FedEx Cultivates Young Entrepreneurs at the 2025 FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge
For 17 years, FedEx has partnered with JA Japan to nurture the future leaders of Japan's business community. The ITC program involves students in team-based activities and specialized workshops, focusing on global trade, and facilitated by FedEx and JA Japan. This initiative aims to provide young entrepreneurs with essential skills for their future success.
This year, the students were challenged to develop a market entry strategy targeting China for a sustainable product that reduces fast fashion waste from returns. Their ideas showcased critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of sustainable business solutions relevant to today's global landscape.
The six students who will represent Japan at the regionals are:Names of students: Miki Kamochi, Haruki KawamataSchool location: Tokyo, JapanProduct: DimensionViewProduct presented: A compact stick device that connects to monitors to display clothing images in actual, real-world sizes on screens. This allows online shoppers to view garments in true scale, minimizing sizing errors and contributing to lower return rates.
Names of students: Tomoharu Hayakawa, Yui MotoishiSchool location: Tokyo, JapanProduct: SnapFitProduct presented: An app-enabled solution that captures body measurements and applies them to a personalized avatar, allowing users to try on clothing virtually. This tool is designed to reduce return rates caused by inaccurate sizing or mismatched style preferences.
Names of students: Sumire Yamamoto, Riyo ShimizuSchool location: Tokyo, JapanProduct: StitchSnapProduct presented: A service that prints photos onto fabric using images submitted by users. Inspired by the fan culture boom in China, users can create customized items like t-shirts and bags with their favorite photos. By utilizing fabric from discarded clothing, this solution also helps reduce textile waste resulting from product returns.
At the regional finals in Singapore, the winners from Japan will be paired with students from other markets and compete against finalists from Hong Kong, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. This offers a unique opportunity for Japanese students to collaborate, exchange ideas, and engage in constructive discussions with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds.
'We are truly impressed by the creativity and dedication displayed by all of the ITC student participants this year. Their critical thinking skills and ability to develop innovative solutions highlight their potential as future business leaders for Japan and the global community,' said Ken McMahon, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific Customer Solutions & Special Services, FedEx. 'The FedEx/JA ITC program is an important step in helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of the global marketplace and an increasingly uncertain future.'
Since its introduction to Japan in 2008, FedEx/JA ITC has continued to strengthen its commitment to helping students better understand the nuances of international trade. So far, the program has attracted over 2,400 high school students.
More information about the 2025 FedEx/JA ITC can be found on the JA Japan website https://www.ja-japan.org/contests/ITC.html.
Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.
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