Tokyo, July 13, 2026 — Kokoromachi Co., Ltd. has been selected as a supported organization under the FY2026 EDU-Port Japan initiative (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), a public-private program.

The selected project, “Bringing Inquiry-Based Learning to the World: A STEAM Contest Tackling Challenges in our Aging Society,” brings together junior and senior high school students from Japan and Hong Kong to explore one of the most pressing challenges shared by both societies: population aging.

Through the program, students examine issues affecting older adults from different cultural and social perspectives. They then develop their own solutions using inquiry-based learning, design thinking, artificial intelligence, Micro programming, marketing analysis, and English-language presentations.

A Shared Challenge Across Borders

Japan and Hong Kong are among the world’s most rapidly aging societies. While both regions face common concerns, including healthcare, mobility, social isolation, and access to services, their different social systems and everyday cultures shape how these challenges are experienced and addressed.

The project uses these similarities and differences as a foundation for international learning. Students are encouraged not only to identify problems, but also to listen to the experiences of others, test their assumptions, and translate their ideas into practical proposals.

By applying the inquiry-based learning methods developed in Japanese classrooms within an international setting, our partners aims to nurture empathy, independent thinking, creativity, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural understanding.

The program is also designed as a two-way learning opportunity. Insights gained through collaboration with students, educators, and professionals in Hong Kong will contribute to the continued internationalization and qualitative development of education in Japan.

From Classroom Learning to an International Competition

From January to May 2026, participating schools in Japan and Hong Kong took part in training sessions covering design thinking, Micro programming, and AI-assisted prototyping.

Following regional selection rounds, seven teams were chosen in Hong Kong and six teams were selected in Japan through BYD Education Co., Ltd. A total of 14 teams advanced to the international final.

The final competition was held on June 28, 2026, at Komagome Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo. Each team delivered a five-minute presentation in English, followed by a question-and-answer session with the judging panel.

The projects demonstrated how young people can approach shared social challenges through technology, research, empathy, and international collaboration.

Learning Beyond the Competition

The program continued on June 29 with corporate workshops delivered by Kao Corporation and Lotte Co., Ltd.

Students participated in practical activities including market research, visits to convenience stores, product analysis, and presentation exercises. These activities helped them consider how consumer behavior, business strategy, and cultural context influence the development of products and services.

FY2026 Winner of the HK-JP Youth International Competition for Gerontechnology

Two winning teams from Japan will subsequently be invited to participate in a study tour in Hong Kong. The program will include attendance at the Golden Age Expo & Summit, a visit to The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), opportunities to exchange ideas with university professors, and visits to local startups.

Building an International Education Network

The initiative is co-coordinated by Kokoromachi Co., Ltd., which is responsible for the project management and partnerships.

“We are honored that this project has been selected. Population aging is a shared challenge for both Japan and Hong Kong, and we believe this project will help nurture a new generation of innovators through cross-cultural exchange and learning from diverse perspectives.

Through this initiative, we hope to empower young people to address social challenges beyond national and cultural boundaries and to share their ideas and learning with the wider world.”

About EDU-Port Japan

EDU-Port Japan is a “public-private, nationwide” initiative to proactively introduce Japanese-style education overseas by providing a platform which is organized by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and from in which the public and private sectors collaborate in achieving this objective. The platform is supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and many other organizations including NGOs and private businesses. During the first phase of “Project for Introduction of Japanese-style Education Using Public-Private collaborative Platforms (EDU-Port Japan 1.0)” (2016-2020), a variety of pilot projects had been implemented in a total of 36 countries and regions. The “Research Project for promoting Japanese-style Education Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic (EDU-Port Japan 2.0)” began in 2021.

Official website:
https://www.eduport.mext.go.jp/
https://www.eduport.mext.go.jp/case/support-project/project-list/

About Kokoromachi Co., Ltd.

Kokoromachi Co., Ltd. is a consulting company operating across a wide range of fields, with sustainability at the core of its activities. The company serves as a bridge between Japan and the world, helping businesses, institutions, and projects build sustainable global connections while supporting long-term international collaboration and the creation of social value.

This program is led by Education Director Cheng Chun Yip (Rono). Originally from Hong Kong and currently based in Japan, Rono studied physics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong before earning a Master of Education specializing in STEM education from the University of Hong Kong. Drawing on ten years of experience in STEM education and school management in Hong Kong, he is responsible for designing educational programs that connect Japan and Hong Kong.

https://www.kokoromachi.co.jp/steam-project