Parent Consultation Sparks Company’s First Programming Internship: Press Release Selected for "Press Release Awards 2026 Best 101"
Chosen from 4,236 Press Releases | A New Collaboration Between Local IT Company and Tatsuno-Higashi Junior High School Supporting a Student’s Passion
The press release issued by learningBOX, Inc.—titled "Realized Through a Parent's Request: Tatsuno-Higashi Junior High School's First IT Company Internship in Hyogo, learningBOX Welcomes First Students for 'Try-yaru Week'"—has been selected as one of the "Best 101" press releases in the "Press Release Awards 2026" hosted by PR TIMES Inc. The award evaluated 4,236 press releases distributed between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026.
"Best 101" Selected Press Release
The press release selected for the "Best 101" highlights learningBOX’s first-time hosting of students from Tatsuno-Higashi Junior High School as part of Hyogo Prefecture’s work-experience initiative, "Try-yaru Week."
During the one-week internship, learningBOX offered a tailored program giving students hands-on experience with work unique to an IT company, including system development, design, and UI. The program content was carefully designed around the students' interests and strengths, creating a supportive environment where they could participate with confidence. Beyond summarizing the internship activities, the press release included quotes and photos from the students to convey the new learning possibilities created through local school-business partnerships.
Judges' Comments
■ Yoko Yasunari (Head of Business Media Editing / Editor-in-Chief of Biz/Zine, Shoesha Co., Ltd.)
"This press release resonates with readers, inspiring them to think, 'I want to try this too,' or 'I’d like to do this at my own company or school.' It truly demonstrates how a press release can spark a broader wave of initiative."
■ Yuji Nemoto (Editor-in-Chief of Monthly PR Magazine (Kohokaigi), Sendenkaigi Co., Ltd.)
"I was impressed by how including the background of the invitation and the local context allowed readers to relate to the story on a personal level."
The Story Behind the Press Release
In crafting this press release, learningBOX focused not only on reporting the completion of the internship, but also on conveying why this initiative came to fruition and why we felt compelled to share it with society.
It all began with a consultation email sent to CEO Nishimura from a parent at his alma mater, Tatsuno-Higashi Junior High School: "My son loves programming. I want him to meet professionals working in IT to give him the confidence to step out into society." Inspired by the parent's passion, we realized, "This is something only we can do," and immediately took action.
As an IT company headquartered in Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture, learningBOX aims to support the dreams of local students passionate about programming while demonstrating the unique potential of educational partnerships formed by regional IT companies. This vision drove us to share our story with the world.
Through this release, we hoped to show how encouraging local youth to pursue their passions can expand their horizons, while highlighting the educational possibilities created when local businesses and schools collaborate.
Following the release, we received positive external feedback, including inquiries from parents at other schools asking if we could host work experiences for their children. Furthermore, our relationship with the school continued to grow, culminating about eight months later in a collaborative ICT lesson project with the school’s special education class.
learningBOX remains committed to expanding learning opportunities and future possibilities for children alongside our local community.
About the "Press Release Awards" and "Best101"
Established by PR TIMES Inc. in 2021, the "Press Release Awards" recognize press releases that deliver new value to society. The "Press Release Awards 2026" evaluated press releases issued between August 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, selecting the "Best 101."
■"Press Release Awards" Special Page
The "Best 101" represents the top 101 entries selected out of 4,236 press releases submitted during the eligible period. Among diverse announcements from companies and organizations, these 101 entries advanced to the final judging round for effectively communicating their underlying intent, connection to society, and creative messaging.
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