#Japan #Shibuya, Tokyo #Senryu Contest #NN Life #Mama Tarte

Announcing the Winners of the 2026 'Husband is the CEO' Senryu Contest

Excitement fills the air as NN Life Insurance Co., led by CEO Marius Popescu, announces the winners of the 'Husband is the CEO' Senryu Contest for 2026. This contest provides a platform for the voices of business owners’ wives, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings through senryu (a form of Japanese poetry).

Since its launch in 2022, the contest has aimed to create opportunities for the wives of business owners to share their daily emotions and struggles, thereby fostering understanding and awareness among peers. In its fourth year, the contest saw an impressive submission of 1,914 senryu poems during the period from January 28 to March 31, 2026.

This year, the popular comedy duo, Mama Tarte, served as guest judges and bestowed the special 'Mama Tarte's Favorite Senryu' award. Additionally, a limited-time video featuring the winning poems has been published on their official YouTube channel, further amplifying the voices of these inspiring women.

Winners Announcement

The winners were unveiled on July 20, just in time for Small and Medium Enterprises Day, with a total of 31 awards presented: one Grand Prize, several Excellence Awards, the 'Mama Tarte's Favorite Senryu' Special Award, and a special award for travel-themed senryu.

Grand Prize Winner

Title: _Business Plan Instead of Menu_
Author: Ryo
Commentary by Judge: Senryu author Yasumi Rie praised the unique imagery created by juxtaposing 'menu' and 'business plan', reflecting the author’s dedication to their work.
Prize: Experience gifts, including stays at traditional inns and luxurious hotels.

Special Awards

Mama Tarte's Favorite Senryu Award

• - Title: _Wife Realizes Husband's Meeting Stories are Exaggerated_

Author: Chibita
Commentary: The judges reminisced about their childhood at a family grocery store and related to the humorous essence in the senryu, which cleverly conjured a fictive memory.
Prize: Pair tickets for performances of musicals, ballet, or traditional Japanese arts.

Travel Senryu Award

• - Title: _Souvenirs for Employees from the Trip_

Author: Sato-chan
Commentary: This piece beautifully illustrates the thoughtfulness of a wife while choosing souvenirs for her husband’s employees, showcasing her deep care.
Prize: Catalog gift with a variety of travel experiences.

Excellence Award Presentations

A total of six Excellence Awards and other prizes such as the Encouragement and Small Business Support awards were also awarded, with poignant works expressing the everyday realities of the wives supporting their husbands’ businesses.

Emphasis on Connection and Understanding

The 'Husband is the CEO' senryu contest not only highlights the everyday lives of these women but also aims to illuminate shared experiences, creating a sense of community and support. Continuous support through the 'Tsugu no Wa' platform encourages collaboration and understanding among these unique individuals.

The range of emotions expressed in the selected works captures the essence of the wives’ experiences, showcasing their challenges and triumphs while supporting their husbands in business.
This initiative has revealed the necessity for shared spaces where business owners' wives can express themselves and connect, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and learning opportunities.

Conclusion

Through initiatives such as these, NN Life continues to bolster the voices of business owners’ wives, helping to foster a vibrant community that thrives on mutual understanding and support. The next phase of this campaign will focus on enhancing collaboration and information-sharing among these remarkable women.

To learn more about the contest and view all the winning works, visit the official page on NN Life's website.
NN Life Official Page