Hands On Tokyo Youth Impact Project

This summer marked an exciting season of growth and transition for the Youth Impact team. While we said heartfelt goodbyes to our senior members who graduated and moved on to universities in Japan and abroad, we also welcomed 18 new members who bring fresh energy, passion, and ideas. With new leaders stepping up, the team is ready to continue creating meaningful impact in their communities.

A highlight of the summer was the Hands On Tokyo Youth Summit, an annual idea contest that empowers high school students, university students, and young professionals to develop solutions to pressing social issues. Over the course of three months, each team was paired with a mentor in their chosen field, gaining valuable insights into real-world challenges while learning how to design structured, impactful projects. Participants first presented in a preliminary round, and those selected as finalists received seed funding of 200,000 yen to bring their visions to life.

This year, 26 teams took part in the Summit—including four led by Youth Impact members. Their project themes showcased both creativity and social awareness: advancing inclusive education for people with disabilities, reducing plastic waste through recycling initiatives, combating xenophobia, addressing water pollution and sanitation, and supporting dementia prevention for the elderly.

We are proud to share that seven teams advanced to the finals, with two of them representing Youth Impact. These students have been working tirelessly with their mentors, refining their presentations and preparing for the final showcase. On September 21st, they will stand before 120 guests to present their ideas and demonstrate how youth-led innovation can shape a better future.

Throughout their journey, participants also immersed themselves in hands-on learning. They visited elderly homes, conducted water evaporation experiments, and joined activities for children with disabilities to deepen their understanding of the issues they were addressing. One of the most memorable events brought all teams together to make crafts and write messages on furin (traditional wind chimes) alongside children with disabilities. These were later gifted to elderly residents in local care facilities. The smiles of both the children and the elders left a deep impression on the participants, who shared how touched and motivated they felt by this simple yet powerful act of connection.

As we look to the semester ahead, the Youth Impact team is filled with momentum. With new members, new leadership, and a renewed spirit of collaboration, we are confident that their creativity and determination will translate into projects that not only inspire their peers but also create tangible change in society.

Links:

• Youth Summit Final