#Japan #Kyoto #Entrepreneur Club #SAMURAI Foundation #AICJ International School

The Launch of SAMURAI Entrepreneur Club

The general incorporated foundation, SAMURAI Foundation, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, has announced the initiation of its first extracurricular entrepreneurship education program, the SAMURAI Entrepreneur Club. This innovative program is tailored for fifth and sixth graders, and its inaugural activities will commence at AICJ International School in Kyoto on Thursday, June 11, 2026.

As part of its mission to foster entrepreneurial skills among youth, the SAMURAI Foundation plans to gradually establish a total of 4 to 6 pilot clubs starting at AICJ International School this year. This represents the first step toward achieving the foundation's ambitious vision of launching 2,000 clubs nationwide over the next 50 years. The guiding philosophy behind the SAMURAI Entrepreneur Club is to "think big, start small, and build a solid model," allowing for meticulous observation and validation of the learning process in real-world settings.

Overview of the Pilot Club

• - Implementing School: AICJ International School, Kyoto
• - Target Group: 5th and 6th graders
• - Start Date: Thursday, June 11, 2026
• - Format: Weekly after-school sessions, a total of 14 classes until February 2027, provided at no cost.

Why AICJ International School Kyoto?

AICJ International School is dedicated to nurturing individuals capable of contributing to a global society. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, it implements a transdisciplinary learning approach based on the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). This fosters not only critical thinking but also the spirit of inquiry and challenges.

The philosophical alignment between AICJ International School and the SAMURAI Foundation is significant. While the school encourages learners to pose questions and take risks, the SAMURAI Entrepreneur Club emphasizes collaboration and challenge through responsible roles. The partnership will ensure that the annual curriculum is coherent and lays the groundwork for scalable models for the following years.

Insights from AICJ International School

Jyun Maruta, Homeroom Learning Designer & IBEN Workshop Leader

"In the IB PYP framework, 'thinking' goes hand-in-hand with 'action.' It's vital for students to engage not just with knowledge but also with their own inquiries and experiences. This approach fosters their autonomy and creativity. I resonate deeply with the SAMURAI Foundation's philosophy that the key to changing the world lies in the choice of 'doing or not doing.' The SAMURAI Entrepreneur Club values collective learning through facing challenges and diverse dialogues, aligning closely with the educational ethos of the PYP. We’ve received feedback from parents of students who participated in last year’s summer camp, expressing that they learned the importance of attempting challenges rather than assessing their ability to succeed or fail. This ongoing program offers deeper engagement, and together, we aim to convey to the world from Kyoto the belief that things change by taking action."

Participate in Building Educational Infrastructure

The SAMURAI Foundation is currently seeking participants for the club in various capacities:

• - Founding Partners: Organizations interested in being actively involved in the club's establishment and operation (accepting applications until December 2026).
• - Sponsoring Partners & Individual Supporters: Contributions from businesses and individuals who share the vision.
• - Operational Support Members: Entrepreneurs, curriculum developers, and community coordinators to assist in running the program.
• - Participating Schools and Local Governments: Schools or educational boards interested in implementing the SAMURAI Entrepreneur Club.

For inquiries, please use the contact form here or email [email protected].

About the SAMURAI Foundation

• - Name: General Incorporated Foundation SAMURAI
• - Established: April 14, 2026
• - Location: 4th Floor, Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza B, 5-9-1 Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo
• - Representative Director: Kentaro Sakakibara
• - Business Scope: Designing and operating entrepreneurship education programs for elementary students, collaborations with educational institutions and local governments, educational research, and information dissemination.
• - Website: SAMURAI Foundation

For more details on this initiative, please contact the SAMURAI Foundation at the email provided. Together, let's foster the entrepreneurial spirit in our future leaders!