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The Exciting Conclusion of the Kanto Block Tournament of Atsugi Koshien 2023

On January 26, 2026, the Kanto block tournament of the 6th Atsugi Koshien was successfully held, showcasing the remarkable talent of successors from small and medium-sized enterprises. This pitch event allows these future leaders to present new business ideas that leverage their existing resources. As a result, three finalists have been selected to advance to the prestigious final round scheduled for February 27, 2026, at Otemachi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo.

Announcing the Finalists

The finalists for the grand finale include:

• - Kanto Economic Industry Bureau Award winner: Ken Sato from Mold Model Co., Ltd. (based in Yamanashi Prefecture), with a project focused on creating calcium liquid fertilizer from waste plaster products.
• - Excellence Award winners:

- Wakamitsu Inagaki from Inagaki Painting Co., Ltd. (based in Shizuoka Prefecture), who presented a new approach to disposal of Buddhist altars, emphasizing the preservation of prayer culture.
- Yudai Nakanishi from Shinkyo Electronics Co., Ltd. (based in Tokyo), introducing a conversational support device, mimioto™, aimed at improving communication for those with hearing difficulties.

These finalists emerged victorious from a competitive pool of 15 participants who passed the preliminary document screening, exceeding expectations and demonstrating innovative ideas.

Overview of the Event

The Atsugi Koshien is renowned for being a platform where successors of small businesses compete by presenting pitches based on real-world business challenges and solutions. Each participant is granted a four-minute presentation followed by six minutes of Q&A with judges. This year’s local tournaments have produced a total of 18 participants across six regions - Hokkaido and Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku and Shikoku, and Kyushu and Okinawa.

As part of the final round, various awards will be bestowed based on the judging criteria set by industry experts, government officials, and academic leaders. Competitors have a chance to win several prizes, including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, the Commissioner of the Small and Medium Enterprises Agency Award, and the newly established Innovation and Environment Bureau Award.

Details of the Final Event

• - Date: February 27, 2026
• - Venue: Otemachi Mitsui Hall, Tokyo

The judging panel for the final competition is composed of distinguished individuals such as:

• - Hidetaka Kuroda, Representative Executive Officer and President, Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
• - Yanako Suematsu, Chairman and President, Japan Times Co., Ltd.
• - Hiroaki Sugita, Professor, Waseda University Graduate School of Business Management.
• - Jo Ikuno, Representative Partner, Globis Capital Partners.
• - Akihiko Nagata, Representative Director and President, UntroD Capital Japan Co., Ltd.

Spectator Information

For those interested in joining the event, both on-site and online viewing options are available. Registration can be done through the provided links, with a deadline set for the day before each tournament at 23:59. Seats for on-site attendance will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

About Atsugi Koshien

The 6th Atsugi Koshien is managed by a duo of organizations, including the limited liability auditing firm, Tohmatsu, and the General Incorporated Association for Venture-type Business Succession, each contributing their expertise to ensure the program's success. This event not only encourages innovation among successors but also aims to shape the future of Japan's small and medium-sized enterprises.

As aspirations grow and new ideas flourish, the Atsugi Koshien continues to inspire the next generation of business leaders, making it a highly anticipated event every year.