Companions Bearing the Future Together. Gather in Imabari! Announcement of 'Bari Challenge University 2026' Implementation and Call for Participants

Imabari Yume Sports Inc. / FC Imabari is pleased to announce that it will host the 'Bari Challenge University 2026 (BCU 2026)', a 5-day, 4-night workshop for next-generation leaders in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, starting July 22, 2026.

Bari Challenge University is a practical workshop aimed at nurturing the younger generation and creating opportunities for new challenges, with Takeshi Okada, our Representative Director and Chairman, and former manager of the Japan national football team, serving as the university president.

Since its inception in 2016, approximately 390 people who gathered in Imabari from all over the country have participated in this program, each taking a step forward as a leader who will bear the future society. This program provides an experience where each participant thoroughly faces themselves and proactively takes on challenges, thereby expanding their own potential.

For details and application guidelines, please check the following website. https://www.barichallenge-u.org/

Recruitment Overview

Theme In Pursuit of Richness of Mind ~A Connected Society Created by Us~

Schedule Pre-online program: Late June to mid-July 2026 (planned) On-site program: Wednesday, July 22 to Sunday, July 26, 2026

Venue Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture (ASICS Satoyama Stadium, etc.)

Format In-person (Pre-training will be conducted online)

Target Participants Ages 18-30

Capacity Approximately 30 people

Conditions for Participation - Must be able to attend all days of the BCU held in Imabari City. - Must sympathize with the corporate philosophy of 'contributing to the creation of a society that values richness of mind over material wealth for the next generation,' and be willing to plan and challenge together. - Must feel 'excited' about the content of the theme.

Participation Fee Free (Transportation expenses to Imabari City must be covered by the participant)

Application Period Monday, April 20 to Sunday, May 31, 2026

How to Apply Please apply through the Bari Challenge University website.

Organizer Imabari Yume Sports Inc. (FC Imabari)

Sponsors Venture Support Tax Corporation, Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., Kaonavi, Inc.

Message from Takeshi Okada, President of Bari Challenge University

As the term VUCA suggests, an unpredictable era is coming. It's an era where past experiences are useless and there are no role models.

To survive in such an era, since no one knows the answers, it is important to have the proactiveness to think and act for oneself, mental and physical toughness, adaptability, and above all, to help each other as a group.

Homo sapiens had smaller brains and bodies than Neanderthals. But they survived because they lived in groups.

While each individual maintains proactiveness and a sense of ownership, they must help each other as a collective. Amidst various flying information, only that community can share emotions and trust each other.

It used to be said that the size of a group capable of sharing emotions was about 200 people. Could we create a much larger community of mutual aid using the power of AI and ICT?

Realizing that should become a hope for the future of humanity.

I look forward to your participation.

Past Bari Challenge University (BCU) Scenes Bari Challenge University 2025 Highlight Video (approx. 19 min) https://youtu.be/CvCDxiOcN38 Bari Challenge University 2024 Highlight Video (approx. 17 min) https://youtu.be/NpagwrMM7ts

What is Bari Challenge University (BCU)? Bari Challenge University is a program led by Takeshi Okada, former manager of the Japan national football team, acting as president. It was launched in 2016 as one of the educational initiatives to realize the corporate philosophy of FC Imabari, which operates BCU: "To contribute to the creation of a society that values richness of mind over material wealth for the next generation." To date, it has produced over 340 young leaders. Its vision is for young challengers bearing the next generation from all over the country to gather in Imabari, and through new "encounters" with leaders who have carved out the era and stimulating "original experiences," they will become the bearers of an emotionally rich future.

Past Activities