TOKYO, July 20, 2016 – FedEx Express (FedEx) and JA Worldwide® (Junior Achievement™), an organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in the global economy, hosted the qualifying round for the Japan teams of the FedEx Express/Junior Achievement International Trade Challenge (FedEx/JA ITC) 2016 on July 18.
This year’s challenge was to develop a business idea selling products, services and technology uniquely developed in Japan targeting the Australia market. The contest challenged students to come up with ideas for customizing Japanese products and services for the Australia market and promoting and selling those products and services. Thirty-seven teams (two people per team) from across the nation submitted applications, and seven teams were invited to present in front of a panel of judges at the local competition. In addition to explaining their product or service, students proposed detailed plans for creating win-win relationships between employers and markets. The three teams selected to represent Japan at the FedEx/JA ITC regional finals in Hong Kong August 7 – 11 are as follows:
First prize winner: Hinako Ando and Uina Otake (Keio Shonan Fujisawa Senior High School), runner up: Mitsuko Hirano and Jasmine Yu Tsuzura (Keimei Gakuen Senior High School), second runner up: Yukana Inoue and Hinako Tanabe (Hiroo Gakuen Senior High School).
“The student teams demonstrated impressive cross-cultural communications skills and outstanding entrepreneurial spirit,” said Ken McMahon, managing director, Worldwide Account Management, FedEx Express, who served as a judge at the local competition. “At FedEx, we are dedicated to developing future leaders of the business world and are very proud to sponsor this unique international program together with Junior Achievement.”
Held annually since 2007, this year is the 10th anniversary of the FedEx/JA ITC program which aims to help young people understand how entrepreneurship can improve the quality of their lives and the communities where they live. This year, eight countries and regions, namely Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, will participate in the tenth annual FedEx/JA ITC Regional Finals in August.
