Announcing the results of the "#CompanyIWantToSupport" submission contest held by Money for Good and note!
Held for about a month starting July 14, 2023, this was a #CompanyIWantToSupport submission contest where participants shared companies or organizations they support and empathize with, along with their reasons. During the period (7/14-8/13), we received 993 entries! Thank you for submitting such wonderful works that make us conscious of the connections between people and society.
Please see here for the list of entries on note.
The judging was conducted by judges Yurie Kibi and Tomomi Yano (Heralbony Co., Ltd.), along with the Money for Good note representative.
In addition, Renji Hirase, CEO of Sustainable Lab, Inc.; Sairei Ariyu, Director of the Decarbonization DX Research Institute at Members Co., Ltd.; Yuka Kihara of the IDEAS FOR GOOD editorial department at Harch, Inc.; and Takahiro Amano, Editor-in-Chief of HEDGE GUIDE, selected the corporate endorsement awards.
The winning entries are as follows.
Grand Prix
An ally for working moms: "Mothernet" for when you're in trouble with a child's fever #CompanyIWantToSupport
Mi Camino, a patent translator and mother of three. Her piece, which describes how she was able to continue working without interrupting her career thanks to the help of not only her husband but also Mothernet Co., Ltd., was brilliantly chosen as the Grand Prix winner.
The judges commented: "I have had similar concerns myself. It was a good article written from the perspective of both the child and the parent, about a company that steps into areas where others don't want to take risks (Yurie Kibi)," "It was an article that conveyed the sincere efforts of the company and the feelings of the author who is directly involved. Using it from the perspective of investment also aligned with this project (Tomomi Yano)," and "I liked the part in the article that said, 'You can just think of it as an investment in the future.' I hope this serves as an opportunity to think about the fact that there are various types of investments, not just financial ones (Money for Good note representative)." The persuasive content based on personal experience and the positive, uplifting feeling after reading it were also key points.
This is a piece I could only have written because of the theme 'Company I Want to Support.' I am filled with gratitude for everyone who was involved in the planning and judging of this contest. Thank you very much.
Parenting worries are endless in any era. Don't carry them alone; let others help you! You'll enjoy parenting more that way. It's a waste if you don't enjoy it. The shelf life of child-rearing is much shorter than you think.
Judge's Special Award (Yurie Kibi Award)
Age-related hearing loss x Dementia and hearing
Cat007 introduced 'comuoon®,' a speaker-type dialogue support device specialized for sound quality, for their father who was struggling with age-related hearing loss. Because of this, their father's personality returned to normal, and they were able to convey their gratitude to him on his final day. This piece, which also touches on the relationship between age-related hearing loss and dementia, was praised for the 'strong feelings conveyed through the work.'
For me, as someone who supports co-creation and innovation, the idea that it is worth verifying facts with skepticism, especially regarding things people take for granted, is something I deeply empathize with. I felt that the initiative itself was created by defining new issues, gathering empathy, and involving people, so I am presenting my award. I believe that 'investment in value that is not yet widely known' exists within the flow of money that improves society, which is the theme.
Judge's Special Award (Heralbony Award)
Staying over, an experience to know Japan better.
Mari Hekigyo, whose hobby is staying at wonderful inns and hotels. She says that one of the most impressive was 'Maruto Shoyu,' the oldest soy sauce brewery in Nara Prefecture, which is one of the 'NIPPONIA' lodging facilities that operates inns across the country. It is a piece written with impressive photos about how Mari's values changed due to the grand story of the soy sauce and the experience of staying in a space without a TV or clock.
I empathized with the sentiment, 'I wanted to be a person who can reach out to the real thing, which is filled with the creator's thoughts, not just cheap things.' I truly agree.
Now that natural disasters such as extreme heat and heavy rain are occurring in various places, I cannot help but feel that leaving things that cannot be easily bought with money, such as culture and nature, for the future is 'Money for Good.'
It was conveyed that they provide value that exceeds the price.
Money for Good Award
The company I want to support: Nintendo
From the Famicom, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, to creating world-famous characters like Mario, Nintendo has expanded the culture of gaming. This piece, written by Serugeinasu who attended the shareholders' meeting, powerfully captures their experience and realization of Nintendo's immense influence.
You delved into the appeal of Nintendo, a company familiar to many, from various perspectives, ranging from your childhood experiences to attending their shareholders' meeting. This post truly conveys the appeal of investing as a means of "supporting" a company. The final sentence, "'Support' is now social infrastructure," was also very powerful and impressive.
Supporting Company Award (TERRAST Award)
Happiness in working for everyone
Nihon Rikagaku Industry Co., Ltd. manufactures "Kitpas," a writing tool that can be drawn on and erased from chalkboards and glass windows. The author, Aruron, visited the company's factory on a training tour and became completely captivated by the company after learning about their commitment to hiring people with disabilities. This piece sincerely hopes that Nihon Rikagaku Industry's initiatives will spread and lead to a society where everyone can feel the happiness of working.
This is a wonderful article that allows you to feel the beliefs and social contribution power of Nihon Rikagaku Industry, which pursues "proactive sustainability" and involves the country, companies, people with disabilities, families, and welfare facilities to raise the upside for everyone. "It is not something that can be achieved overnight, but steady accumulation will bear fruit." You taught us the values that are truly important for companies to practice sustainability management.
Supporting Company Award (Members Decarbonization DX Award)
A gentle, biodegradable toothbrush made from 100% natural materials
Takuma Sugimura introduces "turalist," a Japanese-made toothbrush made from 100% natural materials. This toothbrush was created after the developer struggled with environmental issues and went through much trial and error. This piece strongly conveys Sugimura's love for turalist through the story of how they encountered it and their impressions after using it.
I feel that companies and consumers are dependent on each other's changes, saying "it won't sell even if we make it" or "we won't buy it because it doesn't exist." In this work, I felt the small signs of a shift toward a lifestyle in the era of climate change, created by the encounter between a company that tried making it and a consumer who tried buying it. The experience, including the conflicts, is written in detail, and I thought this kind of co-creative attitude has the power to push companies forward.
Supporting Company Award (IDEAS FOR GOOD Award)
A place to belong is created by "what you love": What I felt at "Daikai Bunko," a small library in Toyooka, Hyogo
Hiromi Takechi loves places where books are lined up, such as bookstores and libraries. Among them, she was particularly impressed by "Daikai Bunko," a small share-type library located in a shopping street in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. This piece powerfully expresses how this library reaffirmed her belief that "literature exists for the sake of living," as well as the dreams Takechi has for Daikai Bunko.
A small share library and medical consultation office in Hyogo Prefecture that "prescribes connections" to the community. It was a warm piece of writing that fully conveyed the appeal of this place, which has become a "haven" and "place to belong" for many people. It makes me feel the possibility that the connections born here will become a source of regional vitality and lead to a good society and a good cycle of money.
Winners
General comments from each judge
Every entry was filled with love based on things that moved the writers' hearts, and they were all truly touching. There are many ways to support a company, but what left an impression on me were the many instances of 'money flowing through shared action'—where people took a step further to learn about the companies creating these products and services, changed their own values or consumption habits, became shareholders, or started working there. I hope that through this contest, it serves as an opportunity not only to highlight wonderful companies that have moved someone's heart, but also to realize that we ourselves have the option to take a step forward and get involved.
Contrary to the lighthearted image of the word '#Oshi' (support/fandom), every piece was substantial and rewarding to read.
'Money for Good' might be a more familiar way of expressing your intentions to society than casting a vote in an election.
Choosing a company to support is like choosing a political party. Buying a product is like casting a vote.
I felt that 'Money for Good' is about spending money as if each individual is choosing the future they want to create.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone involved in this project, and conclude my general comments.
...
Although the submission period has ended, I hope this serves as an opportunity to think again about various companies and their activities.
Please take a look at other submitted works via the URL below.
Reflecting on the contest
Below is a comment from the Money for Good note team.
Money for Good aims to solve social issues through a 'good cycle of money.' It is a project we launched because we want to support people and companies that take kind actions for the Earth, the future, and others, in an effort to make society better.
In this 'Company I Want to Support' submission contest, the companies people wanted to support, the reasons why, and the methods of support were all diverse. However, all of them were overflowing with the kind sentiment of wanting to support those who are working hard for the sake of others. Thank you very much for all the wonderful submissions.