#Japan #Tokyo #Stanford University #TBC Japan #Millie Gan

Stanford University Highlights TBC Japan

On October 22, 2025, MCW LLC, based in San Diego and led by Millie Gan, proudly announced a significant milestone: the Teenage Business Contest Japan (TBC Japan) was featured in an article on Stanford University’s Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE) official website. The article, titled "Let’s Be the Strikers: Thoughts on the 2025 Teenage Business Contest Japan," emphasizes the crucial role of youth in driving solutions to Japan's pressing regional challenges.

Millie Gan, the founder of TBC Japan and an alumna of Stanford's e-Entrepreneurship Japan (SeEJ) program, penned the article, showcasing the essence of TBC Japan as not merely a competition, but as a nationwide educational initiative aimed at empowering high school students to discover societal issues and develop actionable solutions. The challenges of aging populations and rural depopulation, which are rapidly impacting Japan, necessitate innovative thinking from the youth, making their engagement more critical than ever.

TBC Japan encourages participants to harness their English language skills and business knowledge to address these societal issues creatively. Expediting this initiative is the entrepreneurial spirit Gan cultivated during her time at Stanford, which revolves around the principles of "start small, learn fast, and ship." The competition isn't designed for merely competing; it is focused on actively learning and making a social impact.

A notable highlight of the initiative is the AI platform, Kotae.ai, which Gan has leveraged to develop a chatbot named TB-Chan. This tool facilitates seamless communication among students, media professionals, and sponsors, garnering recognition for its effectiveness in managing inquiries and ensuring the contest's smooth operation.

The finale of TBC Japan took place on August 7, 2025, at EGG Marunouchi in Tokyo. Supported by the Cabinet Office of Japan and the University of Tokyo’s IPC, the event was a vibrant gathering where ten finalist teams presented their innovative business ideas in English to an audience of academic leaders and industry experts. This initiative not only celebrated creativity but also ignited a wave of collaboration among students across Japan, empowering them to transform their concepts into tangible actions that address community needs.

In her impactful closing remarks, Gan stated, "Let’s be the strikers. Take the shot. Others will follow." This phrase embodies the courage and determination of today’s youth, exemplifying their readiness to step up and lead Japan towards a brighter future, fueled by innovative thinking and a shared purpose.

As TBC Japan continues to evolve, it aims to create a network of young changemakers, reinforcing the notion that change can indeed start with one brave step. The encouragement to “take the shot” resonates with a generation eager to leave a significant mark on their communities and beyond.

For readers interested in further insights, the full article can be accessed on the Stanford SPICE official website.

For inquiries, please reach out to:
TBC Japan Executive Committee / MCW LLC
Contact: Millie Gan (Founder)
* Email: [email protected]