Youth Policy Summit: The Upcoming National High School Student Conference

Overview of the Event

The Japan Junior Chamber, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is excited to announce the 3rd National High School Student Policy Summit, which will be hosted on July 26, 2025, at the Itoshima City Assembly Hall. This exhilarating event is particularly significant as it marks the first time the summit's Kyushu-Okinawa regional qualifiers will be held in Fukuoka. Each year, numerous high school students from the Kyushu and Okinawa regions express their interest in participating, and this year is no exception.

Purpose of the Summit

The National High School Student Policy Summit aims to foster political interest among youth by providing a platform for high school students to devise innovative policies based on designated themes. It serves as an opportunity for these young minds to articulate their ideas and engage in healthy discourse on pressing societal issues. The initiative began in 2023 and is under the umbrella of the Japan Junior Chamber's efforts to cultivate a sense of citizenship and political involvement among the youth.

The promotion of citizenship education has become increasingly vital, especially with the voting age lowered to 18 years. Schools are now tasked with equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to participate meaningfully in democracy.

Competition Categories

This year, the participants will submit policies in two categories:
1. Designated Theme: “Creating the Future of Japan! Sustainable Digital Policies!”
2. Free Theme: “You Are the Prime Minister! Addressing Local Social Issues for a Brighter Future!”

A total of 12 teams from the Kyushu-Okinawa region will compete, aiming for a spot in the finals.

Event Schedule

- Date: July 26, 2025
- Venue: Itoshima City Assembly Hall, Fukuoka
- Schedule:

- Morning Session (Designated Theme): 9:45 AM - 12:05 PM (Registration starts at 9:00 AM)
- Afternoon Session (Free Theme): 12:45 PM - 3:05 PM (Registration starts at 12:00 PM)

Agenda includes the opening declaration, theme explanation, presentation of policies (each team has 5 minutes), Q&A (5 minutes per team), results announcement, and closing declaration. From the participating teams, the top 4 teams (2 from each category) will advance to the final competition.

Judging Criteria

The judging panel, including local Assembly members and Japan Junior Chamber officials, will evaluate submissions based on their relevance, analytical depth, use of data, logical consistency, and persuasive power.

Participating Teams

- ### Designated Theme: “Creating the Future of Japan! Sustainable Digital Policies!”

1. Seido Mikawa High School (Nagasaki) - Project: Smart Supply Chain and Local-Focused Digital Leadership Program
2. Oita Prefectural Information Science High School (Oita) - HEARTS Team: Creating Sustainable Coexisting Societies through Smart Agriculture
3. Oita Prefectural Information Science High School (Oita) - JYOKA DOLL Team: After-School Secret Base Project
4. Kumamoto Prefectural Ozu High School (Kumamoto) - Team Hinomaru: Structural Reforms in Parliament through Digitalization
5. Miyazaki Prefectural Miyazaki Nishi High School (Miyazaki) - Team Foucault Pendulum: Virtual Hometown Concept
6. Showa Pharmaceutical University High School (Okinawa) - Team Rescue: Protecting Tourists during Disasters

- ### Free Theme: “You Are the Prime Minister! Addressing Local Social Issues for a Brighter Future!”

1. Fukuoka Prefectural Itoshima Agricultural High School (Fukuoka) - Project: Connect! Grow! Promoting Food Education
2. Seido Mikawa High School (Nagasaki) - LED Fluorescent Party: Sustainable Future through Electrical Development and Community Engagement
3. Kumamoto Prefectural Ozu High School (Kumamoto) - Team Hinomaru: Changing Japan through Fun Politics and Elections
4. Oita Prefectural Information Science High School (Oita) - Team neXus: School Tree Structure
5. Oita Higashitomo High School (Oita) - Oita Higashitomo Social Department: Encouraging Youth Participation in Regional Revitalization
6. Okinawa Prefectural Kitayama High School (Okinawa) - Tidda: Designing Futures Together with Citizens

Final Competition

The finals are scheduled for August 25, 2025, at the Upper House of Japan's National Diet. Judging will occur through speeches at the venue and a public vote via the internet, reflecting a democratic process where citizens can vote for their favorite policies.