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Winners of the 15th Kids Design Awards Program's Grand Award and Excellence Awards Announced

October 1, 2021

On September 29, 2021, a commendation ceremony to honor the winners of the 15th Kids Design Awards (a program that METI supports) was held, and one winner of the Grand Award (Prime Minister's Award) and four winners of the Excellence Awards (METI Minister's Awards) were announced. Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Munekiyo attended the ceremony and gave a celebratory speech for the winners.

1. Overview

"Kids Design" is a group of ideas and activities about using the power of design to create a social environment that will contribute to the sound growth and development of children (who will be the next generation's adults).
The Kids Design Awards (organized by an NPO called the Kids Design Association) is a program aimed at recognizing outstanding products, spaces, services, activities, and academic programs in terms of three design missions: [i] designs that contribute to the safety and security of children; [ii] designs that develop children’s creativity and shape their future; and [iii] designs that contribute to comfortably raising children.

2. Winners of the 15th Kids Design Award

The 15th Kids Design Awards received 409 entries, and 234 of these were selected as winners. From among these, one winner was selected for the Grand Award, called the Prime Minister's Award, and four winners were selected for the Excellence Awards, called the METI Minister's Awards.

Prime Minister's Award (One)

Incorporated Educational Institution Nitobe Bunka Gakuen; VIVITA JAPAN Co., Ltd.; tokotodesign
Title: VIVISTOP NITOBE FURNITURE DESIGN PROJECT

METI Minister's Awards (Four winners)

Designs that contribute to the safety and security of children — Category: Children

ELECOM Co., Ltd.
Title: Children's Headset

Designs that contribute to the safety and security of children — Category: General

Sekisui House, Ltd.
Title: Sekisui House's Next-Generation Indoor Environment System "Smart-ECS"

Designs that develop children’s creativity and shape their future; Category: Creative

HIBINO SEKKEI, Inc. & Youji no Shiro; Social Welfare Corporation Nanbu Hoikuen
Title: IZY Kindergarten and Nursery

Designs that develop children’s creativity and shape their future; Category: Literacy

National Ainu Museum; TANSEISHA Co., Ltd.
Title: Interactive Station ”tempatempa"

Details of other winners

3. Commendation ceremony

A commendation ceremony was held on September 29, 2021, with measures against COVID-19 taken in accordance with government policies, etc. In a video message, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Munekiyo gave a celebratory speech to the winners and spoke about his expectations regarding the further promotion of kids designs.


Celebratory speech at the commendation ceremony (Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Munekiyo)

4. Contact for inquiries

Division in Charge

Design Policy Office, Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group