#Japan #SDGs #Shinjuku #Benesse #Career Gateway

University Students Present Innovative Solutions for SDGs

On January 17, 2026, the finals of the Career Gateway 2025 Business Contest were held, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Organized by Benesse i-Career, a joint venture between Benesse Holdings Inc. and Persol Career Inc., this event gathered an impressive total of 135 university students from 62 institutions, highlighting the innovative capabilities of young minds in tackling pressing social challenges.

A record-breaking 104 project proposals were submitted for consideration in the finals. Participants were tasked with developing applications aimed at addressing specific social issues related to the SDGs. During the finals, finalists presented their findings before a panel of judges from 15 career education partner companies, demonstrating thorough analysis and creative problem-solving strategies, ranging from user research to projected outcomes and business models.

Grand Prize Winner: CareConnect

The esteemed Grand Prize went to the project titled “CareConnect: Filling the Shift Gaps”. This app aims to directly address the critical pain points in the nursing field by leveraging AI for shift optimization and immediate matching of temporary personnel. It carefully clarifies various factors like shift creation time and required skills for individual staff members, ensuring compliance with regulations and fairness in the process. The winning project was presented by Naoki Ishii, a sophomore from Keio University.

Evaluation Highlights:

• - The presentation featured a narrative that conveyed a strong emotional realism,
• - A sharp perspective delving into the structural causes of the disconnect between shift management and recruitment,
• - The presenter impressed the audience with outstanding presentation skills, securing the highest votes from attendees.

Runner-Up Recognition

The competition also recognized several other noteworthy projects:

• - CloverFit: Well-being Training for Seniors - This app, designed by Satoshi Ogawa from Keio University, aims to enhance health and happiness for seniors in care facilities, integrating findings from happiness research.
• - Takumi no Mado - Created by Yoshikazu Kobuki from Cyber University, this platform focuses on the online sales of traditional crafts and matching successors, fostering the inheritance of traditional arts.

Special Commendations

Various awards, including the Corporate Award, were given to outstanding projects that demonstrated strong impacts in sectors like food balance, urban agriculture, and skill-sharing among students through applications developed by prominent companies, including Asahi Beer and Toyota Connected.

A New Generation of Mentors

This year marked the fourth iteration of the Business Contest, which stood out for its unique approach, transforming former contestants into mentors for younger students. Seniors, having experienced the contest themselves, guided first and second-year students in refining their project ideas, resulting in a rich learning environment fostering cooperation and growth.

Feedback from Organizers:
The organizers noted an increasing interest from universities in participating in the contest, reflecting the realization that these competitions offer significant value to students' academic experiences. There is a clear understanding of the importance of nurturing a sense of career ownership among university students, facilitating their preparation for future careers and contributing effectively to society.

The Career Gateway 2025 Business Contest serves as a testament to the innovative spirit and social responsibility of the next generation. As these young minds continue to forge paths towards sustainability, they represent a hopeful future in addressing global challenges.