Local school students in Yokohama participated in a hands-on economic education program during the Yokohama Port Opening Festival on June 3, 2026 [1, 2].
The initiative aims to demystify the structure of the economy by allowing children to experience the cycle of working, earning, and spending. By simulating real-world labor, organizers hope to show how financial activity can be leveraged to solve various societal challenges [1, 2].
Participants engaged in a variety of roles tailored to the local economy. Some children acted as live radio reporters, while others worked in agriculture by harvesting and packaging ki-kura mushrooms [1, 2]. The program extended beyond production to the retail side of the economy, where students labeled and sold products to the public [1, 2].
One specific simulation focused on the role of a Yokohama kombu producer. This role highlighted the intersection of commerce and environmental sustainability. A staff member said that kombu is drawing attention as a savior that absorbs carbon dioxide and protects the marine environment [1].
The program was facilitated by staff from a startup offering the “こども職業体験” (Children's Vocational Experience) program [1, 2]. By moving through the stages of production, sales, and consumption, the students were able to visualize how money flows through a community, a concept often difficult to grasp through traditional classroom instruction [1, 2].
The event coincided with the broader celebrations of the Yokohama Port Opening Festival, utilizing the city's maritime and commercial history as a backdrop for the educational exercise [1, 2].
“Students participate in simulated jobs to understand how earning and spending solve societal issues.”
This program represents a shift toward experiential learning in Japan, moving economic education from theoretical textbooks to practical application. By linking labor to environmental protection and community service, the initiative teaches children that economic participation is not only about personal gain but also a mechanism for addressing ecological and social problems.
