#Japan #Tokyo #EY Strategy #Rule Formation #Student Initiatives

EY Strategy and Consulting's Third Student Rule Formation Idea Contest

The EY Strategy and Consulting Co., located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has recently announced the results of the third Student Rule Formation Idea Contest. This year's winning team proposed a project titled the "Job Hunting Democracy Project" (common name: "Let’s Stop Being Ordinary"). The contest sought innovative solutions to connect education and employment in a society facing significant changes.

Contest Highlights

On December 5, four finalist teams that passed the preliminary round presented their ideas at the EY Hibiya Office's EY wavespace™. The ultimate objective of this contest is to channel constructive student opinions into revitalizing Japan and facilitating appropriate policy reforms. The contest attracted numerous applications, indicating a strong engagement from the youth.

Winning Proposal: The Job Hunting Democracy Project

The winning team comprised three talented young women: Airi Hirota from Hosei University, Ariel Nappari from the University of Tokyo, and Kotomi Takigawa from Shirayuri Women's University. They focused on the critical disconnect in Japan's education system and job market. This communication gap, they argued, prevents students from realizing their potential.

Their concept aimed to restore democracy between education and job hunting, addressing economic disparities that contribute to unequal opportunities in the job market. They proposed a tripartite rule framework that includes:

1. School Democracy: Institutionalizing student voices within educational reform to foster an environment where self-initiative thrives.
2. Diverse Career Pathways: Revising the traditional internship structures that often skew towards unpaid work, allowing students more balanced career options.
3. Educational Partnerships for Internships: Introducing paid, credentialed internships to resolve economic inequalities affecting job-seeking opportunities.

Through these rules, they aspire to bridge the existing divides, creating a society that supports continuous challenges.

Additional Awards and Proposals

The second place went to Waseda University’s Debatestyle Strategy Research Group, presenting ideas for a multi-stakeholder child-rearing society. They aim to recast societal norms around child-rearing as a communal responsibility, fostering environments where young people are encouraged to have families.

The third position was secured by Rule Formation Strategy Organization A, focused on cultivating educators from diverse societal backgrounds. They suggested transforming the current teacher credential process to enable more individuals, including retirees and professionals, to take on teaching roles and bridge the educational gap.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The submissions this year reflected a significant shift in the perspective of youth towards self-empowerment and active participation in shaping society. According to Satoshi Kondo, CEO of EYSC, the contest illuminated the powerful insights young people bring to societal issues, emphasizing a commitment to not passively accept the status quo but actively work towards carving out their futures.

Moving forward, successful contestants are expected to present their proposals to various political youth organizations within Japan, providing a platform for these ideas to evolve into tangible policies. The third Student Rule Formation Idea Contest demonstrates a burgeoning movement among Japan's youth to redefine societal norms and engage in dynamic policymaking processes.

As the actions from this contest unfold, there is palpable hope for reignited interest and investment in nurturing a more inclusive and robust societal framework where every individual's voice contributes to the national dialogue.