youth members from across the country.

A Gathering of Innovative Minds

The event attracted 229 members from various YEG chapters nationwide. It served as a dynamic platform for participants to exchange ideas about their new ventures and the growth of existing businesses. Many took the opportunity to present directly to investors and venture capitalists (VCs), creating an enriching environment for dialogue and potential collaborations.

The YEG BUSINESS EXPO is not a new concept; it has been held since 2022 to facilitate the sharing of business ideas and promote excellent products and services at a national level. This year's expo saw an innovative addition, enabling members to pitch their business plans directly to investors, thereby enhancing their ability to secure funding for expansion.

Showcasing Entrepreneurial Spirit

Simultaneously, the grand finale of the 23rd Annual Business Plan Contest was held. Participants presented their innovative business ideas before a panel of judges, including influential investors and VCs. The competition was structured into several key themes such as 'New Ventures', 'Existing Businesses', and 'International Business', focusing on region-specific challenges and initiatives aimed at revitalization.

Competing for the Future

In the first segment of the contest, fifteen motivated participants took the stage to deliver presentations on their business plans. The outlined strategies aimed to address local issues and promote growth within their communities. Following these presentations, the second segment featured poster sessions where participants engaged in one-on-one discussions with judges. This format allowed them to elaborate on their concepts passionately, explaining their unique offerings and future visions in detail.

Each booth sparked discussions on the rationale behind their business ideas and provided a constructive setting for the participants. The deep interactions with judges not only highlighted their projects but also encouraged entrepreneurs to rethink the viability of their proposals based on feedback collected during these sessions.

The Business Plan Contest is set to conclude with the national award ceremony, scheduled for February 27, 2026, in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, where the Grand Prize winner will be announced. Japan YEG remains committed to nurturing an environment where its members can continually challenge themselves, thus fostering the creation of businesses that transcend regional boundaries and cultivating future leaders who will play a significant role in the local economy.

About Japan YEG

Japan YEG, as a youth economic organization consisting of 417 chambers of commerce and industry across the country, aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of young entrepreneurs and successors through mutual learning and exchanges. Since its establishment on April 1, 1983, it has been dedicated to building thriving businesses and rich local communities, currently boasting approximately 32,000 members as of the end of May 2025.

For further inquiries, please contact:

• - Secretariat (inside the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Department)
• - Address: 4th Floor, Marunouchi Nijubashi Building, 3-2-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0005
• - Phone: 03-3283-7848

Conclusion

The success of the YEG BUSINESS EXPO 2025 reaffirms the importance of collaborative platforms for young entrepreneurs. By continuing to foster such events, Japan YEG plays a critical role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow and cultivating a vibrant economic landscape throughout the nation.