Japan selects 24 university projects for Fukushima revitalization and launches new high‑school reform funding

The Fukushima Innovation Coast Promotion Organization announced the results of its “regional co‑creation human resource development” programme. Out of 33 applications, 24 projects were selected for a five‑year period (2026‑2030) with a total subsidy of 400 million yen. The projects involve universities and technical colleges across Japan and aim to harness “reconstruction knowledge” to support the revitalisation of fifteen municipalities in the coastal Hamadori region, including Iwaki, Soma and Minamisoma.

Separately, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) opened an additional public call for the 2025‑2026 “Industrial Innovation Human‑Resource Development” high‑school education reform promotion project. The new round, announced on 23 July 2026, targets public high schools, upper secondary schools and special‑needs high‑school divisions. Applications close on 10 August and 11 September 2026, with a funding ceiling of about 62 billion yen. The scheme seeks to establish “reform‑leading bases” that will contribute to the nation’s 2040 high‑school vision, building on earlier selections of 38 municipalities and 75 schools.