Interactive Investment Experience for Kids Launching at Kandu in Rifu, Miyagi

Innovative Financial Literacy Initiative at Kandu

Starting September 8, 2025, a new activity called the "Investment Experience Game" will make its debut at the children’s themed experiential park, Kandu in Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture. This initiative comes from a collaboration between Mercury Co., Ltd., a talent service company, and AEON Bank, aimed at enriching the lives of those they engage with through diverse talent hiring and development.

The Investment Experience Game is designed as a card game that simulates stock investment. This fun format allows children to understand the concepts of investment risk and returns while experiencing the role of a bank employee. Participants will also learn about managing their assets through fixed deposits and the importance of fraud prevention, which contributes significantly to improving financial literacy for the next generation.

The Growing Significance of Financial Education

In recent years, Japan has seen a rising importance in asset formation due to the aging population and changes in social security systems. The government has identified enhancing financial literacy as a national priority, making asset formation a mandatory subject in high schools since 2022. However, opportunities for elementary school students to learn about safe investment practices and money management remain limited.

Moreover, the rising incidence of investment scams and fraudulent information products targeting minors through social media poses new challenges. Financial education is essential not just for future asset accumulation but also for empowering children to protect themselves against such risks.

Activity Overview

- Activity Name: Investment Experience Game
- Launch Date: September 8, 2025
- Location: 1st Floor of AEON Mall Shinto Rifu, 3-1-1 Shin-Nakamichi, Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture
- Age Group: Ages 3 to 15
- Duration: Around 15 minutes
- Capacity: 4 participants per session

Activity Content:

1. Experience investment through a card game (1 turn = 1 year, totaling 3 turns)
2. Learn about stable asset management through fixed deposits
3. Acquire knowledge to avoid dangers through a scam scenario featuring a villain character
4. Reward participants with in-park currency "Katchin" earned during the game

Key Features of the Experience

1. Learning through Play: Children naturally learn about asset formation and risk management through a card game format that simulates stock investment.
2. Realistic Fraud Prevention: The game incorporates scenarios where staff members role-play as bank employees to thwart scams, helping kids build the skills to recognize and avoid potential dangers.
3. Connecting Learning to Action: The in-park currency “Katchin” earned from the game can be spent at the park, linking learning experiences to future actions and engagements.
4. Balancing Fun and Learning: The entire experience is designed to make learning enjoyable, fostering interests in social and economic structures through fun narratives.

Future Prospects

Mercury envisions further expanding opportunities for children to learn about societal mechanisms and safe living through various themes, including financial education, legal literacy, disaster prevention education, and food education.

About Kandu Shinto Rifu

Kandu provides an experiential theme park where children can try out their dream jobs. With 18 different occupations available, kids can learn not only about the joys of work but also about financial flows through practical experience.

- Location: 1st Floor of AEON Mall Shinto Rifu, 3-1-1 Shin-Nakamichi, Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture
- Business Days: Irregular
- Operating Hours:

- Morning Session: 10:00 – 14:05 (Experience up to 4 jobs)
- Afternoon Session: 14:55 – 18:05 (Experience up to 3 jobs)
- Evening Session: 18:30 – 19:40 (Experience 1 job)