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22nd AC Japan Advertising Student Awards: Call for Entries

AC Japan, a public interest corporation, is thrilled to announce the opening of applications for the 22nd AC Japan Advertising Student Awards. This esteemed competition aims to engage students in creating advertisements that address pressing societal issues. The awards focus on themes such as empathy, community support, public etiquette, human connections, the value of life, and environmental concerns.

Since its inception, the AC Japan Advertising Student Awards has been dedicated to cultivating a sense of public responsibility and awareness among students by encouraging them to produce impactful advertising works. In its 22nd iteration, the competition will feature two categories: the Television Commercials (TVC) category and the Newspaper Advertising category. Entries will be judged on their ability to resonate with the public, stimulate thought and interest, originality, and the unique perspectives that student creators bring.

In the previous edition of the awards, a total of 330 entries from 45 participating universities vied for recognition in the Television Commercials category, while 734 entries from 35 schools submitted in the Newspaper Advertising category. The Grand Prix in the TVC category was awarded to 'The Relay of Complaints' created by Shino Koyama from Nagaoka Institute of Design, which highlighted the theme of customer harassment. Similarly, the runner-up award went to 'A Small Trash Can?' from Tokyo College of Music, focusing on recycling issues.

In the Newspaper Advertising category, the Grand Prix was claimed by 'The Arrow Scammer' produced by Takahiro Sudo from Tohoku University of Art and Design, addressing the theme of special fraud. The runner-up award was given to 'We will continue Chilled Chinese Noodles?' from Okayama University, bringing attention to global warming. Winners in each category not only receive certificates and trophies but also have their works broadcasted and published on top media platforms. The TV commercials will air on 11 BS commercial television stations, while the newspaper ads will be featured in five national dailies for one year starting July 2026.

AC Japan advocates for beneficial social messages through various advertising campaigns, including national and regional initiatives. The Student Awards are an integral part of this mission, showcasing the creativity and social consciousness of young talents.

Important Details

• - Organizer: AC Japan
• - Sponsors: Several media outlets including BS Nippon, BS Asahi, and major newspapers including Asahi Shimbun and Yomiuri Shimbun.
• - Eligibility: Open to students from AC Japan member schools, including universities and vocational schools.
• - Theme: Works should focus on public issues such as empathy, community support, and environmental matters.
• - Submission Specifications:

- Television Commercials: 30 seconds
- Newspaper Ads: Black-and-white advertisement of 15 columns.

• - Entry Period:

- TVC: December 1, 2025, to January 9, 2026
- Newspaper Ads: December 1, 2025, to January 5, 2026

• - Online Submission Deadlines:

- TVC: January 22, 2026
- Newspaper Ads: January 9, 2026

• - Awards:

- Grand Prix (1 entry): Certificate and trophy
- Runner-up (1 entry): Certificate and trophy
- Honorable Mentions: Certificates and trophies
- Excellence Awards: Digital certificates

Winners will be announced and honored in March 2026, continuing the tradition of recognizing young talents who push the boundaries of creativity in public service advertising.

About AC Japan

Founded in 1971 as the Kansai Public Advertising Organization, AC Japan evolved into a public interest corporation in 2011. It aims to convey socially beneficial messages related to public manners, environmental issues, and more through various forms of advertising. Operating with support from around 1,000 member companies and individuals, AC Japan stands as a beacon for volunteerism and public welfare in advertising. Their members contribute both media space and creative ideas, reinforcing the significance of this initiative in Japan's advertising landscape.