#Japan #FoundingBase #Setagaya, Tokyo #student projects #Freedom Research

All Five Projects Triumph at the Freedom Research Expo 2026

The company FoundingBase, headquartered in Setagaya, Tokyo, has achieved an incredible milestone in the exploration contest known as the "Freedom Research Expo® 2026," organized by Tomonokai, where every project supported by their cross-regional initiative, "Axel," has received recognition.

On August 7th, this year’s contest saw nearly 10,000 entries, specifically 9,958 submissions from students across the country. Out of these, only about 7.6% were selected for recognition, allowing FoundingBase's five projects to shine through this competitive landscape. The competition announced a total of 756 recognized works, with 76 gold awards, and 9 honors attributed to the organizing committee. Among the recognized projects, the following five stood out:

1. "Promoting Insect Eating to Solve Environmental Issues! – Making Insect Cuisine Enjoyable" – After School Classroom San, Fukui Prefecture.
2. "I Want to Think I Was Happy on My Deathbed" – Mine Public School Mineto, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
3. "School Skirt Design Project for Easy Toileting" – Mine City Learning Space, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
4. "What Do You Want to Do About Aso Sea? – Unraveling Oysters from Amanohashidate" – Inquiry School Qport, Kyoto Prefecture.
5. "Community Circle Project" – 21st Century Learning Space Umine, Oita Prefecture.

Highlights and Reflections from the Participants

Insect Eating Project

Young participant Naoko Kitamura from Mihama Middle School expressed her feelings about her project aimed at promoting insect cuisine. She mentioned, "I felt limited in my ability to promote insect eating alone, but by consulting with professionals, I received invaluable advice on how to expand this initiative. At events where I shared our dishes, countless attendees remarked on how delicious everything was, reinforcing the importance of seeking help from others. I will continue pushing forward with this endeavor, feeling the support of those around me."

An official from Axel emphasized the journeys of both students and staff, navigating the relatively unknown territory of insect cuisine. They noted, "The moment we engaged with experts and chefs in the field was a turning point, allowing the project to gain speed. Learning about innovative themes from different regions energized our students, making them eager to pursue their projects with vigor."

School Skirt Design Project

Another notable project was led by Mayu Yamamoto from Ube High School, which focused on redesigning school uniforms for ease of use in restrooms. She shared, "Selecting a single theme was challenging, but interactions with individuals with disabilities led us to the idea of a user-friendly skirt. Initially unsure of its necessity, receiving positive feedback reinforced the project's validity, motivating me to continue addressing such needs."

An Axel representative highlighted the educational exchanges that sparked this exploration, indicating, "We learned from special needs educators and fashion designers that seemingly simple problems, like managing skirts during bathroom visits, were significant hurdles for some individuals. This brought forth our journey to address those needs collaboratively."

FoundingBase's Commitment to Local Education

FoundingBase aims to create learning opportunities for students in regions where exposure to diverse environments and role models is limited. The Axel project serves as a bridge connecting multiple project bases and giving high school students a platform for exploration. It promotes teamwork through meetings, shared insights, and ongoing support, ensuring students gain valuable experiences beyond their locality.

The Future of Axel

The Axel initiative is designed to foster environments for innovation, enabling students from various schools across the country to come together, exchange ideas, and perfect their projects. By building networks that transcend local limitations, the hope is to cultivate a culture of collaboration and creativity that supports young innovators.

In summation, FoundingBase's comprehensive approach not only aims to prepare students for the challenges ahead but also instills within them the confidence and resources needed to emerge as influential role models for future generations. Through initiatives like Axel, collaboration and exploration are firmly rooted in the educational landscape, promoting sustainable growth in local communities.

For inquiries regarding this initiative, please contact FoundingBase at [email protected]. For media-related questions, reach out at [email protected].