Supporting a New Regional Challenge-Solving Contest by FSDi

Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; President: Koji Hyakubikida) is pleased to announce its decision to participate and provide secretariat support for the 'Future Society Design Contest 2026,' organized by the General Incorporated Association Future Society Design Organization (hereinafter referred to as FSDi), established in February of this year with the aim of building a sustainable future society through industry-academia-government collaboration.

This contest seeks new perspectives and ideas for theme setting and problem-solving aimed at regional revitalization, focusing on the following two areas. This time, we are looking for novel ideas that break free from existing concepts, targeting students who will lead the next generation.

Two Target Areas and Themes

1. Nagano Prefecture / Shiga Kogen Area: Redefining and Adding High Value to National Parks (Cooperation: Ministry of the Environment, Shiga Kogen Conservation Office; Issano Komichi Biyuno Yado; 2307 Group Co., Ltd. S&T Kanko Kaihatsu; Mt. Yokote & Mt. Shibutsu Ski Resort)

Creating extraordinary events and experiences in the Shiga Kogen area during summer that young people would want to participate in at least once.

2. Fukui Prefecture / Higashi-Mikawa Area: Mechanisms to Attract Young People for Stays and Tours (Cooperation: Sakai City Hall, Industrial Policy Department, Tourism Exchange Division; Higashi-Mikawa Machizukuri Co., Ltd.)

Creating tour and stay plans that directly contribute to boosting the regional economy, with the theme of 'mechanisms that make young people want to stay longer.'

Benefits and Schedule

【Benefits】

The top two entries (individuals or teams) for each theme that pass the document screening will receive the following benefits:

- Free On-site Inspection Program: A 2-day, 1-night visit to the sites (Nagano Prefecture's Shiga Kogen area, Fukui Prefecture's Higashi-Mikawa area). This provides an opportunity to refine ideas through direct dialogue with facility managers. - Final Presentation Opportunity: An opportunity to present at the final proposal presentation meeting held at the Tobu Top Tours Innovation Oasis, along with receiving feedback from judges. - Membership Rights: Participating students will be granted membership rights as 'Student/Supporter Members (free registration)' of FSDi, offering opportunities to participate in ongoing regional creation projects even after the contest concludes.

【Schedule】

- Application Period: Monday, June 8, 2026, to Monday, July 20, 23:59 (Higashi-Mikawa applications start Thursday, June 11)

- Document Screening and Winner Announcement: Scheduled for early August 2026

- On-site Inspection Program:

Shiga Kogen: Thursday, August 20 - Friday, August 21, 2026

Higashi-Mikawa: Tuesday, August 25 - Wednesday, August 26, 2026

- Final Proposal Presentation Meeting: Thursday, September 10, 2026, 14:00 - 17:00 (scheduled)

How to Participate / Event Page

For contest applications and more details, please check the following special event pages (within FLASPO):

- Special Event Pages:

Shiga Kogen: https://flaspo.jp/try/707?utm_source=link&utm_medium=fsdi&utm_campaign=fsdi-shigakogen&utm_term=2606

Higashi-Mikawa: https://flaspo.jp/try/712?utm_source=link&utm_medium=fsdi&utm_campaign=fsdi-tojinbo&utm_term=2606

- Application Requirements:

Students aged 18 or older (university, graduate school, vocational school students, etc., regardless of place of origin or study), individuals or teams of up to 3 members. *Registration as an FSDi Student/Supporter Member (free) is required to apply.

Amidst the changing environment surrounding the tourism industry, mechanisms that connect the real challenges faced by tourism sites with the new perspectives of the next generation are needed to enhance regional sustainability. In this initiative, based on the deep trust relationships built over many years of inbound tour operations with the 'Tobu Top Tours Affiliated Ryokan & Hotel Association (Tabiho Ren)' and the 'Transportation & Tourism Facility Association (Untsu Ren),' our company will participate as a 'connector' to gather the pressing issues faced by tourism sites and link them with the ideas of the next generation of students through FSDi, injecting new vitality into the tourism industry.

Furthermore, this initiative is promoted in collaboration with strong partner companies who are FSDi members. With support from FLASPO Inc. and JSB Corporation (UniLife), leveraging their expertise in areas such as student dormitory management for operational planning and nationwide expansion, we will tackle regional challenges from a broader and more multifaceted perspective than ever before.

Our company, serving as the hub for the FSDi secretariat and various association organizations, will provide consistent support from identifying on-site issues to proposing solutions. Additionally, by disseminating the knowledge and ideas gained from this contest to our nationwide branch network and member organizations, we aim to contribute to the nationwide popularization of 'successful regional collaboration models' that are not limited to specific regions, and to the revitalization of the tourism industry.

Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Secretariat of the General Incorporated Association Future Society Design Organization (Within Tobu Top Tours Co., Ltd., Sales Planning Division, Future Co-creation Lab)

- E-mail: [email protected] · Official HP: https://fsdi.or.jp/

- Inquiry Form: https://form.run/@fsdi-Inquiry-form