#Japan #Tokyo #Marui Group #Life is Tech #App Koshien

The 15th App Koshien Championships: A Platform for Young Innovators

The 15th App Koshien Championship, co-hosted by Marui Group and Life is Tech, recently concluded, shining a light on the innovative young minds shaping the future of technology. The event, which took place on November 16, 2025, showcased the creativity and technical prowess of high school and middle school students through an exciting tournament.

Understanding App Koshien

Launched in 2011, App Koshien is Japan's most prominent app development competition aimed at middle and high school students. The initiative supports the discovery and nurturing of young creators, fostering their growth in a dynamic and ever-evolving tech landscape. Marui Group began its sponsorship in 2021, and since 2022 has partnered with Life is Tech to co-host the contest.

In this year’s final championship, twelve finalists presented their projects, competing rigorously across three categories:

• - General Development Category: This section evaluated creativity and technical skill based on free themes.
• - Idea Category: Here, participants tackled challenges posed by sponsoring companies, leveraging technology to propose solutions.
• - AI Development Category: This category focused on applications and services that utilize AI as a core function, emphasizing both innovative ideas and technical capability.

The support from 26 sponsoring companies and organizations added vibrance to the event, highlighting the collective ambition to empower future generations through technology and innovation.

Introduction of the Marui Group Award

In a dedicated effort to inspire young talent, the Marui Group Award was introduced this year. This accolade aims to motivate students to transform their passions into business ideas utilizing technology. Marui Group envisions a new economic model driven by individual values and feelings, aptly termed the “economy driven by ‘likes.’” The award encourages ideas that resonate with personal interests, propelling students toward entrepreneurial opportunities.

The receiving teams, through collaborative platforms, will actively work towards turning their innovative “likes” into tangible business ventures.

Highlights of the Finals

The climax of the event showcased captivating presentations from participants:

• - General Development Category Winner: Koda Miyazaki, a high school sophomore, introduced Paper CAD, a web application that automates the creation of paper building models. This app transforms 3D designs into 2D layouts effortlessly, making model creation accessible to enthusiasts and novices alike.
• - AI Development Category Winner: Daichi Minami, also a student at the technical college, presented Mathmosis, a math learning assistant app. It utilizes AI to help students solve math problems interactively, adapting lessons to enhance understanding and retention.

In addition to the main events, a special talk session highlighted the development stories behind the finalists’ projects, giving attendees insight into the creative process. Numerous interactive booths allowed visitors to experience the applications firsthand, further enhancing their engagement with the projects.

Winners' List

• - General Development Category:

- Winner: Paper CAD - Koda Miyazaki, High School 2nd Year
- Runner-Up: Wan-Nyan Match - Kanon Yoshida, High School 2nd Year

• - AI Development Category:

- Winner: Mathmosis - Daichi Minami, Technical College 2nd Year
- Runner-Up: InfoNode - Kenta Nishijima and Shota Tomiyama, High School 1st and 2nd Year

• - Idea Award:

- Marui Group's award went to G-push, a platform supporting content creation using gamers' unused GPUs, blending fan engagement and creative development.

For a complete list of winners and their projects, viewers can find detailed information on the official App Koshien website and view the championship archive on YouTube.

Conclusion

As Marui Group and Life is Tech continue their collaboration, the App Koshien aims to expand its influence, encouraging young innovators to harness their capabilities while receiving collective support to thrive in the tech ecosystem. The scholarship of ideas exchanged during these championships speaks volumes about upcoming talents and the potential future landscape of the technology industry.