#Japan #Minato #Photo Contest #Kanko Gakuseifuku #School Uniform

The 4th School Uniform Photo Contest Awards Ceremony

On October 19, 2025, the Kanko Gakuseifuku Co., Ltd., a company based in Okayama and dedicated to supporting children's dreams and educational experiences, held the awarding ceremony of the 4th School Uniform Photo Contest. The event took place at Avex's headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, highlighting the creativity and talent of middle and high school students across Japan.

This year’s contest drew an impressive total of 2,107 submissions from students. The awards presented include the Grand Prize, excellence awards across four categories, special jury awards, and the Kanko Prize. The chief judge, renowned photographer Mineko Orisaku, provided insights on the contest entries and reasons behind each award given.

All awarded entries, along with their highlights and judges’ comments, are available for viewing on the event's special website. View Entries Here. Additionally, preparations for the 5th School Uniform Photo Contest are underway, with details expected to be announced by December 2025.

Event Summary

• - Date: October 19, 2025, from 13:30 to 16:00
• - Location: Avex Headquarters, Minato, Tokyo

Overview of the 4th School Uniform Photo Contest

• - Theme: “#OurSeason”
• - Submission Period: December 17, 2024 - August 25, 2025
• - Categories: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter
• - Total Entries: 2,107 (Spring: 477, Summer: 1,340, Autumn: 140, Winter: 143)
• - Awards: Grand Prize, Excellence Awards (four categories), Special Jury Prizes (four in total), Kanko Prize, and selection for 20 finalists from one school winning the School Prize.
• - Organized by: Kanko Gakuseifuku Co., Ltd.
• - Supported by: All Japan High School Cultural Federation
• - Planned and Produced by: Avex Alliance & Partners
• - Judges include: Chief Judge Mineko Orisaku (Photographer and Department Head of the Osaka University of Arts) and others from the photography and media industries.

Highlights of Winning Submissions

• - Grand Prize: Yatsushiro Shirayuri Gakuen (Kumamoto) - Year 3, Arisa Yoshinaga with “Memories in the Snow.”
• - Spring Excellence Award: Tama City Tama Nagayama Junior High (Tokyo) - Year 3, Ritsu Urabe with “Break Time.”
• - Summer Excellence Award: Okayama Prefectural Okayama Ouzan High School (Okayama) - Year 2, Rin Shibuya with “Splash!”
• - Autumn Excellence Award: Kobe International University High School (Hyogo) - Year 1, Ayano Hanashiro with “A Moment of Rest.”
• - Winter Excellence Award: Fukui Prefectural Nyu High School (Fukui) - Year 3, Kana Kato with “Laughter on the Snow.”
• - Special Jury Awards were also awarded to students from various schools across Japan, highlighting their unique perspectives on school life.

Comments from the Chief Judge

Mineko Orisaku noted that splitting the contest into four seasonal categories allowed for a greater diversity of submissions than in previous years. This year saw a significant increase in autumn and winter entries, showcasing the unique perspectives and charm of each season. She emphasized the importance of photography as a medium for capturing ephemeral moments, especially those unique to the youthful experiences of students wearing uniforms—a motif that embodies the spirit of their adolescence.

She encourages creativity in future contests, anticipating that students continue to seize moments worth photographing and further develop their artistic expressions.

Conclusion

The School Uniform Photo Contest, initiated to encourage and support the artistic endeavors of middle and high school students, has made significant strides in promoting creativity among youth in Japan. Kanko Gakuseifuku remains committed to nurturing the educational experiences of children through programs like this, which not only foster artistic talents but also celebrate the vibrant moments of school life. For information on the upcoming 5th School Uniform Photo Contest, stay tuned to Kanko Gakuseifuku's official website: Kanko Gakuseifuku Official Site.