In summer 2024, BizWorld Japan brought entrepreneurship education to life with a unique twist. By integrating local cultural experiences into the BizWorld curriculum, they’ve created an enriching and immersive learning environment for elementary and middle school students.

In Kyushu Goto Island and Kyoto, students not only learned business basics but also delved into Japan’s rich heritage. In Goto Island, students gathered shells on the beach, learned about the island’s history, and transformed their discoveries into entrepreneurial ventures. The camp seamlessly combined entrepreneurship with environmental and cultural education, culminating in a community event where students showcased and sold their creations.

In Kyoto, students engaged with local craftsmen, explored the forest, and applied their newfound knowledge to create business ideas. The program emphasized creativity, confidence, and the importance of teamwork, helping students develop leadership skills in a way that resonated with their cultural roots.

Wakana Fukuda, a partner at BizWorld Japan, highlighted how the program encourages students to think independently and become leaders in their own right. “BizWorld allows students to put their own creative spin on entrepreneurship,” Wakana shared. “It’s not just about learning business concepts; it’s about fostering a connection to their community and culture.”

The success of BizWorld Japan’s camps underscores the program’s flexibility, allowing educators worldwide to adapt it to their cultural context. By making the program their own, teachers can inspire students not just to become entrepreneurs, but to become thoughtful, engaged members of their communities.

As BizWorld Japan looks to the future, they aim to expand the program further, inviting international students to learn about Japan’s culture while building their entrepreneurial skills. This innovative approach serves as a model for how entrepreneurship education can be both globally relevant and deeply rooted in local traditions.

By the second day, all the students were fully engaged, working hard, having fun, and learning together. Their financial management skills were impressive, as they progressed from securing seed funding, and selling in the BizWorld Bazaar to valuing their companies.

One young woman was the CEO of her team. She was not timid, but a quiet leader who you could tell had little experience leading large groups. Over the two days, I watched as she coordinated her team with ease, pitched for VC capital, and led with a quiet confidence that was impressive. At the end of day two, I walked up to her and said, “I have been watching you work as the CEO over the past two days. If you continue to believe in yourself, use your superpowers, and find opportunities to lead, you will be a great CEO someday.”

With tears in her eyes, she asked if I could take a selfie video with her and say that again. I said, “Of course…but why?”

Her response nearly brought tears to my eyes. She said, “Because my mom will never believe that someone said this about me.”

Needless to say, this was an unforgettable experience for the staff and students alike. The life-changing potential of entrepreneurship knows no boundaries.

As we saw in Jamaica, when young minds are nurtured with the right tools and encouragement, they can create something truly magical.