#Japan #Tokyo #Neglected Tropical Diseases #NTDs Youth

The Third Neglected Tropical Diseases Contest: A Celebration of Awareness and Innovation

On January 30, 2026, the NTDs Youth Association, based in Fukuoka, Japan, proudly announced the winners of the third Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Contest. This year’s contest attracted a total of 37 submissions aimed at raising awareness about NTDs, which affect over 1.4 billion people globally. The event was supported by significant organizations such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in Japan.

Contest Overview

This contest, linked to the World NTD Day established by the World Health Organization, has been held annually for students from junior high to graduate school. It included two main categories for submissions:
1. Category A: Easy-to-Understand Communication - Do You Know NTDs?
2. Category B: Increasing Action Against NTDs - Let's Conquer NTDs Together!

In total, there were 16 teams (35 participants) in Category A and 21 teams (40 participants) in Category B. Notably, a majority of the entrants were high school students, and approximately 60% were new to the topic of NTDs through this contest.

Evaluation and SNS Engagement

This year, for the first time, submissions were also evaluated based on their impact on social media. From December 27, 2025, to January 8, 2026, engagement rates for the official YouTube channel and Instagram page of the NTDs Youth Association were measured. The total views for the six videos in Category A reached approximately 8,230, surpassing last year’s 7,346 views, demonstrating an increasing public interest in NTDs.

Final Judging

The final judging took place on January 10, 2026, at the Ito International Research Center at the University of Tokyo, where a distinguished panel from various sectors evaluated the projects. The ceremony provided a platform for participants to engage with judges, reflecting various perspectives on NTDs.

Award Ceremony on World NTD Day

An online award ceremony was held on January 30, 2026, coinciding with World NTD Day, where winners received certificates and prizes. Feedback from participants highlighted the value of exploring NTDs from diverse angles and emphasized the importance of firsthand knowledge about these diseases.

Winner Spotlight

The champions of the categories A and B received certificates and cash prizes of ¥100,000 each. Additionally, teams comprising members under 18 were awarded the U-18 Special Prize, along with the GHIT Partnership & Innovation Prize and the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Prize, which each included certificates and a ¥20,000 bookstore voucher.

Category A - Best Award Winner

• - Team Name: N-Lights
• - Project Title: NTDs Scope!! +α
• - YouTube Link: Watch Here

Category A - U-18 Special Award Winner

• - Team Name: Team Nanokana
• - Project Title: Can Humanity Defeat Tropical Diseases?
• - YouTube Link: Watch Here

Category B - Best Award Winner

• - Team Name: Tottori University Tropical Medicine Research Group
• - Project Title: Let's Deliver Through Toilet Donations! – Creating a Non-Infectious Environment
• - YouTube Link: Watch Here

Category B - U-18 Special Award Winner

• - Team Name: NAHOKARI
• - Project Title: The Threat of Mosquitoes
• - YouTube Link: Watch Here

GHIT Partnership & Innovation Prize Winner

• - Team Name: Potato Fry
• - Project Title: Learning About Neglected Tropical Diseases Through a Card Game
• - YouTube Link: Watch Here

Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Prize Winner

• - Team Name: BIGMA
• - Project Title: