The “U-22 Programming Contest,” for which I serve as a judge, has
announced the 40 entries that passed the preliminary screening out of a record-high
460 submissions for the U-22 Programming Contest 2018.

———————-

　Now in its 39th year, the U-22 Programming Contest 2018 received 460 entries,
entries (1,570 total participants).
　Additionally, the National Elementary and Junior High School Programming Contest (JJPC), which is collaborating with U-22 this year,
received a total of 282 entries, bringing the combined total for both contests to 742 entries.

　From the 40 entries selected in this preliminary screening, the list will be narrowed down to approximately 16 entries at the first-round judging session to be held in early October, after which the final judging session on October 21 will determine the winners of various awards, including the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award. In addition to supplementary prizes provided by the organizing committee and sponsoring
companies, as well as the opportunity to be recommended for the IPA’s FY2019 “Uncharted IT Talent Discovery and Development” program, among other opportunities designed to support their journey toward becoming the next generation of programmers.

▼ Please visit the official website for the list of the 40 entries that passed the preliminary screening:
　https://u22procon.com/
　*Results of the first-round judging are scheduled to be announced in mid-October 2018.

■ Announcement Regarding the Final Judging Session and Panel Discussion
　The U-22 Programming Contest 2018 Grand Finale will finally be held on Sunday, October 21, at the TEPIA Hall.
　During the final judging, the creators themselves will give presentations to highlight their works. (Open to the public)
Additionally, on the same day, a panel discussion titled “IT × Education: Q&A Session”—a joint event with the National Elementary and Junior High School Programming Contest (JJPC), which is collaborating with U-22 this year—
as part of a joint initiative with the National Elementary and Junior High School Programming Contest (JJPC), which is partnering with U-22 this year. Four panelists will answer the concerns and questions you may have regarding IT, education, the latest technologies, future careers, and society.

▼ Submit your questions for “IT × Education: Q&A Session” here
　https://goo.gl/forms/M5uWHwdkowbntKCP2
　
　The judging sessions will also be streamed on Niconico Live. Even if you’re far away and can’t make it in person, or if you don’t have time to attend, you can still watch the young programmers in action via the Niconico Live stream.
watch the young programmers in action via the Niconico Live stream. As in previous years, there will also be the viewer-selected
“Best Viewers Award.” Please be sure to stay tuned until the very end.

▼ Niconico Live Stream URL
　http://live.nicovideo.jp/watch/lv315793125

[Awards] Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award / Director-General of the Bureau of Commerce and Information Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Award /
　　　　Sponsor Company Award / CSAJ Chairman’s Award / Best Viewers Award

[Final Judging Schedule (Tentative)]
　October 21, 2018 (Venue: TEPIA Hall)
　https://www.tepia.jp/access
　　11:50–16:40　　Presentations of entries by creators
　　16:50–17:30　　National Elementary and Junior High School Programming Contest Awards Ceremony
　　5:40 PM – 6:20 PM　　U-22 × JJPC Joint Panel Discussion
　　　　　　　　　　“IT × Education: Q&A Session”
　　6:20 PM – 7:00 PM　　U-22 Programming Contest 2018 Results Announcement
　　　　　　　　　　・Awards Ceremony

*On the same day, the U-22 × JJPC joint event, “Young Programmers’ Day,” will be held at the TEPIA Exhibition Hall, featuring exhibits by sponsoring companies, workshops, and an exhibition of JJPC finalists’ works.
Please be sure to attend the U-22 Final Judging Session along with these events.
　Please be sure to visit in conjunction with the U-22 Final Judging Session.

*Reference Links:
　National Elementary and Junior High School Programming Contest (JJPC)　http://jjpc.jp/