#Japan #Tokyo #Hackathon #Bunkyo Gakuin #SB Innovation Venture

Exploring Solutions: A Hackathon for Social Issues

Overview of the Event

In collaboration with SB Innovation Venture Co., Ltd., Bunkyo Gakuin University, led by President Tsutomu Fukui, is thrilled to announce the upcoming Exploratory Learning Hackathon. This event, set to take place from August 18 to August 22, 2026, at the Hongo Campus, aims to empower high school students to develop solutions to pressing social issues affecting youth. Participants will work together with university students and professionals, focusing on areas such as mental health, disaster prevention, and multicultural coexistence.

What is the Exploratory Learning Hackathon?

The Exploratory Learning Hackathon is a four-day hands-on program where high schoolers, alongside university students and new venture executives from SB Innovation Venture, will design smartphone applications that address real-world problems. Each team will select from six specific themes related to societal challenges. Through collaborative discussions, they will analyze these issues and identify potential solutions.

Students will utilize the UI design tool Figma to create app interface prototypes, culminating in a presentation of their ideas on the final day. One of the unique aspects of this program is the emphasis on business viability, enabling participants to receive guidance from experts in creating successful startups.

Example Themes for 2026

• - Addressing mental health issues and social isolation among young people
• - Combatting health risks due to irregular lifestyles
• - Creating community spaces that foster connections across generations
• - Enhancing local disaster preparedness and mutual support systems
• - Supporting the adaptation of foreign workers in local communities
• - Providing language and cultural assistance in increasingly multicultural educational environments

Last year, five teams successfully created application prototypes using Figma, followed by presentations to corporate representatives. This hands-on experience allows high school students to transform their ideas into tangible products, honing their problem-finding and inquiry abilities developed through their high school curriculum while collaborating with businesses and university partners.

Event Details

• - Date: August 18, 19, 20 from 13:00 to 17:00, August 22 from 9:00 to 12:00
• - Participation Fee: Free
• - Location: Bunkyo Gakuin University, Hongo Campus, 1-19-1 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
• - Themes: Teams will choose from the six topics listed above.
• - Eligibility: High school students (grades 10 to 12) and technical college students
• - Capacity: 20 to 30 participants (registration ends when the maximum is reached)
• - Application Deadline: August 8, 2026

Application Process

To apply, please use the QR code or contact us via fax or email. Ensure to include:
1. Full name (with furigana)
2. School name
3. Grade
4. Email address
5. Phone number
6. Fax number

Phone applications are not accepted. Use one of the methods specified above.
Please ensure you provide a contact email address. If you do not have an email, please use fax.

Organizers

• - Host: Bunkyo Gakuin University, Faculty of Human Data Science
• - Cooperation: SB Innovation Venture Co., Ltd.

Contact for Inquiries

For more information about this event:

• - Email: [email protected]