The Exciting Conclusion of the 6th Atotsugi Koshien Kinki Block Championship

The much-anticipated Kinki Block Championship of the 6th Atotsugi Koshien event took place on January 20, 2026. This exciting pitch event showcased the innovative business ideas of successors from small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Participants were challenged to utilize existing business resources creatively for new ventures. After an intense competition, three outstanding candidates secured their places in the finals!

Winners Overview

- Kinki Economic Industry Bureau Director's Award: Hiroto Kobayashi from Marukin Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Hyogo Prefecture)
- Excellence Award Recipients: Jun Onishi from Nittosha Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Hyogo Prefecture)
- Yuuya Kawabata from Tatsuya Co., Ltd. (Headquartered in Osaka Prefecture)

The final showdown for the Atotsugi Koshien will be held on February 27, 2026, at Otemachi Mitsui Hall, where a total of 18 successful successors from various regional block contests will converge.

The Kinki Block Championship Details

The event was hosted at OVAL HALL, featuring 15 successors who passed the document screening stage. Each competitor delivered a robust four-minute presentation followed by a six-minute Q&A session with industry judges.

Finalists and Their Themes

1. Hiroto Kobayashi, Marukin Co., Ltd.: “Showcasing the Excellence of Japanese Knives to the World! HONMAMON JAPAN”
2. Jun Onishi, Nittosha Co., Ltd.: “Redesigning Matches to Fit Modern Lifestyles”
3. Yuuya Kawabata, Tatsuya Co., Ltd.: “Eliminating the Impossible in the Steel Frame Industry — Building the Future on Strong Foundations”

Additionally, Hiroto Kobayashi also received the Minato Atotsugi Award for his theme about Japanese knives, demonstrating a significant recognition at the event.

About Atotsugi Koshien

The Atotsugi Koshien is a pitch event designed for successors of SMEs and small businesses to present business ideas that leverage existing assets. Participants experience four-minute presentations followed by Q&A sessions, evaluated by knowledgeable judges from diverse professional backgrounds. Each regional block identified three participants to proceed to the finals, culminating in an exciting showcase of business innovation.

Finals Overview

- Date: February 27, 2026
- Venue: Otemachi Mitsui Hall (Tokyo)

The finals will feature various awards, including:

- Economic Minister Award (1 recipient)
- Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Commissioner Award (1 recipient)
- Innovation and Environmental Bureau Director Award (1 recipient)

Judges for the Finals

A panel of esteemed judges, including executives and professors, will evaluate the finalists. Notable names include:

- Hikaru Kuroda, President of Kokuyo Co., Ltd.
- Minako Suematsu, Chairman and President of The Japan Times
- Hiroaki Sugita, Professor at the Waseda University Graduate School of Business
- Yutaka Konno, Representative Partner of Globis Capital Partners
- Akihiko Nagata, President of UntroD Capital Japan

Attendance Information

Both onsite and online viewing options are available for this competition. Interested viewers are encouraged to register via the link provided, with a deadline of 23:59 the day before the event.
For more information and to register:
Atotsugi Koshien Viewing Registration

Event Administration

The 6th Atotsugi Koshien is organized by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency as part of the 2026 successor support network project. The administrative body includes Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC from Tokyo and the Venture-type Business Succession Association from Osaka, ensuring that this initiative is delivered effectively and efficiently.