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Contest Information
Theme: “Let’s work together for our sustainable Earth!”
What can we do to protect the precious global environment for the future so that all living things can live together? Please express your thoughts and ideas freely in your painting.
Entry Guide
Please apply by or under the supervision of a guardian, or a teacher (at a school / art class).
Entry period
From Monday, June 1 through Friday, September 4, 2026, 23:59 JST
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* JST applies to the description of the date and time.
Eligibility
Children aged 6-15 years
as of the end of August 2026
Requirements for the work
- Work dimensions：(min) 271mm×392mm ~ A3 (297×420mm) ~ (max) 392mm×542mm
- Medium：Any means of direct painting, or coloring - crayon, colored pencil, watercolor, acrylic or oil paint, ink, wood or linocut printing, etc.
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Numbers of entry：Only one entry per individual
Original unpublished work created by the applicant themselves after January 2026 - Important notice：The following works are not eligible for review:
- Works with pasted elements (collage) / works painted on canvas / digital artworks and works created using AI
- Works with text such as catchphrases or slogans
- Works with specific characters, logos and names of individuals, companies, or products
- Works that Kao determines to be highly similar to existing artworks and likely to infringe on the rights of third parties
- Works created jointly with third parties
How to apply
When applying an entry form, personal information should be filled out by guardian or with a consent of guardian.
Please submit your entry by either of the following methods;
1. Uploading an image of the work
Photograph or scan your entry and upload the image via the entry website.
Submissions with unclear images, incorrect file format/size shall be disqualified.
E-mail entries are not accepted.
2. Sending the original work
Fill in all fields within the bold-lined section of the designated “Entry Form,” attach it to the back of the artwork, and send it by post.
Incorrect size or missing/incomplete entry forms shall be disqualified.
Send it in a flat envelope, inserting cardboard or something firm to ensure it does not bend during shipping.
For detailed information on submission, please refer to the Contest entry guide below.
Send your work to
Kao International Environment Painting Contest for Children Office
4-1-5 Higashi-Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-0032, JAPAN
Direct contact for your inquiry
Office hours 10:00-17:00 (JST) (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, Public holidays, Summer holidays, and the year-end and New Year holidays)
Schedule
Monday, June 1, 2026：Entries open
Friday, September 4, 2026：Entries close
Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2026 (JST).
December 2026：Announcement of winners
The contest results will be announced on this website, and the contest office will contact prizewinners or their schools/art classes directly.
- An entry will be disqualified from judging or receiving an award if, after being notified by the Secretariat, the Applicant fails to respond with the necessary information or take the required steps for judging that have been set by Kao, or if Kao is not able to contact the Applicant.
Late December 2026: Announcement of winning works
Prizes
Kao * Kirei Grand Prize: 1 winner
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* Kirei：The Japanese word “kirei” describes something that is clean, well-ordered, and beautiful all at once. For Kao, this concept of “kirei” not only describes appearance but also attitude—a desire to create beauty for oneself, for other people, and for the natural world around us.
Kao Special Prize: 8 winners
Jury’s Special Prize : 7 winners
Honorable Mention (includes Kao Employee Prize) : 16 winners
Group Prize: 5 groups
- Group Prizes are awarded to 5 schools or art classes who submit the most entries.
- Individuals are not eligible for the group award; only groups such as schools or art classes may apply.
- The number of awards in each category may be subject to change depending on the number of entries.
Announcements
By the end of December 2026, the contest office will contact the prize winners (or their schools or art classes) directly.
The contest results will also be announced on this website.
Jury panel
Mr. Fumikazu Masuda, Chair of Jury, Design consultant, President, open house inc.
Ms. Sumiko Okubo, Artist
Mr. Kei Matsushita, Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts
Mr. Leonhard Bartolomeus, Curator, Yamaguchi Center for Arts and Media
Ms. Ayami, Recycled materials artist
Mr. Atsushi Tanaka, Director, Kao Eco-Lab Museum
Mr. Naoto Katahira, Vice President, Creative, Kao Corporation
Notes on applications
- Applicants must obtain the consent of a parent or legal guardian before submitting an entry.
- Original works will not be returned. Prize-winning works may be edited or partially modified and used and/or published for corporate communications and sales promotion activities related to the concept of sustainability and environmentally friendly products produced by Kao or its affiliates. In such cases, the size and colors of the work may differ from the original. We may also use the winners’ information and the submitted portrait photograph.
- Personal information provided by applicants will be used to administer the contest, including contacting winners, and for public relations activities both inside and outside the company. We will not provide applicants’ personal information to third parties without the applicant’s consent, except for the purposes stated above.
- This page contains a summary of the Terms and Conditions of Entry. In the event of a discrepancy between this summary and the official terms and conditions, the official terms and conditions will prevail in all cases. The official Terms and Conditions of Entry are set out below.
Handling of Personal Information
Kao abide by the following Kao Group Privacy Policy. Please familiarize yourself with these contents before using this website and/or submitting an entry to the contest.