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Challenge Award 2025: Ideas for Fukushima's Environmental Future

The Ministry of the Environment, in partnership with Sankei Shimbun, has initiated an exciting opportunity for young thinkers across Japan. From July 18, 2025, they will be accepting entries for the Challenge Award 2025, which invites students to express their visions and ideas related to the theme, "Fukushima: Towards a Sustainable Future".

This award aims to foster connections and spark innovative ideas among youth, particularly in light of the ongoing journey to recover from the devastating effects of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. The program was launched in 2020 and has already garnered notable participation, with over 331 submissions in the previous year alone.

Call for Submissions

The submission categories for the 2025 award include:
1. Essays and Presentations
2. Art Posters

The competition is open to students from middle schools to universities, and group submissions are also welcomed. The evaluation of the submissions will be based on criteria such as originality, creativity, and the potential contribution to Fukushima.

Essay and Presentation Categories

• - Middle School Division: Participants are invited to submit essays (approximately 1,200 words) focusing on how they envision changing Fukushima's environment for the better and contributing to its recovery and hopeful future.
• - High School and University Divisions: Students can present their proposals through presentation materials (eight A4-sized pages, including cover). Emphasis will be placed on the accuracy of information, reliability, innovation, and the effectiveness of the presented ideas.

Notably, the 2024 Environment Minister’s Award for the high school division is awarded to Tomohiro Murakami from Rakunan High School for his presentation titled "A Future Energy Revolution Starting from Fukushima"—a sustainable vision for an ethical city.

In the university category, a collective of students working on an "Original Workshop on Decontamination Soil" received the same prestigious recognition.

Art Poster Category

Art posters, measuring between A3 and B2, are also being accepted from all participant divisions. Each poster must include a title and a brief explanation of fewer than 100 characters. Past award winner concepts can be referenced.

An example from last year includes Hakura Mutou from Fukushima Prefectural Fukushima West High School, who received the Environment Minister’s Award for her poignant piece, "Next".

Awards and Deadline

The awards will recognize the Best Submission, which will receive the Environment Minister Award, while other notable contributions will earn accolades like the Fukushima Governor's Award and the Fukushima Education Committee Chairman's Award. Award winners will also be invited to a guided tour in Fukushima as a special bonus.

The awards ceremony will take place in March 2026, with a submission deadline set for November 16, 2025. For those interested in entering, detailed guidelines and entry forms can be accessed on the dedicated website: Challenge Award 2025 Special Site.

Through initiatives like the Challenge Award 2025, the Ministry of the Environment continues to inspire the next generation of leaders to think critically about sustainability and contribute to the long-term revitalization of Fukushima. Let's come together and foster innovative solutions for the future of Fukushima, envisioning a hopeful and environmentally sound tomorrow.