#Japan #Tokyo #Atotsugi Koshien #Japan Times #Kokuyo Corp

The 6th Atotsugi Koshien Championship: Finalists Announced

The anticipation has been building for the highly awaited 6th Atotsugi Koshien Championship, where the champions of Japan's small and medium-sized enterprise successors will showcase their innovative business ideas. After completing all regional contests, the final 18 participants have been determined, setting the stage for a fierce competition on February 27, 2026, at the prestigious Otemachi Mitsui Hall.

Overview of the Championship

Atotsugi Koshien serves as a platform to encourage early business succession and support the challenges faced by successors under the age of 39. Participants are tasked with leveraging existing business resources to present new business ideas. The format of the pitches will include a four-minute presentation followed by six minutes of intensive Q&A from a panel of judges.

Judging Panel

The judging panel for the final event is impressive and features prominent figures including:

• - Hidetsugu Kuroda, CEO of Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
• - Minako Suematsu, Chairman and CEO of The Japan Times, Inc.
• - Hiroaki Sugita, Professor at Waseda University
• - Jō Konno, Partner at GLOBIS Capital Partners
• - Akihiko Nagata, President of UntroD Capital Japan

These experts will evaluate the pitches and award several honors, including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Award, and the newly established Innovation and Environment Bureau Award.

Event Details

Date: February 27, 2026
Venue: Otemachi Mitsui Hall
Location: 1-2-1 Otemachi One, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0004
Schedule:

• - 12:30 PM: Doors Open
• - 1:00 PM: Opening Remarks and Judge Introductions
• - 1:15 PM: Pitch Presentations (1-18) with breaks included
• - 4:55 PM: Panel Discussion
• - 5:45 PM: Award Announcements and Closing Remarks
• - 6:30 PM: Photo Session

Participants and attendees are invited to register for both in-person and virtual attendance through the official application link. Note that registration will close at 10 AM the day of the event, with in-person spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Regional Contest Overview

The regional contests preceding the final were highly competitive, featuring 225 applicants narrowed down to 90 after a rigorous selection process. Challengers represented six different blocks: Hokkaido and Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kinki, Chugoku and Shikoku, and Kyushu and Okinawa. Each regional event selected three top candidates to advance to the final championship.

Previous Winners

During last year’s event, Takahiro Ashida from Ashida Co., Ltd. (Kyoto) clinched the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award, while Ryotaro Imaizumi from Toyumi Seiko Co., Ltd. (Gifu) received the Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Award. The competition showcases not just concepts but innovative entrepreneurship that could influence Japan’s business landscape moving forward.

Conclusion

The 6th Atotsugi Koshien Championship promises to be an inspiring event, spotlighting the future of business in Japan through its dedicated successors. It is a crucial initiative for fostering entrepreneurial spirit and ensuring the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises. Stay tuned for updates as the event approaches!