#Japan #Tokyo #Business Contest #Minna no Yume #social entrepreneur

Exciting Announcement: Minna no Yume Award 16

The Minna no Yume Award, organized by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for Fulfilling Everyone's Dreams, is set to take place on March 12, 2026. This social business plan contest aims to discover, nurture, and support aspiring social entrepreneurs and will be held at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA in Tokyo, Japan.

Since its inception in 2010, this event has consistently been held annually, and in its 16th edition, it has attracted an impressive 710 applications from all over Japan. Out of these entries, nine finalists, including two high school students, have been selected to present their innovative business plans that blend solutions to social issues with the pursuit of their “dreams.”

Event Details

• - Date: March 12, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
• - Venue: LINE CUBE SHIBUYA
• - Official Website: Minna no Yume Award
• - Organizer: Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for Fulfilling Everyone's Dreams
• - Chairman: Miki Watanabe (Chairman and CEO of Watami Co., Ltd.)
• - Supported by: Cabinet Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
• - Sponsors: Notable sponsors include Asahi Logistics, Achievement Co., Ltd., AEON Financial Services, Itochu Plastics, and many more.

Judging Panel

The judging panel comprises four esteemed individuals known for their professional insight into business management:

• - Atsuto Sawakami (Founder of Sawakami Trust)
• - Hidetaka Fujino (President of Lehos Capital Works)
• - Hitoshi Aoki (Chairman and CEO of Achievement Co., Ltd.)
• - Miki Watanabe (Chairman and CEO of Watami Co., Ltd.)

These judges will evaluate the finalists' plans based on empathy and social relevance, business viability, and presentation skills. The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash award of 1 million yen and the opportunity to negotiate a funding deal of up to 20 million yen.

In addition, attendees will benefit from a special lecture by Miki Watanabe on that day.

Finalists

Among the finalists, the previous winners have made significant strides in various sectors:

• - Toshiya Kakiuchi (President of Mirairo, winner of Minna no Yume Award 3)
• - Kentaro Yoshitoh (CEO and co-founder of Orii Lab, winner of Minna no Yume Award 4)
• - Nana Takamatsu (YouTuber and CEO of Warakamura Inc., winner of Minna no Yume Award 13)

Each of these individuals started with a dream that transformed into impactful ventures, highlighting the award's goal of fostering innovation and social responsibility.

About the Organizing Foundation

The Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for Fulfilling Everyone's Dreams is dedicated to spreading awareness about the power of dreams. It encourages individuals to have dreams and pursue them, aiming to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. Initiatives include the Minna no Yume Symposium, Future Business Card Workshops, and the ongoing Minna no Yume AWARD since 2020, which has included events for high school students.

In 2025, they successfully hosted a high school dream award presentation at the Osaka Kansai Expo, showcasing 10 finalists chosen from 2,564 high school applicants.

For more information on the event and participation details, please visit the foundation's official site at Minna no Yume.

Join Us!

Don't miss this opportunity to witness creative and socially responsible business ideas that can shape the future. We invite everyone to apply for attendance and partake in this remarkable experience.