#Japan #Tokyo #Atotsugi Koshien #Kawakami #Fujii Group

The 6th ‘Atotsugi Koshien’ Event Concludes in Chugoku and Shikoku

The recent Chugoku and Shikoku regional tournament of the 6th ‘Atotsugi Koshien’, a pitch event for successors of small and medium-sized enterprises, took place on January 16, 2026. This competition encourages successors to leverage existing business resources to create innovative business ideas. Among 15 participants who advanced through the document screening process, three finalists emerged, securing their spots for the final tournament.

Award Winners

The winners, who will go on to represent their regions in the finals scheduled for February 27, include:
1. Kawakami Co., Ltd. - Yoshihiro Kawakami, who won the Chugoku Economic Bureau Director's Award and the Shikoku Economic Bureau Director's Award. His presentation focused on revitalizing local manufacturing industries while promising a new future.
2. Fujii Group - Ryotaro Fujii, who received the Excellence Award for his project on regenerating vacant houses and creating a community where future generations can thrive.
3. Shimanoya Fish Farming - Naruyuki Shimano, who also secured an Excellence Award with his innovative approach to introducing olive hamachi into Japanese cuisine.

These achievements highlight the dynamic spirit of young entrepreneurs on a quest to innovate within their communities, showing promise for the future of local industries.

Final Tournament Details

The final tournament will gather the top representatives from six blocks, covering the entirety of Japan. A total of 18 successors from various regions have qualified. The finals will be held at the Otemachi Mitsui Hall in Tokyo, an excellent venue for showcasing the emerging talents of Japan’s economic future.

Overview of ‘Atotsugi Koshien’

The ‘Atotsugi Koshien’ event serves as a unique platform where successors pitch their ideas in a timed format. Each participant presents their business concepts in a four-minute presentation followed by a six-minute Q&A session with a panel of judges. The regional tournaments select three contestants from each block, which culminates in the final event where numerous awards are granted, including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award.

Judging Panel

This year’s judging panel is composed of distinguished figures from various sectors:

• - Hidetaka Kuroda, President of Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
• - Yanako Suematsu, CEO of The Japan Times
• - Hiroaki Sugita, Professor at Waseda University's Graduate School of Business Management
• - Yutaka Konno, Managing Partner of Globis Capital Partners
• - Akihiko Nagata, CEO of UntroD Capital Japan

Spectator Information

Both in-person and online viewing options are available for the event. Interested participants are encouraged to register before the deadline of February 26, 2026, with admission for in-person attendees on a first-come-first-served basis. Further details and registration can be found at the official event website.

Organizing Committee

The 6th ‘Atotsugi Koshien’ is operated by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency as part of the ‘Support Network Project for Successors’, in collaboration with Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC and the Japan Association for Venture-Type Business Succession, ensuring a professional and organized event for all involved in showcasing Japan's future business leaders.