#Japan #Tokyo #financial literacy #Mizuho Financial Group #Kids Money School

Financial Workshop for Families: Teaching Kids About Money

On August 26, 2026, the Japan Children's Survival Skills Development Association, in collaboration with the Mizuho Financial Group and J-FLEC, hosted an innovative financial education workshop catering specifically to families. This exciting event, held at the Mizuho Marunouchi Tower, was designed to equip children and their parents with essential money management skills in a fun and engaging way.

The workshop included a variety of dynamic activities utilizing iPads, such as RPG-style quizzes and simulated investment games. The children learned important concepts such as distinguishing between ‘needs’ and ‘wants,’ understanding the risks involved in cashless transactions, and the fundamentals of investing—all tailored to their daily experiences. At the same time, parents participated in seminars focusing on household budgeting, asset development, and strategies to support their children in becoming financially savvy.

Feedback from Participants

Feedback from the participants highlighted the success and excitement of the workshop. Here’s what some children had to say:

• - “I felt really happy to be able to invest! I think I'd like to practice ‘diversified investment’.”
• - “I learned that investing helps support companies. I can also understand the difference between what I need and what I want.”
• - “I realized investing will be important in my life. I learned crucial skills for managing money at this workshop. Please continue these events!”

Parents also shared their insights:

• - “I gained valuable knowledge about investment and financial management, which I will apply to our family budget. I enjoyed participating in the investment game with my child.”
• - “Learning about investment risks was enlightening. Previous experiences had been too positive, missing the essential lessons about potential losses.”
• - “This simulation helped my child grasp the concept that stock values fluctuate and the importance of making wise choices with money.”

Highlights from the Event

The event commenced with a welcoming address from Mr. Kurozawa, Executive Managing Officer at Mizuho Financial Group. He pointed out the lack of financial education in Japan compared to places like the U.S., stressing the significance of instilling financial knowledge from a young age to promote long-term wealth building and safeguard against fraud.

Activity Highlights

Session One: Learning Money Basics for Kids

During the first part of the event, kids dove into a magical world, participating in an RPG-style game designed to teach them about financial literacy. They tackled quizzes on differentiating between needs versus wants and how to utilize money for greater societal benefit.

Parent Seminars

At the same time, a special seminar was conducted for parents by J-FLEC, providing clear insights into budgeting and asset management, focusing on knowledge essential for parenting.
Topics discussed included:

• - Reviewing spending habits and distinguishing between needs and wants.
• - Planning for future events and estimating overall costs.
• - Understanding inflation and its impact on savings.
• - Strategies for minimizing investment risks through long-term and diverse approaches.

Session Two: Family Investment Challenge

Families participated in a collaborative segment titled “Child Investment Challenge.” They listened to presentations from local business owners and then engaged in a simulated investment game where they chose what businesses to invest in. This hands-on activity made learning about investments enjoyable and accessible for everyone involved.

Closing Ceremony

The event concluded with a reflection from Mr. Otomo, a director at J-FLEC, who encapsulated the workshop’s essence by stating that discerning between necessary expenditures and mere desires is critical for responsible money management. He encouraged children not to hesitate to discuss financial issues with their families, reinforcing the importance of open communication.

At the end, every child received a “Money Doctor Certification,” celebrating their newfound knowledge and accomplishment.

Moving forward, the Japan Children’s Survival Skills Development Association and its partners commit to continuing to develop financial literacy programs that support families and young children as they cultivate a strong financial foundation for their futures. This event is just one of many initiatives aimed at enhancing financial education across the nation.

About the Organizers

The workshop was sponsored by the Mizuho Financial Group and its banking arm, which promote financial literacy through educational activities. J-FLEC, established as a recognized entity in April 2024 under laws concerning financial services, aims to foster nationwide financial knowledge enhancement.

For further engagement, visit our website for more upcoming events focusing on financial education for families and children.