[J:COM] “SDGs Action Support Project for University Students” Two best actions to solve regional issues decided – Guest judge Suzu Yamanouchi “I’m proud as someone from my generation” –
J:COM Press release: November 5, 2024 “SDGs Action Support Project for University Students” Selects the two best actions to solve regional issues ~ Guest judge Suzu Yamanouchi “I’m proud as someone from my generation” ~
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7676/1530/7676-1530-836f7358626426f7ca984e54b13b26ac-463×364.png Team name: mirai
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7676/1530/7676-1530-333e770e0b84d65fe1f5c4926b1a02e0-369×246.png JCOM Corporation (J:COM, Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President and CEO: Yoichi Iwaki), as part of its efforts to support the next generation’s challenges, has received feedback from university students from all over the country about solving local issues that they would like to start or expand on. We are currently implementing the “SDGs Action Support Project for University Students,” which J:COM is implementing and supporting. On November 4th (Monday, holiday), a poster session was held at the J:COM headquarters by the 12 teams that passed the first selection, and we invited experts in regional problem solving and business creation, as well as Suzu Yamanouchi as a guest judge. Then, we conducted a review together with J:COM employees and decided on the best action. The two teams selected for the best action will be supported by J:COM in order to realize their ideas. In addition, the execution status of the best action will be broadcast on the community channel “J:COM Channel” in March 2025 and distributed on J:COM official YouTube. ■Project background Until now, J:COM has been disseminating information and calling for participation in specific initiatives to achieve the SDGs through community channels and other means.From 2023, J:COM will invite university students who are conducting research and initiatives related to the SDGs to participate in local We have been reporting on university students’ efforts to address local issues, such as interviewing them on information programs and broadcasting a special feature titled “SDGs Week with University Students.” This time, we want to provide support that goes one step further, so in addition to disseminating our efforts, we are implementing the “Action Support Project” to develop the activities that university students are already engaged in and create opportunities for them to take on new challenges. did.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7676/1530/7676-1530-0d5a16c5aa3860f8e7162e7313436149-701×408.png ■ Pattern of the day The final selection was held in the form of a poster session, which was not only a screening process, but also a place for new ideas and community creation, with an exchange of opinions between 23 university students from 12 teams, experts, and J:COM. A lively exchange of opinions took place, with not only the participating students but also guest judge Suzu Yamanouchi asking the participating university students questions about the content of the project and their thoughts on solving regional issues. You can also watch a digest of the day’s events on YouTube. URL:
https://youtu.be/ofambb3Vc0o ■Best action selection team
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7676/1530/7676-1530-36e87fd0d3fe6f4d169175f31ba0df23-451×301.png Team mirai Action name: Book of Nosari Target area: Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture “Nosari no Sho”* is a book created by travelers who visit Amakusa and write about the people they meet and the things that move their hearts on postcards. The content is that I would like you to meet me. Through this activity, we aim to connect travelers and local people, increase the number of people involved, and revitalize the local economy through the use of local currency. *”Nosari” means “both good and bad things are gifts from heaven.” We believe that revitalizing regions where regional issues are clearly evident will lead to a brighter future for Japan. So we decided to start by conveying the charms of our hometown, Kumamoto, that only those who have actually visited can understand. Specifically, we have people write postcards about things that moved them and create a tourism book, and the next visitor can learn about the memories of the previous person in the form of a tourist book, encouraging them to have a wonderful experience. I started “Sari no Sho”. All nine members of the team discussed and decided what they wanted to convey most in a short time for the final selection. In addition to what we have been doing so far, we will begin by expanding this initiative so that we can spread the charm of Kumamoto throughout the country.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7676/1530/7676-1530-89fbad392c70716ad810d06f2fd93703-450×300.png Solving Kitakyushu City’s issues with food! ! Action name: Eating bamboo?! Suggestions for famous souvenirs from Kitakyushu City’s Sora no Entrance Target area: Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture In order to solve the problem of bamboo damage caused by neglected bamboo forests, which is a problem in Kitakyushu City, we will develop products made from bamboo and sell souvenirs that are representative of Kitakyushu City. By taking advantage of the benefits of bamboo charcoal and developing flavors that symbolize the region, we aim to create souvenirs that are rooted in the region. We came up with the idea of making “pitch black karinto” using bamboo charcoal, based on two thoughts: we wanted to solve bamboo damage, which is a regional issue in Kitakyushu City, and we wanted to make a souvenir that would take root in Kitakyushu City. In preparation for the final selection, we worked hard to improve and create posters that were concise and easy to understand. As for our future activities, we would like to commercialize “pitch black karinto” and deliver it to people all over the country as souvenirs from Kitakyushu City. We will reach out to local companies to commercialize the product and come up with specific measures to make it a reality. ■Judge evaluation ・Hiroshi Tanaka, Professor Emeritus, Chuo University This time, for the first time, I was able to see the students’ proposals as a judge. Above all, I would like to praise the fact that each proposal was conceived with enthusiasm and was the result of various trials. I was also impressed by the way they face local issues head-on. Considering the future, I would like to offer some advice. 1) I thought it would be better to delve deeper into the background of each issue and why that issue occurred. It is difficult to solve problems if you do not know why they occur. 2) I would like you to come up with a lot of ideas and then consider screening them. I want them to be enthusiastic enough to come up with at least 100 ideas and choose from them. This is because ideas are a battle of numbers. The proposals I’m looking forward to are ones that don’t just encourage local people, but encourage local people’s voluntary activities and create new value in them. I hope that you will be aware of various points of view and that you will continue to come up with excellent ideas. ・Tama Art University Professor Tatsuro Sato We need to break away from the
hyper-concentration in Tokyo and accelerate regional revitalization. I think there are almost no people who would object to this. However, in reality it is not so easy. The majority of Japan’s 1,718
municipalities, about 1,400, are on the brink of population decline. Under such circumstances, I feel that it is of great significance for J:COM, which has a business base in the region, to hold a contest like this. The projects that each student had worked so hard to create were all fascinating. From my point of view, the point that separated the award-winning work from the others was whether the solution had an original idea. is. Of course research and analysis are important, but I feel that I would like to see more emphasis placed on “idea-based solutions.” ■Comment from guest judge Suzu Yamanouchi
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/7676/1530/7676-1530-70a44e208c87dc7d8b897ba66f420ba7-1371×1812.jpg Today, the students came up with a lot of ideas that I had never imagined, and it was very stimulating. I think I will continue to work on various issues, and I am proud to have people like you in my generation. I think it’s meaningful for the younger generation, who will be living for many decades to come, to start this, and I feel that the sense of crisis that our generation has is connected to ideas like this. . I think there are many people who will be inspired by the younger generation who are working on initiatives like yours, so I look forward to supporting Japan in the future! Through this project, J:COM will co-create further actions to realize the SDGs with the young generation who will carry the future, and contribute to solving regional issues and revitalizing local communities. Reference information ■About broadcasting on J:COM channel Project name “(tentative) SDGs Action Support Project for University Students” Overview It depicts the examination and selection process for the “SDGs Action Support Project for University Students” and the efforts of the students selected for the best action. Broadcast date Scheduled for March 2025 Broadcast channel J:COM channel (terrestrial digital 11ch, *Shimonoseki area 12ch, Kumamoto area 10ch) Delivery YouTube Past special programs “SDGs considered by university students” https://www2.myjcom.jp/special/jch/sdgs/#ancG *Broadcasting and distribution may change without notice. ■Overview of “SDGs Action Support Project for University Students” Project name “SDGs Action Support Project for University Students” Recruitment theme Actions that you want to start or spread further to solve local issues Implementation details A total of 1 million yen worth of support will be provided to the idea selected as the best action in the final selection Application conditions ・I am interested in SDGs and want to take on the challenge of solving local issues University students, junior college students, vocational students, 4th and 5th year technical college students (Age doesn’t matter as long as you are enrolled in school at the time of entry) ・ Application unit: team (seminar/circle/volunteer) or individual ・ Place of residence: Japan ・Be able to participate in the final selection face-to-face ・Be able to implement ideas together with J:COM by the end of March 2025 ・Be able to cooperate with the interview Project site
https://www.jcom.co.jp/corporate/sustainability/community/co-creation Selection criteria ・ The content aims to “solve regional issues” ・ Have unique perspectives and ideas ・ There is continuity of execution ・ Further effects and development are expected with support from J:COM ・ It is related to J:COM’s materiality (important issues) *Materiality is Here Judge *Title omitted Chuo University Professor Emeritus Hiroshi Tanaka Tatsuro Sato, Professor, Tama Art University Yurusato Labo Koichiro Masuda, Saki Tanaka (Odakyu Agency Co., Ltd.) Guest judge Suzu Yamanouchi JCOM Co., Ltd. Sustainability Management Promotion Office and others ■Suzu Yamanouchi Profile Born October 3, 2001 in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. She made her debut in the entertainment industry in 2019 when she appeared on AbemaTV’s love reality show “Shirayuki and Ookami-kun ni ni Naitei (Heart)”. The total number of followers on SNS exceeds 1.1 million people, and she is currently expanding her activities to include TV commercials, terrestrial TV programs, and even video works as an actress.