#Japan #Machida #Machida City #Reading Contest #POP Contest

Promote Your Favorite Book! The One-Line POP Contest 2025 in Machida

The City Library of Machida is excited to announce its upcoming event, the One-Line POP Contest 2025. This initiative is specifically designed for young readers aged 9 to 18 who live or study in Machida or neighboring cities. The goal is to inspire a love for reading among the youth by encouraging them to share their favorite books in a creative way.

Participants will create Point Of Purchase (POP) cards to showcase their chosen books. Last year's contest saw an impressive total of 510 submissions, demonstrating the enthusiastic involvement of local young readers. Award-winning submissions will be turned into bookmarks and distributed across city libraries and bookstores, further promoting the joy of reading.

Application Period

• - From: November 15, 2025 (Saturday)
• - To: January 18, 2026 (Sunday)

Eligibility

This contest is open to:

• - Elementary school students from 4th grade to 18 years of age
• - Residents or students of Machida or surrounding cities including Hachioji, Hino, Inagi, Tama, Chofu, Fuchu, Sagamihara, Kawasaki, Yokohama, and Yamato.

Participants must ensure they submit their entries by the deadline.

How to Enter

Participants can submit their entries either by bringing them directly to any city library or the Municipal Literature Museum, or through mail by sending them to:

• - Central Library Planning & Community Support Section

194-0013, Harachida 3-2-9
All submissions must arrive by the deadline to qualify.

For more specific details, please refer to the Machida City Central Library website.

Contest Process

1. Choose a favorite book and create a POP card highlighting it.
2. Submit the POP cards to any city library or the Municipal Literature Museum.
3. The first round of judging will be conducted by library staff.
4. A second round will involve voting by library visitors, bookstore employees, and individuals active in reading promotion.
5. Winners will be selected as follows:
- Best Award: 1 winner
- Excellence Awards: 2 winners
- Library Council Award: 1 winner
- Library Director’s Special Award: 1 winner
Winning entries will also receive recognition through bookmark distribution in libraries and bookstores throughout the city.

Sponsors

The contest is supported by prominent local businesses including Kinokuniya Bookstore, TSUTAYA Machida Kiso Store, Kumido Co., Ltd. Honmachi Store, and Book First Lumine Machida Store.

This contest not only fosters creativity among the youth, but also invites the community to celebrate the world of literature together. We look forward to seeing the creative entries from all participants in 2025!