Uncategorized The 8th National Elementary and Junior High School Programming Contest / National High School Programming Contest Final Judging Session JJPC (National Elementary and Junior High School Programming Contest / National High School Programming Contest) Final Judging Round.
The event lived up to the opening remarks of Masahiko Inami, Professor at the University of Tokyo and Chair of the Executive Committee, who said, “Even as AI becomes more widespread, the spirit of taking on challenges to experience personal growth, creating what you want with your own hands, and everyone cheering on the results—that will never disappear.”
It was a gathering where participants clearly articulated the strong motivations behind their works, shared the trial and error they went through to bring them to life, and engaged in discussions—including with the judges and organizing committee members—about their works, all while offering each other praise.
The judges asked the creators about the incredibly advanced strategies revealed in the games, and discussions took place to deepen understanding of four-dimensional concepts that are difficult for many people to grasp. I think this unique final judging process is one of the defining features of the JJPC.
These are the words of Ryo Shimizu, who serves on the executive committee with me.
"I've been involved with this competition for 10 years now, counting from the planning stage, and this time, the quality of the entries has improved to a truly astonishing degree. I think this is likely due to the introduction of programming education in compulsory schooling and the rapid pace of AI advancements, but honestly, I was completely blown away when I saw the entries that were submitted."
Congratulations to all the award winners!
Thank you to everyone who participated!
To all the members of the judging panel: Thank you for your hard work and for everything you’ve done.
To all the members of the executive committee and the secretariat: Thank you for all your hard work!
<Review Results>
Grand Prize: “Yojikuru” by Reo Ueda
; Excellence Award—Elementary School Division: “Future Energy Created with Elements and AI” by Aoba Furuyama; Excellence
Award—Middle School Division:“The Egyptian Ice Cream Shop” by Haruki Taguchi—
Excellence Award; High School and Technical College Division: “Yojikuru” by Reo
Ueda; Judges’ Special Award: “THE Dirty Characters” ~Why Not Dirty Up Your Characters?~ by Natsumi Yokota
Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
Director, B Lab
Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
Chairperson, CANVAS
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”
