The 20th Nationwide High School Economic Quiz Championship Begins Entry Registration

The 20th Nationwide High School Economic Quiz Championship: Registration Open!

The Economics Koshien, a renowned quiz competition for high school students across Japan, is now open for entry. This contest pits students against each other in a test of their knowledge of finance and economics through quiz-based challenges. Teams that win in their regional qualifiers gain the opportunity to compete in the national finals held in Tokyo. The ultimate champions receive a prestigious study trip to New York City.

About the Economics Koshien

Launched to foster financial literacy among youth, the Economics Koshien sees participation from high school teams from all prefectures. The tournament is structured in such a way that it not only prepares students to handle financial responsibilities in adulthood but also embraces technology through online platforms, especially relevant amidst the ongoing digital transformation.

The regional tournaments will take place between November and December 2025, either online or in-person at local financial institutions, while the grand national event is slated for February 2026 in Tokyo. Each team consists of two students from the same high school, and there is no entry fee required. Interested participants can register through the official Economics Koshien website at https://econ-koshien.com/.

The Importance of Financial Education Today

In response to the revision of the educational curriculum in 2022, financial education has become a crucial part of high school home economics classes. With the legal adulthood age lowered to 18 in Japan, there is an urgent need for students to understand financial products, such as credit card contracts, stocks, private insurance, and investment funds. Awareness of the benefits and pitfalls of these financial tools is vital.

As payment methods diversify and become more convenient, teaching students sound money management and consumer education has never been more important. This competition serves as a significant platform for high school students to deepen their understanding of essential economic concepts.

Last year, the 19th edition of the championship saw participation from an impressive 731 teams, totaling 1,462 students nationwide. The finals concluded with the championship title going to the team from Sundai Kofu High School representing Yamanashi Prefecture on February 23.

Event Structure

1. Entry Process:
Students can register in pairs on the official website, ensuring they are from the same high school. No registration fee is charged.
Visit the official website for more details: https://econ-koshien.com/

Once registered, participants receive study materials created by various governmental and industry bodies to prepare them ahead of the competition. The quizzes often incorporate questions derived from these educational resources.

2. Regional Tournaments:
- Total of 40 tournaments across 39 prefectural events and one online competition.
- Organized by volunteer financial institutions in local regions.
- Dates: November to December 2025 (flowering local variations in scheduling).
- Format: Variety of formats including in-person and online.
- Content: Includes written quizzes and buzzer rounds.
- Winning teams secure a place at the national finals.
For more details, visit: https://econ-koshien.com/?post_type=local

3. National Finals:
- Organized by the certified NPO Financial Literacy Promotion Association (https://apfl.or.jp/).
- Scheduled for February 21-22, 2026.
- Supported by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment, Financial Services Agency, Consumer Affairs Agency, and the Japan Financial Education Promotion Organization (J-FLEC).
- Participants face quizzes that require deeper knowledge of financial economics, and the champions receive a study trip to New York.
- The competition also serves as a qualifier for the International Economics Olympiad (IEO), with top performers advancing to final selection camps for the Japanese team.

International Economics Olympiad (IEO)

The IEO, akin to international science competitions like the International Mathematical Olympiad, has been held annually since 2018. This global event challenges students in economics and finance knowledge, alongside business presentation skills, exclusively in English.
Japan first participated in IEO 2023 in Greece, with selections and dispatching managed by the certified NPO Financial Literacy Promotion Association.

The Japanese representatives in the 2025 IEO held in Baku, Azerbaijan showcased exceptional talent, earning medals with two members achieving silver, marking Japan's best performance to date.
For more information about the IEO initiatives, visit: https://www.ieojapan.jp/