A COMMUNITY FOR TEENAGERS

U18CAMPUS

A third place beyond school and home, where you can turn what you love into something of your own.

About U18CAMPUS

School life feels a little unfulfilling. You want friends who will listen to your interests and dreams without dismissing them. U18CAMPUS is a community for teenagers who feel this way.

It is not a competition or a way to build a university admissions record. It is a place to explore even your smallest interests, meet peers and adults who welcome them, and build lasting connections and confidence.

Program overview

Who it is for: Grade 9–11 students in the Kanto region
Capacity: Approximately 30 participants
Duration: 3 months · 11 sessions planned
Participation fee: Free (¥0)
Format: Online via Zoom + 3 in-person events
Online sessions: Wednesdays, 20:30–22:00 JST, with rotating groups
In-person venues: Days 1 & 2: TIB / Day 3: To be confirmed
Organizer: General Incorporated Association Returnees Hotline (Representative: Soh Kawabata)
Program lead: Kan Sato

This is the planned program. Dates, the recruitment schedule, and the final venue will be announced once confirmed.

A place to talk freely about what you love.

For students moving between school and home, entrepreneurship events and business competitions can feel out of reach. Some face ridicule or rejection when they talk about their dreams, and begin to give up on what they want to do. We want to offer another place to belong.

The program grew from an experience at the high school community U18-LAB., where exploring interests such as travel and regional revitalization opened up new possibilities. We aim to create an environment where students can be themselves and discover what they want to try, without pressure to produce results.

Three months, at your own pace

Start with what interests you

Launching a business or producing measurable results is not the goal. Every interest is welcome in this third place where you can be yourself.

Connect alongside school life

Around 30 participants form three groups of ten, meeting on Wednesday evenings in rotation. Your group meets once every three weeks, and you can also attend every week.

Learn ways to express your ideas

Monthly sessions introduce practical skills such as using AI, building websites and apps, and presenting ideas—tools to give shape to your interests.

Build your own connections

Suggestions from the team are starting points. Participants are encouraged to organize their own get-togethers and one-to-one conversations.

The three-month program

Month 1
Meet others and explore your interests
Kickoff at TIB, online group conversations, and lecture 1: using AI and creating apps.
Month 2
Try things and share with others
Midpoint gathering at TIB, online group conversations, and lecture 2: presentation and pitch basics.
Month 3
Share what you have been exploring
Continue online conversations, then come together for an in-person finale to share your interests and what you have worked on.

Session schedules (planned)

Day 1 | Kickoff

Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB)

Day 1 | Kickoff
Time (JST)	Activity
13:00–13:30	Arrival and icebreakers with card games
13:30–14:00	Welcome, the story behind the program, and introduction
14:00–14:30	Reflect on why you joined and set three-month goals
14:30–15:30	Explore your interests with sticky notes and conversation
15:30–16:00	Closing and next steps

Day 2 | Midpoint gathering

Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB)

Day 2 | Midpoint gathering
Time (JST)	Activity
13:00–13:30	Opening and catch-up
13:30–14:30	Share what you are making or exploring
14:30–15:30	Group conversations and positive feedback
15:30–16:00	Closing and next steps

Day 3 | Finale and showcase

Venue to be confirmed

Day 3 | Finale and showcase
Time (JST)	Activity
10:00–11:30	Arrival and preparation of projects and slides
11:30–14:00	Three-month showcase
14:00–15:30	Voting results and awards to celebrate everyone’s efforts
15:30–16:00	Completion ceremony, photos, and celebration

Online | Group conversations

Zoom · Wednesday evenings · Three rotating groups

Online | Group conversations
Time (JST)	Activity
20:30–20:40	Opening and catch-up
20:40–21:20	Talk about your interests and dreams
21:20–21:35	Share small steps and encourage each other
21:35–21:45	Check-out, next session, and individual consultation information

Online | Whole-group lecture

Zoom · Monthly · All participants

Online | Whole-group lecture
Time (JST)	Activity
20:30–20:40	Whole-group opening
20:40–21:00	Practical skills lecture
21:00–21:35	Hands-on practice and questions
21:35–21:45	Wrap-up and next steps

Online sessions are planned within a 20:30–22:00 JST window. The draft agenda above runs to 21:45; details, including the end time, will be announced once confirmed.

Ask us about U18CAMPUS

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