Interview with Representative Miyoshi
The second Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project is a high school student idea contest using “Konohitokan,” the world’s warmest canned food.
We asked representative Chihiro Miyoshi about her thoughts on the contest.
What inspired the Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project
What led you to decide to hold the Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project?
Miyoshi (surname only)
When I visited a high school as a guest instructor for an SDGs outreach class about “Konohitokan,” I learned that the students
“wanted to help spread the word about Konohitokan”
“wanted to do something, however small, if there was anything they could do”
and I began thinking about whether there was something I could do to help. That was what inspired me.
I thought I could have high school students come up with ideas using “Konohitokan,” then go out into society, take action, and bring their ideas to life.
Preparing to hold the Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project
After hearing what the high school students wanted, what did you do first?
Miyoshi
First, I made an appointment with the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education and shared my thoughts.
The person who met with me was Mr. Takayuki Muro, Director of the High School Appeal Promotion Office, High School Education Division, Okayama Prefectural Board of Education.
Mr. Muro sympathized with my feelings and ideas and agreed to offer his full cooperation.
Mr. Muro told me that while there are many presentation contests where participants present their ideas, the Konohitokan Project Contest is one where the real work begins after the presentations.
He said, “It’s a wonderful contest.”
Passion for holding the Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project
What was the most challenging part from planning the Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project up to now?
Miyoshi
We decided to hold it in July 2023, but to hold it in July, the application deadline for high school students had to be at the end of April because of the preparations involved.
April is the season for entering and advancing to new schools, so inquiry-based learning activities had not yet gotten underway, and teachers were busy. It was a time when they hardly had a chance to look at the Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project flyer.
In fact, only one team had applied by the week before the end-of-April deadline.
How did you increase the number of teams applying after that?
Miyoshi
We extended the application deadline by another week, to May 10, 2023, and called every high school in Okayama Prefecture every day.
Schoolteachers are busy, so there was only a brief window when we could reach them.
We somehow managed to get through on the phone, spoke with teachers in charge of inquiry-based learning and vice principals, and shared our vision for the Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project.
I remember how difficult it was to make those calls day after day.
Even so, I held onto my conviction that I wanted to create a place where high school students could solve social problems and provide a place where high school students could be in the spotlight, and kept making calls.
As a result, 55 teams from 11 schools applied.
I was so happy at that moment, I could have cried.
Encounters with high school students
Your message reached the students. Please tell us what moved you about holding this contest.
Miyoshi
When I was calling high schools to encourage them to enter, one teacher asked me to speak directly to the students and share my thoughts.
It was the evening program at Kurashiki Municipal Tamashima High School, so I went to an evening class and spoke to the students.
After hearing me speak, one student said, “I want to enter the contest.”
That student then got classmates involved, and they entered the contest together.
On the day of the contest, that student came up to me and said, “I might be able to change something about myself.”
It was a moment when I strongly felt that people can change because of someone else’s words.
Thoughts for high school students
Is there a message you would like to share with high school students?
Miyoshi
It came through so clearly in their presentations how diligently the high school students had researched “Konohitokan.”
They had taken to heart the spirit of “Konohitokan,” thought about what they could do, and expressed it in their own words.
Using “Konohitokan” canned food is only a means to an end. I want to tell them that each and every one of them is the protagonist of their own story.
I hope they will believe in their own potential, find a place where they can make the most of it, and keep taking on challenges.
Preparing for the third Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project
Please tell us how you feel about the third Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project, scheduled for 2024.
Miyoshi
We are planning to hold the third one around October 2024, and I want to make it even bigger and better.
We have lots of ideas, though we are still considering them, such as recruiting an organizing committee and holding leadership training.
I think it is important to keep going and share our passion, so I want to work hard to make everyone a big fan of “Konohitokan.”
From the Writer
No matter what difficult situation she encounters, Miyoshi keeps moving forward, looking only ahead.
Of course, behind that smile, there must have been days of struggle and hardship.
Even so, there are high school students whom Miyoshi has encouraged and helped.
And many volunteers are eager to support Miyoshi’s work.
By holding the “Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project,” she may be teaching us not only about poverty and food waste, but also about the importance of human connection.
The “Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project” is a social-issue-solving idea contest for high school students, but we adults also gained courage and inspiration.
The next “Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project” is scheduled to be held in October 2024.
I’m already looking forward to seeing what ideas emerge and what stories unfold.
- Photography: Hiroto Goto
second Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project Information
| Name | Second Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project |
|---|---|
| Date | July 22, 2023 (Saturday), 1:00–5:00 p.m. |
| Location | 2-2-1 Hokancho, Kita Ward, Okayama City Okayama International Center |
| Admission | Free |
| Website | Konohitokan General Incorporated Association |
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