Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry announces Courageous Management Award winners

The Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry has announced the winners of the 22nd Courageous Management Award, an initiative that recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and groups that challenge conventional wisdom and overcome high barriers to pursue ambitious ideals.

In the General Category, Iwata Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and wholesaler of funeral treatment supplies, received the Grand Prize for expanding its business from cotton products into the funeral treatment field and addressing industry challenges through new product development. Other notable winners in this category include Naito Process Co., Ltd. and Mori Kiyose Kako Co., Ltd., which received Excellence Awards.

In the newly expanded Startup Category, NIJIN Co., Ltd. was awarded the Grand Prize. The company was recognized for its innovative educational model, the NIJIN Academy, which integrates metaverse technology with physical campuses to provide a hybrid learning environment. This model aims to address school refusal by offering flexible educational options that transcend time and location.