In Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, there are no universities, so we don't often see university students around.
As a result, there are few events centered around university students, and business contests that are not uncommon in the major metropolitan areas of Kanto and Kansai are quite rare in Kasaoka City.
Not only was a business contest for students held in Kasaoka City, but an event that packaged a training camp to brainstorm ideas for the contest was held from March 16 (Thursday) to March 19 (Sunday), 2023.
This was the first attempt in Kasaoka City.
That event is called Rokkason Camp @ Okayama.
What kind of plans will be woven together?
To witness that, I covered the three-night, four-day Rokkason Camp @ Okayama every day.
I will report on the four days that conveyed the students' seriousness.
The information provided is based on the article published in April 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Rokkason Camp @ Okayama
The organizer of Rokkason Camp @ Okayama is the Student Activity Support Consortium StBASE.
StBASE is a joint venture composed of companies engaged in student support projects.
It provides practical programs aimed at students who want to start businesses or revitalize local areas.
The planning and operation of Rokkason Camp @ Okayama is conducted by KakeruX Co., Ltd. and Ligula Co., Ltd. within the StBASE consortium.
Rokkason is a coined term that combines "local" and "ideathon."
- “I want to try something, but I don't know what to do”
- “I want to change my life, but I have no friends or environment”
- “I can't articulate my vision”
Students and graduate students with such concerns are the target participants.
Rokkason Camp @ Okayama is an event where participants think and nurture their visions and ways of life through dialogue with other students and entrepreneurial mentors.
On the first day in Kasaoka, exploring the city centered around Minato Kobanas
The meeting place for the students participating in Rokkason Camp @ Okayama is Kasaoka Station on the JR West Sanyo Line.
They gathered at 1 PM.
After the opening at the Kasaoka Islands Exchange Center (Kasaoka Port Passenger Ship Terminal "Minato Kobanas"), the schedule included a stroll around Kasaoka Station.
From the shopping street to Itoku-ji Temple
The stroll in front of Kasaoka Station allows participants to feel the essence of Kasaoka while walking through the nearest shopping street.
Many students came from the Kansai area; how did the first-time place "Kasaoka" appear to them?
Due to time constraints, they couldn't venture too far, so they aimed for Itoku-ji Temple.
After visiting Itoku-ji Temple, they returned to Kasaoka Station and took a bus to their accommodation, "Tokura Yashiki."
Recharge at the accommodation, Tokura Yashiki
Half of the students participating in Rokkason Camp @ Okayama stayed at Tokura Yashiki located in Yamaguchi, Kasaoka City.
Tokura Yashiki was reopened in 2022 by the Tokura Yashiki Association as a base for community revitalization operated and utilized by local residents.
It has rental venues and a café, and events are also held at Tokura Yashiki.
Since accommodation is also available, it was prepared as a lodging for participants.
At the end of the first day, they enjoyed delicious food at Tokura Yashiki and charged up for the second day!
On the second day, workshop at Share Atelier Umi no Kosha
On the second day spent in Kasaoka City, they listened to a talk from the Kasaoka City Hall Policy Department Settlement Promotion Center, and then explored the Oshima area of Kasaoka City.
In the evening, they held a workshop in the library of Share Atelier Umi no Kosha.
During the workshop at Share Atelier Umi no Kosha, participants consulted with mentors (plan advisors) about their plans.
At the desk in front of the blackboard, mentor Hayate Takamura, a Community Revitalization Cooperator of Kasaoka City, listens intently to the participants' thoughts on their plans.
Iori Terada, a member of the Community Revitalization Cooperators of Kasaoka City and President of KakeruX Co., Ltd., also provided serious advice.
He pointed out points that needed more refinement in the plans while conveying specific advice.
Shinji Fujimoto, the representative of SIRUHA, who has a workshop at Share Atelier Umi no Kosha, also participated in the workshop as a mentor, stopping his work.
The usually quiet library of Share Atelier Umi no Kosha transformed into a heated space with discussions taking place everywhere.
On the third day, free activities to refine plans
The third day was a day of free activities.
Participants could use this time to brush up their plans or visit various places to gather information to support their plans.
They effectively utilized this valuable day of free activities by listening to Mr. Kim Jin-ho, who runs Moyora Korean Language School, at Café Moyora, and conducting interviews with people working at the supermarket "Marunaka Kasaoka" near Kasaoka Station.
On the final day, plan presentations at Minato Kobanas
On the final day, March 19 (Sunday), the presentation event was held at the multipurpose space of Kasaoka Islands Exchange Center (Minato Kobanas) starting at 10 AM.
Six participants presented their carefully thought-out plans at the venue.
Two presented via video.
In total, eight participants delivered passionate presentations.
MVP benefits and judges
Since the presentation event is also a business contest, MVPs are determined through judging.
Those who successfully earn the MVP will receive the following benefits.
- Special participation rights for the Rokkason practical edition
- Qualification to participate in the final round of the local idea contest
The local idea contest is a hybrid contest connecting three locations: Kasaoka City, Nara City in Nara Prefecture, and Fujinomiya City in Shizuoka Prefecture.
They will gain the right to participate in this final round.
The judges who will determine the MVP are as follows.
- TAILORDESIGN OFFICE representative Sugimoto Kazutoshi
- Kasaoka City Policy Department Head Osuga Toshiki
Additionally, I also participated as a judge from the Haretoco General Incorporated Association.
The presentation time allotted to participants is five minutes.
After that, there is a five-minute Q&A session, making a total of ten minutes for each participant.
Content of the judging
The judging will be scored out of a total of 100 points based on the following four criteria, and the student with the highest score will be awarded MVP.
- Social contribution (30 points)… Does it provide a good impact on the community or society?
- Feasibility (30 points)… Is it an idea that is likely to be realized?
- Profitability and sustainability (20 points)… Are there mechanisms considered to sustain the business once realized?
- Presentation skills (20 points)… Was the presentation skillful and did the passion come through?
Judges received scoring sheets, and the presentation event is about to begin!
The tense presentation starts
As the presentation event starting at 10 AM approaches, participants are making final checks on their presentations.
A sense of tension fills the room...
Some students seemed to have had almost no sleep as they were refining their materials for the presentation.
This was the culmination of three days. They were serious.
At 10 AM, the presentation event began.
The host was Tomoki Imai, CEO of Ligula Co., Ltd., who had been active in Kasaoka as an intern for the Community Revitalization Cooperators from September to November 2022.
Mr. Imai was working behind the scenes as part of the organizing team for Rokkason Camp @ Okayama.
Explaining the concept of Rokkason Camp @ Okayama was Iori Terada, Community Revitalization Cooperator of Kasaoka City and President of KakeruX Co., Ltd.
The event aims to unearth the visions of students who have vague thoughts of wanting to "try" or "are interested" in entrepreneurship, and to think of original local revitalization ideas while learning the basics of business based on those visions.
It was a three-day process to refine their ideas into a realizable level in the rural city of Kasaoka.
Now, what kind of ideas will emerge?
In the first half, six people present at the venue
The presentations at Minato Kobanas have started.
Presentation by Yuki Namio
There were six presentations at the venue.
The first presenter was Yuki Namio from Doshisha University.
While there are opportunities for university students to connect with companies, there are few opportunities for high school students to connect with companies and government. Namio thought that by connecting them, various issues could be resolved.
He presented his idea plan for that purpose.
As the first presenter, Namio seemed a bit nervous, but he answered the judges' questions well.
Presentation by Fuka Yamamoto
The presentation by Fuka Yamamoto from Osaka Metropolitan University was a proposal for a "Treasure Box of Worries."
While having a lifelong goal can be enjoyable, the "Treasure Box of Worries" is a tool for those who cannot find their goals to engage in self-analysis.
This was an idea to analyze one's own sources of worry and find goals by approaching from both analog and digital perspectives.
Presentation by Suzuki Yoshihiro
Suzuki Yoshihiro is a current high school student enrolled at Kyoto Seisho High School.
The youngest participant. Despite being a first-year high school student, he delivered a confident presentation.
Suzuki's presentation was about the "Researcher Information Dissemination Service for Government."
He proposed a service that allows government to actively adopt technologies being researched by researchers.
Believing that it is important to first develop the economy in order to create a Japan where one can feel proud of being born in Japan and inherit Japanese culture, Suzuki focused on technologies that Japanese researchers are currently advancing.
Presentation by Muramoto Saaya
This is the presentation by Muramoto Saaya from Kyoto Pharmaceutical University.
Her presentation was about developing an app that helps students who are not attending school to reflect on themselves and take the first step.
It was a plan that incorporated workplace experiences to gain practical success and receive feedback.
Presentation by Iwaida Tomoya
The plan for the education sector was conceived by Iwaida Tomoya from Osaka Public University.
His presentation was about "Personal Training for Parents in Education."
Iwaida analyzed the current situation of children, the state of education, and the environment surrounding children, believing that education at home is important. He devised a training plan for parents that runs parallel to student guidance.
Presentation by Sumina Hakuto
The presentation by Sumina Hakuto from Doshisha University is a plan for a "Community Revitalization Experience Tour."
Before the community revitalization experience, participants will engage in preliminary learning and work on revitalization while feeling the enthusiasm of the people involved in the community.
Sumina emphasized the importance of considering "What is truly needed for rural areas?" through experiencing multiple activities.
Scoring during the break
The first half has ended, and it's break time.
During this time, the judges will begin scoring the six presentations that have concluded.
The author struggled with the scoring.
It was clear that each student was passionately considering their plans and presenting them.
The second half will be presented online
The second half consists of presentations via pre-recorded videos.
Since these are recorded videos, there was no time for questions and answers, only presentations.
The second half started with a presentation by Yamashita Takuma from Okayama University.
His event plan, themed "Himawari," uses the roadside station Kasaoka Bay Farm in Kasaoka City, the Kasaoka Comprehensive Sports Park, and Kasaoka Fureai Airport to attract tourists.
He was considering how to move tourists gathered at Kasaoka Bay Farm to the city and the Kasaoka Islands.
The presentation by Matsubara Yuki from Kyoto University was titled "LayL: Let's Take a Big Step Together with Parents and Children."
Since March 2023, Matsubara has been living in Kasaoka as an intern for the Community Revitalization Cooperator, thinking daily about solving local issues.
Common experiences between parents and children become a future asset.
He presented a plan to create a platform where parents and children can experience together.
The base of the experience is the latest IT technology.
He proposed creating a theme park-like place where families can experience innovative technologies together.
Announcement of MVP
All eight presentations have concluded, and the results are being announced.
The student with the highest score will be crowned MVP!
The MVP is… Iwaida Tomoya, who presented on "Personal Training for Parents in Education!"
Iwaida shares his thoughts on receiving the award.
"Participating in the Hackathon Camp @ Okayama, while refining my ideas and business vision, there were quite a few parts that I struggled with, but ultimately receiving the MVP has greatly boosted my confidence.
I want to continue to develop this further into something truly meaningful and valuable, rather than just ending here."
While Iwaida's plan presented this time needs a bit more refinement in terms of the approach to parents and the revenue aspect, I felt that its feasibility is very high.
I look forward to seeing how the plan evolves as we head towards the finals of the local idea contest.
Local Idea Contest to be Held in June 2023
After the Hackathon Camp @ Okayama, Terada provided an explanation of the upcoming schedule.
After the practical session of the lockathon, it is planned to hold a "Local Idea Contest" on June 18, 2023 (Sunday), connecting three local cities: Kasaoka City in Okayama Prefecture, Nara City in Nara Prefecture, and Fujinomiya City in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Recruitment started on April 1, 2023 (Saturday).
I look forward to the contest being held in Kasaoka as well.
To the City of Kasaoka, Where Students Aspiring to be Entrepreneurs Gather
Terada, a member of the planning and management team, has been talking to the author about wanting to invite university students to Kasaoka City for some time.
One of the projects that made this a reality is the Hackathon Camp @ Okayama.
Why was the Hackathon Camp @ Okayama held in Kasaoka City?
One answer to this question is provided by Imai from Ligula, who said, "Compared to urban areas, costs are relatively low, making it easier to start small when trying to do something."
Kasaoka City has a population of about 45,000.
Although the scale of the municipality is small, its small size allows for flexibility in various aspects, which is one of Kasaoka's strengths.
If Kasaoka becomes a city where it is easy to challenge new things, students and entrepreneurs with various perspectives and ideas will surely take notice.
I believe the significance of holding the Hackathon Camp @ Okayama in Kasaoka City is substantial.
A foundation to support young entrepreneurs is being cultivated throughout Kasaoka City, and as a result, I want to imagine a near future where many students are active in various fields in Kasaoka, marking the start of the hackathon.
The next event is on June 18, 2023.
Lockathon Camp @ Okayama Information
| Name | Lockathon Camp @ Okayama |
|---|---|
| Date | From March 16, 2023 (Thursday) to March 19, 2023 (Sunday) |
| Location | Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | 20,000 yen per person including accommodation (transportation and meal costs are the responsibility of each participant) |
| Homepage | We will hold Lockathon Camp @ Okayama! |
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