Empowering Middle School Students through Entrepreneurship Education in Japan

Promoting Entrepreneurship Education in Japanese Middle Schools

In September 2025, Hiroki Mori, the representative director of the Japan Children's Education Creation Organization, conducted a series of entrepreneurship classes as a Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) "Entrepreneurship Promotion Ambassador". The initiative targeted three middle schools: Saitama City Mizono Junior High School, Nagoya City Ueda Junior High School, and Ariake Junior High School in Nagasaki Prefecture. The goal of these sessions was to support inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to identify social issues stemming from their interests and take action toward solutions.

Class Overview

1. Saitama City Mizono Junior High School (Online Session)
Date: September 8, 2025
Participants: 130 third-year students
Objective: The theme focused on community contribution, helping students engage in product development and sales. Using personal experiences, Mori facilitated a workshop that guided students to brainstorm business ideas based on familiar surroundings. This session aimed to inspire and provide ideas for their planned product development activities.

2. Nagoya City Ueda Junior High School (In-Person Session)
Date: September 18, 2025
Participants: 281 third-year students
Objective: The school’s annual inquiry project is themed around the concept that “a change in the world begins by making even just one person happy.” The session aimed for students to hear and experience the origins and motivations of entrepreneurship. Mori shared stories from his own experiences and provided examples from elementary students who had taken on challenges. This session encouraged students to view problem-solving as a personal endeavor, inspiring excitement about possibilities.

3. Ariake Junior High School, Nagasaki Prefecture (Online Session)
Date: September 22, 2025
Participants: 79 students from first to third years
Objective: This session focused on learning the mindsets needed to thrive as independent members of society and professionals. Utilizing local relevance, such as the concept of the sea, Mori explained entrepreneurship in an accessible manner and shared examples of how to establish new businesses.

Insight from Hiroki Mori

Reflecting on the sessions, Mori emphasized that personal passions can act as a significant catalyst for learning. He expressed hope that through these classes, students would discover the joy in taking risks and the thrill of connecting with society. Mori aimed to bridge academic learning with real-world experiences, believing in each student's potential and offering ongoing support.

About the Japan Children's Education Creation Organization

Founded in October 2012, the Japan Children's Education Creation Organization has been operating educational facilities for children for over ten years. Located in Chuo and Koto districts of Tokyo, the organization runs three after-school programs and engages in various educational projects, including computer science, entrepreneurship education, and career education.
For more information, visit Japan Children's Education Creation Organization.
Representative Director: Hiroki Mori
Location: 3-3-19 Kachidoki, Chuo, Tokyo, 104-0054, Japan
Main Activities: (1) Educational initiatives for young children and after-school care, (2) Entrepreneurial education, (3) Childcare initiatives.

Collaborative Curriculum Development: Co-Creation Organization Co-Creation.