#Japan #Tokyo #AI Education #Bot Express #Kids GovTech

Bot Express Launches the Kids GovTech Project

Overview
Bot Express, a Tokyo-based company specializing in administrative technology solutions, has initiated an educational program named Kids GovTech Project. This unique workshop aims to teach elementary and junior high school students how to develop IT services using AI and no-code platforms. Starting in August 2025, the workshops will be held in municipalities that have adopted smartphone administrative services, such as Hakodate in Hokkaido, Nagaokakyo in Kyoto, Suo-Oshima in Yamaguchi, and Saku in Nagano. Bot Express plans to extend the program to other regions in response to demand.

1. Details of the Kids GovTech Project
The Kids GovTech Project offers a one-day workshop where students can leverage a cloud platform utilized by local municipalities to develop actual services. The program’s true value lies in its ability to teach students ‘the realities of society.’ Participants will:

• - Learn directly from engineers involved in product development and support.
• - Utilize the same cloud platform that local governments use in their day-to-day administrative services.
• - Have the opportunity to create and publish services that address the needs of their community.

Bot Express collaborates closely with municipal employees to facilitate the service development process. The children are the project’s central participants, and both Bot Express and local officials support them in their learning journey. Importantly, participation in this workshop is completely free for children.

Upcoming Workshop Schedule

• - August 21, 2025: Saku City, Nagano Prefecture
• - August 30, 2025: Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture
• - September 20, 2025: Hakodate City, Hokkaido
• - October 2025: Suo-Oshima Town, Yamaguchi Prefecture

More detailed guidelines for each location will be available through the respective municipal announcements.

2. Why Start This Initiative Now?
Bot Express operates under the mission, “Let’s create beloved administrative services,” and has developed GovTech Express, a dedicated application for government institutions that enables the provision of application and procedure services through official LINE accounts. As of July 2025, this application has been adopted by over 330 municipalities.

• - Transitioning from Outsourced to Autonomous Development

Bot Express acknowledges that conventional outsourced projects in public administration struggle to adapt swiftly to modern demands. Hence, municipalities should be empowered to autonomously develop and release services as needed. The smartphone administrative system utilizes AI-integrated no-code development that allows anyone without programming expertise to create services. Currently, over 300 municipalities are proactively developing services without reliance on external contractors, a practice that was once unthinkable.

• - Contributing from Anywhere

The development of these services can happen from anywhere, including rural areas, thanks to cloud technology. As a result, employees of Bot Express actively work from diverse locations across Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Fukuoka in the south. Advanced technology does not necessitate an urban base; individuals can contribute to their hometowns while being engaged in significant tech careers, demonstrating how geographic location does not limit potential contributions.

• - Exposing Children to Real Service Development

Through the Kids GovTech Project, Bot Express aims to transmit skills and concepts linked to service development in local contexts to the next generation of leaders. Children will learn how their towns operate administrative services in actuality, developing a sense of capability and agency. The workshop intends to instill an understanding of how their service development efforts can truly benefit residents, providing them with a substantive grasp of the concept of 'work.'

3. Comments from Participating Municipal Officials

• - Jun Oizumi, Mayor of Hakodate

“We are thrilled that Hakodate can participate in the Kids GovTech Project. Learning AI and no-code technologies and creating services for real-world use will provide tremendous growth opportunities for our children. We hope this project will foster an environment where children and families wish to learn and grow in Hakodate.”

• - Kengo Nakakoji, Mayor of Nagaokakyo

“I am delighted that the Kids GovTech Project will be held in Nagaokakyo. Our city actively promotes administrative services utilizing LINE. This project will provide valuable experiences for children to contribute to society, enhancing their proactive mindset and opening their eyes to future possibilities.”

• - Jokutaka Fujimoto, Mayor of Suo-Oshima

“Thanks to Bot Express, our town’s official LINE service has become a familiar source for citizen services. This project offers our children a chance to learn digital technologies through government services, preparing them for diverse styles of working within their home community.”

4. Message from Bot Express
Kazuki Nakajima, CEO of Bot Express
“In traditional education, knowledge is typically imparted through a structured curriculum. However, I have been considering how we might provide children with practical skills necessary for their future careers alongside theoretical learning. The Kids GovTech Project is just one example of what we can offer from the IT industry, yet it serves as an essential entry point for children seeking a dynamic future. We aspire to give youth insights into how they can engage with their communities and leverage the GovTech revolution—offering services that genuinely impact society.”

5. Contact Information
Municipalities interested in aligning with this initiative are encouraged to reach out. Moreover, media inquiries are welcome for potential coverage of the workshop.
Contact: hello@bot-express.com
Contact Person: Akemi Matsuo, PR Executive at Bot Express

Bot Express is dedicated to delivering services with high resident engagement and satisfaction, striving to create a more interconnected society with participating municipalities.

Company Overview

• - Company Name: Bot Express, Inc.
• - Founded: February 1, 2019
• - Capital: 100 million yen
• - Address: 23rd Floor, Kamiyacho Trust Tower, 4-1-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6923
• - Representative: Kazuki Nakajima, CEO
• - Business Description: Development and provision of the GovTech Express application
• - Official website: www.bot-express.com
• - Participating Municipalities: Link

As of July 2025, over 330 municipalities and government organizations have instituted our services.