Mirai Kuru Lab Presents Impact Report on Startup Support Initiative in Kitakyushu

In a notable event held on March 26, 2026, titled "WORK & ROLE," Mirai Kuru Lab, a company based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, delivered an impactful presentation on the outcomes of their initiatives targeting Generation Z and the creation of supportive communities. This event was part of a two-year program under the Kitakyushu City government’s Startup Support and Growth program, aiming to foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the region.

Background of the Initiative

The primary objective of this initiative is to establish a relaxed connection between Generation Z and society. Traditionally, students have had natural encounters with various adults and professional environments in their communities. These interactions allowed them to engage with diverse careers and values, forming critical societal links. However, the landscape has significantly changed, leading to challenges such as:

- An increasing number of youths are experiencing a singular corporate perspective due to prolonged internships.
- As job hunting starts earlier, students are pressured to make career choices without first exploring their interests.
- A talent drain towards the metropolitan areas where employment opportunities are abundant.

Consequently, the perception of society among youth has shifted to feeling "narrow and closed" with weakened ties to their local communities. To combat this, Mirai Kuru Lab identified the need for spaces that serve as playful environments for young individuals to explore diverse career paths.

Details of the Experimental Initiative

Their program, "Academee," takes real business tasks and restructures them into educational materials aimed at students. Through this setup, the program fosters an "education × business" model that addresses corporate challenges while also contributing to student growth. Collaborative efforts have been established with local businesses and stakeholders in Kitakyushu, creating practical learning opportunities that connect industry, education, and community.

Key Achievements Reported

During the report event, several prominent outcomes were highlighted:

- Career Education Collaborations (December 11, 2025): A pilot for social experiences within high school classrooms was conducted, involving 38 student participants from grades 11 and 12. The initiative successfully created opportunities for paid internships for the following academic year.

- Co-Creation Workshop (December 13, 2025): An event was held facilitating dialogues between businesses and students, where participants created flyers and supported an on-the-day event. This involved 18 students and six industry representatives, resulting in the successful development of a "100×100" game to match company needs and student resources.

- Lecture at Kitakyushu University (January 19, 2026): This session engaged approximately 20 students from the economics department, allowing them to apply their learning in real scenarios and establishing future connections.

- Online Events and Training Video Production (February 24-25, 2026): Focusing on design tasks, workshops were conducted for students, resulting in the creation of training videos and practical event management activities with 30 participants.

Future Prospects

Looking ahead, Mirai Kuru Lab strives to transition from mere support to self-sufficiency, building a platform rooted in Kitakyushu. Plans for 2026 include developing existing brands, such as the card game series "Ben Game" and "TEA & THINGS," in collaboration with local businesses and students. Even after the funding period ends, the goal is to maintain a sustainable framework that promotes continuous collaboration and job creation within the city.

About Mirai Kuru Lab

Under the motto, "Become an adult quickly," Mirai Kuru Lab is dedicated to nurturing children's ability to create their futures based on their interests and values. Their educational programs focus on entrepreneurship, exploration, and creative learning, aiming to cultivate valuable human resources that connect education and society. More information can be found at Mirai Kuru Lab.