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The 4th FES Contest in Gunma Prefecture: A Platform for Financial Literacy

In a significant initiative aimed at enhancing financial literacy among teens, the Japan Financial Education Support Organization is set to host the 4th FES Contest® in Gunma Prefecture. This exciting event encourages middle and high school students to create educational videos about finance, promoting both creativity and collaboration.

To prepare for the competition, financial education workshops titled "Path to the FES Contest®" were previously held in Takasaki on August 9 and in Ota on August 15, 2026. These workshops focused on the essential functions of money, which the participants learned through the concept of “the Eight Powers of Money”: spending, earning, contributing, saving, preparing, gifting, borrowing, and increasing.

Hands-On Learning Experience

The workshops served as practical learning experiences, where a total of 35 students participated, including 22 from Takasaki and 13 from Ota. During these sessions, students engaged in financial lectures and group activities centered on the theme of money. After gaining insights from discussions, they conceptualized their own ideas and embarked on the exciting task of video production.

In both locations, local businesses, financial institutions, and experts collaborated with certified instructors and university student organizers to guide the teens in their creative process. This environment not only facilitated their understanding of financial concepts but also provided them with the unique opportunity to express their newly-acquired knowledge in ways that could be understood by elementary school students.

From Participants to Mentors

Adding a unique touch to the workshops, past winners of the FES Contest participated as student organizers, thereby completing a cycle of knowledge transfer. For instance, Miu Komatsu, a first-year student at Hitotsubashi University who won the Excellence Award in the inaugural FES Contest, and Yuta Suzuki, who received the Encouragement Award in the 3rd FES Contest in Gunma, contributed their experiences to help the current participants develop engaging financial education videos. Participants learned about the key points in creating impactful content from their firsthand experiences in the contest.

This transition from the role of applicants to that of mentors signifies a community learning mechanism, fostering a circular model of financial education within Gunma Prefecture. The system encourages past competitors to support the development of future cohorts, instilling a sense of community engagement and social responsibility.

About the FES Contest®

The FES Contest® stands for a nationwide platform aimed at encouraging high school and middle school students to produce financial education videos targeting elementary school children, thereby sparking interest in financial literacy from a young age. Supported by various governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Financial Services Agency, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the contest seeks to inspire financial education among younger generations.

The related workshops were recognized in 2024 by the Mitsubishi Mirai Leadership Foundation, receiving the Grand Prix Award for advanced and impactful programs aimed at activating children's minds. Furthermore, in 2025, the contest was awarded the Excellence Award in the Children's category of the Tokyo Children’s Smile Movement Award, highlighting its contribution to a child-centric society.

Upcoming Events: Recognition and Awards

The culminating event, featuring an awards ceremony, is scheduled for October 25, 2026, at the Jomo Hall in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, from 14:00 to 15:30. Awards will include:

• - 1 Grand Prize
• - 1 Excellence Award
• - 1 Community Contribution Award
• - Multiple Encouragement Awards

This contest is not only a platform for creativity but also serves as a vital step towards fostering financial literacy among the youth, with winning entries from the district automatically qualifying for the national finals.

In a world increasingly reliant on financial awareness, initiatives like the FES Contest® serve as crucial milestones in preparing younger generations for future challenges.