Thriving Children’s Town Event at Mitten Fuchu
On June 28, 2026, a remarkable children's event was held at
Mitten Fuchu, designed to blend education with real-life experiences. Organized by
Pendemy, a company specializing in STEAM education through the integration of digital technology and hands-on projects, the event featured two major initiatives: the
Work & Earn! Kids' Job Town and the
Kids Store Manager Project. Partnering with the local popular shop,
Dagashiya Hop, this collaboration aimed to elevate both community engagement and educational value.
The event gained significant attention, being featured in over 52 media outlets including
Walkerplus and
NewsPicks right after its announcement. The turnout on the day of the event surpassed expectations, with more than 30 families queuing before the doors opened. This impressive turnout demonstrated a successful balance between attracting families to retail spaces while providing high-quality inquiry-based learning opportunities.
A Unique Opportunity for Skill Development
The
Kids Store Manager Project highlighted a real business simulation where children were not just observing, but fully participating. With hands-on experience, the kids went through several stages leading up to the event:
- - Fundraising: Participants learned about borrowing capital from a bank, understanding interest rates, and the basics of finance.
- - Professional Skills: Through training provided by Dagashiya Hop, children mastered customer service skills and learned how to create an engaging store layout to delight customers.
- - Marketing: Beyond purchasing and selling items, they innovated to add value by incorporating games and workshops.
- - Profit Calculation: After sales concluded, the kids calculated their profits, gaining insight into the challenges and rewards of running a business.
The preparation meeting held on June 14 saw children masquerade as small business owners. They engaged in discussions about effective pricing strategies and how to maximize profits, learning invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship.
Proven Strategy for Customer Attraction
Creating a successful child-led store in shopping malls can be a daunting task. However, Pendemy's innovative approach included hosting the
Kids’ Job Town alongside the store manager initiative. This offered various roles for kids, such as photographers and salespeople, allowing them to earn