Furusato Innovation Program to support high schoolers solving regional issues

The Regional and Education Revitalization Platform and BYD have announced the second phase of the ‘Furusato Innovation Program,’ scheduled to run from November 2026 to March 2027. The initiative targets high school students across Japan, inviting them to form teams of four to six members to address local community challenges.

Selected teams, approximately 20 in total, will receive up to 150,000 yen in activity support funds and will be mentored by professional advisors. The program emphasizes practical implementation, allowing students to choose between event-based, ICT-based, or product development outcomes. Applications are open until October 10, 2026.

This second phase also seeks collaboration from corporations and organizations through sponsorship, sharing local challenges, or providing advisory support. The program aims to foster regional leadership by connecting the expertise of businesses with the fresh perspectives of the younger generation.