Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Sponsored 'Mokiku Fes 2026' to be Held at Approximately 170 Locations Nationwide from July 18th

AQ Group Inc. (Headquarters: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture, President and CEO: Hiroaki Kato) will hold 'Mokiku Fes 2026' (sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Saitama Prefecture, Saitama City, etc.) from July 18th (Sat) to August 31st (Mon). Participation is possible at approximately 170 locations nationwide, including AQ Group headquarters, Akura Home showrooms, and Forest Builders member companies (Akura Home FC, AQ Builder, Medium-to-Large Scale Wooden Construction Co-Creation Network). On the opening day of July 18th (Sat), a nationwide opening event will be held to develop children's thinking and imagination through various programs.

Passing on 'Mokiku' to the Next Generation

'Holding the 'Mokiku Fes' to Convey the Charm and Joy of Woodworking'

As a wooden construction company, we have been promoting the use of wood in various fields, from housing to medium-to-large scale construction, for half a century. In March 2024, we completed an 8-story pure wooden headquarters building (Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture). As a pioneer in the future of wooden construction, we are disseminating the value and possibilities of wood to society. Building on these efforts, we have also focused on 'Mokiku' as an initiative to connect with the next generation. Starting on July 18th (Sat), 'Mokiku Fes' is an SDGs event held every summer vacation since 2023, aiming to convey the charm of wood and the joy of making things to children and make wood feel closer to them.

This year's theme is 'Experience with Five Senses, Create the Future'. In an era where AI and digitalization are advancing, we provide an opportunity to rediscover the charm of wood and the value of forest resources by experiencing real wood with the five senses of 'seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting', and to think about a sustainable society.

On the opening day, an opening event will be held with the headquarters building as the main venue and 14 satellite venues nationwide connected online. In the 'Mokiku Class' by Professor Shigeyasu Asada of Saitama University Faculty of Education, we learn about the characteristics and roles of wood from [vision] and [hearing]. In the 'Carpenter Work Experience' using real carpentry tools, we touch wood and understand it from [touch] and [smell] through the sensation and aroma of planing. Furthermore, in a special collaboration project with the cooking couple 'Gutchi', we have developed original cookies incorporating wood-derived materials such as cinnamon, providing a new 'Mokiku' experience from [taste].

The representative program of Mokiku Fes, 'Scrap Material Art', is a permanent event during the festival period and can be participated in at approximately 170 locations nationwide. By freely combining scrap materials from housing and apartment construction, we shape each person's inspiration. By carefully observing and creating the color, shape, grain, and texture of wood, we deepen our understanding of wood as a material and cultivate expressiveness.

The 'Scrap Material Art Contest', which received a big response last year, has evolved

A contest that enjoys 'imagination' and 'inspiration'

Last year, 1,005 works were submitted from all over the country, receiving a big response to the 'Scrap Material Art Contest'. This year, we have evolved into a contest that places 'imagination' and 'inspiration' as the main roles, cherishing free ideas such as 'What does this piece of wood look like?' and 'What will happen if we combine these shapes?'. Furthermore, to allow children who have participated so far to continue participating with their families even after they grow up, we have newly established an 'Adult Division (Junior High School and above)'. We aim for a contest that can be enjoyed across generations from preschoolers to adults.

Submitted works will be judged by our company employees and experts involved in Mokiku and wooden construction. We have set up numerous unique awards to praise each individual's personality and ideas, and the results will be announced in October, with the judging scheduled for September.

Award-winning works from last year's 'Scrap Material Art Contest'

<Preschool Division>

'Peaceful Nest I Also Want to Live In' (Minato Sato)

<Elementary School 1-3 Grades Division>

'Pinocchio After the Story Ends' (Saya Yokotani)

<Elementary School 4-6 Grades Division>

'The Thinker' (Yuka Asashita)

In 2024, AQ Group formed 'Forest Builders', aiming to be the largest wooden construction group in Japan. Currently, more than 50 companies, including regional construction firms and local general contractors, are members. In promoting wooden construction, it is essential to widely convey the importance of wood and forest circulation and to cultivate understanding and familiarity with wood. Based on this idea, we are promoting Mokiku activities nationwide in collaboration with member companies and expanding cooperation with administrative agencies, educational institutions, and local communities. In the future, in addition to the development of wooden construction technology and knowledge, we will contribute to the realization of a sustainable society through activities that connect wood to the future.

Overview of 'Mokiku Fes 2026 ~ Experience with Five Senses, Create the Future ~'

Period: July 18th (Sat) to August 31st (Mon)

Venue: AQ Group headquarters, Akura Home showrooms, Forest Builders member companies, etc., nationwide 170 locations

Nationwide event date: July 18th (Sat) 10:30-12:00

Nationwide event venue: AQ Group headquarters, 14 satellite venues

Participation fee: Free

Organizer: AQ Group Inc.

Sponsors: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Saitama Prefecture, Saitama City, etc.

Mokiku Fes 2026 Official HP

*Note: During the nationwide event, the content of the main venue will be broadcast online to each venue. Programs after 12:00 will vary by venue.

*Note: Forest Builders

A network aiming to be the largest wooden construction group in Japan, led by AQ Group. It consists of 'Akura Home FC', which builds detached wooden houses using our original technology 'AQ Dynamic Construction Method', and 'AQ Builder', a voluntary chain, and 'Medium-to-Large Scale Wooden Construction Co-Creation Network (commonly known as Tomotsuku Network)', which handles medium-to-large scale wooden construction using 'AQ Wood-Only Construction Method'. Established in 2024.