#Japan #Tokyo #child support #Sumitomo Life #Parenting Project

The 19th 'Future-Strong Parenting Project' Winners Announced

In an effort to enhance child-rearing environments, Sumitomo Life Insurance Company has dedicated itself to the 'Future-Strong Parenting Project' since 2007. Backed by the Ministry of Education and the Children and Families Agency, this initiative awards deserving individuals and organizations contributing to child-rearing support and also offers support to women researchers balancing parenting with academic research.

Overview of the Project

The project includes two main components:
1. Awards for Child-Rearing Support Activities: Recognizing individuals and organizations developing supportive environments for parenting.
2. Support for Women Researchers: Providing grants to women researchers juggling parenting responsibilities while conducting research in the humanities and social sciences.

Across 18 previous awards, the initiative has recognized 206 child-rearing efforts and supported 181 female researchers. This year, there were 225 submissions from individuals and organizations making strides in child-rearing support, alongside 135 applications from women researchers.

2026 Awards Ceremony

The awards ceremony is scheduled for February 25, 2026, at the Congress Square Nihonbashi, Hall A & B.

Child-Rearing Support Awards

• - Sumisei Future Grand Prize: 2 winners, including the Cabinet Office Minister Award and the Minister of Education Award.
• - Sumisei Future Award: 10 organizations recognized for their efforts.

Support for Women Researchers

• - Sumisei Women Researcher Encouragement Award: 10 winners acknowledged for their contributions.

Details of Award Recipients

Child-Rearing Support Awards

• - Sumisei Future Grand Prize Winners:

- Cabinet Office Minister Award: Non-profit organization, Children Social Work Center (Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture)
- Minister of Education Award: Non-profit organization, Ishin-tai UNESCO Club (Shinjuku City, Tokyo)

• - Sumisei Future Award Recipients (10 Organizations):

- Non-profit organization AYA (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Kanagawa District Midwife Association Yamamoto Midwifery Clinic (Yokohama City, Kanagawa)
- Non-profit organization Clover Association at Yamagata (Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture)
- Non-profit organization Childcare Support Class Hokkori-no (Kita City, Tokyo)
- Non-profit organization Diverse Learning Project (Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture)
- Non-profit organization Tokyo Satoyama Development Group (Setagaya City, Tokyo)
- NPO Hinata Bokk (Shiranuka-gun, Hokkaido)
- Hyogo Latin Community (Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture)
- NPO Fukuoka Family House (Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture)
- General Incorporated Association Long Spoon Association (Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture)

Support for Women Researchers

• - Sumisei Women Researcher Encouragement Award Recipients (10 Individuals):

- Maya Ikawa, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Tokyo, researching the impact of the reduction of aid on refugees.
- Maho Ikebukuro, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Tokyo, studying support for right-wing populism in Spain.
- Mayuko Ishigami, temporary lecturer, Toyo Eiwa Women's University, examining autonomy in diversified learning environments.
- Ayumi Koyama, Ph.D. Candidate, Tohoku University, focusing on language inheritance in Bolivia.
- Hanami Sakai, Ph.D. Candidate, Kumamoto University, documenting oral histories of grassroots revolution supporters.
- Airi Zamami, research assistant at Kyushu University, analyzing clinical practices for international dissemination.
- Andrea Csendo, special lecturer at Osaka University, developing educational materials based on Edo period picture books.
- Aya Fujita, Ph.D. Candidate at Oxford University, investigating factors affecting inclusion in child abuse prevention programs in Uganda.
- Haruka Muka, Ph.D. Candidate, Hiroshima University, researching social dynamics in shared living environments during disasters.
- Natsuko Yamada, Ph.D. Candidate, Rikkyo University, focusing on family practices among sexual minority women.

For further information on the recipients and the project, please visit the Sumitomo Life website and explore the complete list of winners here.