#Japan #Financial Education #Kagawa #FES Contest

The 3rd FES Contest in Kagawa: A Celebration of Financial Education

Kagawa Prefecture is excited to announce the return of the local FES Contest® for the third consecutive year, organized by the Japan Financial Education Support Organization, co-represented by Risa Hirai and Nana Abe. This year's contest will once again focus on promoting financial literacy among middle and high school students, offering meaningful prizes such as the Governor's Award and the Education Superintendent's Award to participants.

The contest’s organizer is stepping up its support for students by fostering a learning environment that celebrates and encourages financial education. Governor Toyohito Ikeda expressed his enthusiasm in a message of support, praising the initiative as a vital opportunity for young people to learn about financial management and make informed future decisions.

He emphasized the importance of financial knowledge in empowering students as they transition into adulthood—highlighting a notable educational shift in Japan that now requires financial education in high schools.

Growth in Participation

Last year's regional competition saw 159 submissions, but this year, that number has surged to 215, marking a significant increase and positioning Kagawa as a leader among the ten participating prefectures in this event. This growth signals the contest's success in embedding financial education within the community, and it shows how local events can have a strong influence across the nation.

Highlighting New Talent
The event will feature Kanako Iwata, a first-year student at Rikkyo University, who will serve as the host for the award ceremony. Iwata is a former scholarship awardee from last year’s contest with her video titled “What is Insurance?” which helped her gain recognition in the financial education space. Now, as she moves on to university, Iwata continues to contribute to boosting financial literacy in her hometown, Kagawa.

Contest Progress and Awards

On September 15, the application phase of the 3rd FES Contest closed, with winners announced on October 2. Participants eagerly await the award ceremony scheduled for October 18, where the esteemed Governor Ikeda will personally present the Governor's Award to the winner, Haruto Morimoto. Following the presentation, an online meeting will be organized to prepare winners for their presentations at the award ceremony, further enriching their understanding of finance.

Upcoming Dates to Remember

The winning works from the Kagawa region will forward towards the national competition, with special awards like the Governor's and Education Superintendent's Awards giving these students an edge in the final assessments. The timeline for upcoming announcements is as follows:

• - Award Ceremony for Kagawa Region: October 18 (Saturday)
• - First Round Results for National Contest: Late October
• - Final Results and Announcements for National Contest: Early November
• - National Awards Ceremony and Networking Event: November 29 (Saturday)

The award ceremony for this year’s Kagawa Contest will take place on October 13 from 12:45 PM to 2:30 PM at the Takamatsu City Museum auditorium, located at 10-4 Konya-cho, Takamatsu. The event will include a welcoming speech, award presentation, and the showcasing of winning videos.

This project is proudly sponsored by Kagawa Securities Co., Ltd. and the Bank of 114, in collaboration with the Kagawa Prefectural Board of Education, and is continuously supported by the Mitsubishi Mirai Education Fund for the 2025 fiscal year.

About the Organizers

The Japan Financial Education Support Organization, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, strives to enhance financial literacy among Japanese youth. The organization was founded on December 28, 2022, under the leadership of co-representatives Risa Hirai and Nana Abe.

For more information, visit the official website.