Creating a Continuous Learning Cycle in Financial Education with Hachioji City and Japan Financial Education Support Organization

Collaborative Financial Education Program in Hachioji City

In an innovative partnership, the Japan Financial Education Support Organization (JFESO) has teamed up with Hachioji City to establish a groundbreaking financial education program aimed at students ranging from elementary school to university. This initiative seeks to create a sustainable learning cycle among students through collaborative efforts with local financial institutions, emphasizing a novel platform for financial literacy across various educational levels.

Objectives of the Initiative

Hachioji City, renowned as a 'learning city' due to its dense concentration of educational institutions, serves as the ideal backdrop for this progressive program. JFESO aims to leverage local resources by integrating the FES Contest and various workshops into a cohesive 'Circular Financial Education Model'—one that fosters a shared learning experience among students of all ages. The program allows participants to grasp critical financial concepts, enabling an awareness of money management that extends beyond the classroom.

Overview of the Co-Creation Project

The FES Contest serves as the centerpiece of this initiative, encouraging high school students to design workshops led by university students. Throughout this educational journey, participants will explore the eight core competencies related to financial literacy: spending, earning, filing taxes, saving, preparing, gifting, borrowing, and investing.

The contest also challenges students to create financial education videos that convey these financial principles using language that resonates with younger audiences, ensuring that the messages are accessible to elementary school children. Such a format not only fosters content creation but also creates an interactive platform where students of varying ages learn from one another. Thus, small children watch the videos, while middle and high school students take on the role of educators and content creators, facilitated by universities guiding the entire process.

This model creates an environment where knowledge acquisition transitions from learning to teaching, enabling a continuous flow of education across generations and rooting itself deeply within the community. The effort to establish a vibrant, cyclical model for financial education not only strengthens local ties but also promotes lifelong financial competency.

Inclusion in Community Initiatives

During a press conference held by Mayor Hoshiyasu of Hachioji City on March 30, 2026, the initiative was prominently featured as a vital component of local educational strategies. Mayor Hoshiyasu, alongside JFESO's co-representatives, Risa Hirai and Nana Abe, emphasized the value of nurturing a community of learners that spans multiple age groups.

In 2026, the FES Contest also received recognition for its contribution toward establishing a 'Child-Focused' society through the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s '2026 Children’s Smile Movement Award,' winning an excellence prize—highlighting the initiative’s significance in promoting student-driven education and civic engagement.

Timeline of Future Events

The program is expected to unfold in several phases:

- May to June 2026: Recruitment of university student volunteers
- June to August 2026: Recruitment of high school students to participate in workshops
- August 11, 2026: Implementation of the workshops (morning and afternoon sessions)
- Late October 2026: Conduct of the Tokyo Region FES Contest Tournament in Hachioji and other parts of the Tama district
- November 28, 2026: National FES Contest Finals to take place in Tokyo

Background to Collaboration

The collaboration between JFESO and Hachioji City arose from a shared vision to create opportunities for students to engage meaningfully with the community. By proposing the FES Contest workshops to Hachioji's 'Co-Creation Window,' this joint effort paves the way for developing a replicable model of educational engagement that promotes the vital skill of financial literacy among the younger generation. The initiative represents a significant stride toward fostering empowered, financially competent future leaders, achieving a bright outlook for the students and the community as a whole.

For more information about the Japan Financial Education Support Organization, visit their official website at faincation.com.