The Minister for Digital Transformation Encouragement Award was presented at the 2nd U18 AI Championship

On August 7, the Minister for Digital Transformation Encouragement Award was presented at the “2nd U18 AI Championship” (organized by the AI Usage for Education Organization (AIUEO), held at the First Members' Office Building of the House of Representatives.

The Minister for Digital Transformation Encouragement Award was established in March 2026 to support initiatives by the private sector and other entities that foster talents for the realization of a digital society, while encouraging students, the leaders of the next-generation digital society, to take on problem-solving challenges and achieve future success.

This event marked the inaugural presentation of the award.

1. Event Overview

This competition is open to high school students and other youth aged 18 and under, who present ideas on leveraging AI to solve social issues and create new values. A total of 237 entries were received nationwide.
Six teams that won the East and West regional preliminary rounds competed in the finals, each presenting the results of their AI-driven research and inquiry projects.

（Minister for Digital Transformation Matsumoto with high school students from all six participating teams at the awards ceremony.）

Group photo from the awards ceremony shows about 20 participants in three rows. In the front, four girls in school uniforms and a boy student sit on the floor, holding certificates. The middle row features students standing with Minister Matsumoto in the center, and next to him, the championship winner smiles and lifts the trophy. Everyone looks very happy.

2. Awardee of the Minister for Digital Transformation Encouragement Award

Following a thorough judging process, Mr. Haruto Hoshi, a third-year student at Kosei Gakuen Senior High School, was awarded the Minister of Digital Transformation Encouragement Award for his presentation on developing "SkinA+," an AI skin analysis service designed for high school boys with skin concerns.
At the awards ceremony, Minister Matsumoto presented Mr. Hoshi with a certificate of commendation and offered words of congratulations and encouragement to all students who participated in the national competition.

（Minister Matsumoto presents the Minister for Digital Transformation Encouragement Award to Mr. Hoshi.）

At the ceremony, Minister Matsumoto and Mr. Hoshi are photographed smiling at the camera while holding the award certificate. Mr. Hoshi, positioned on the left, wears a white short-sleeved shirt and a green-strapped identification card. Minister Matsumoto, on the right, is dressed in a dark suit with glasses, a Diet member's badge, and a red corsage.

Going forward, the Digital Agency will continue to use the Minister for Digital Transformation Encouragement Award to support organizations working to develop talent for the digital society, while encouraging the next generation of students to take on challenges, solve problems, and thrive through digital technology.

3. Related Information