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About the Environmental Business Awards

Q1. Can I enter the Environmental Business Awards?
　　A1. The Environmental Business Award verifies the environmental activities of big corporations based on the information they disclosed. The category does not accept entries. Corporations interested in being considered for the category should actively disclose information about their environmental activities. Decision for the entries is based on research results.

About the Environmental Business Venture Awards

Q1. I can't attend the second screening (presentation and interview to be held at venues in Japan). Can I still enter the contest?
　　A1. To be eligible to enter the contest, you must be able to attend the second screening.

Q2. Can a business model that has already been put to use enter the contest?
　　A2. Business models that have already been put to use will be qualified, depending on the nature of the model. Those that are not widely known, or which are being partly modified for future implementation, for example, can be qualified.

Q3. In what level of detail do I need to fill in the form, particularly in the section for financial plans?
　　A3.As explained in the "Confidentiality of Submitted Documents" of the Entry Information of Environmental Business Venture Awards, entry forms will be reviewed by advisers who have been approved by the judges and the "eco japan cup" Secretariat and who have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to ensure that information will be used for review and advice purposes only and that it will not be used for other purposes without approval. However, please do not submit any high-level corporate secrets that you do not want to be seen by the contest judges or advisers. Please submit only contents that can be disclosed to the public in case your entry wins an award.

Q4. We cannot provide detailed financial plans because the business plan is still in a planning stage. Is it sufficient to provide only information we have to date?
　　A4. Please provide as much information as possible, including specific numbers that pertain to the plan's contents. When the information is an estimated or planned one, please indicate so.

Q5. The contest is said to target sole proprietors, NPOs, small and mid-sized companies, and venture businesses. Is an affiliated company or an in-house venture of a big corporation not qualified for the contest?
　　A5. A company, even if it is an affiliate of a big corporation, can submit their business plan if it is considered to be a small and mid-sized company. Also, in-house ventures that are not within the scope of the big corporation's main business area are eligible for the contest as well.

Q6. I have a business idea which has not yet started as an actual business. Can I enter the contest?
　　A6. Yes. However, the idea must be in the form of a business plan with specific details in order to become eligible for screening.

Q7. We are a group of friends from different organizations and we would like to enter as an individual. In such a case, what should we do about the financial plan, organization name, etc.?
　　A7. Please enter as an individual using the name of your group's representative. If the group would like to take this opportunity to launch the business, the group can enter using the name of the future business organization. Regarding the financial plan, please provide detailed information for the business being planned.

Q8. "Business Model Plan and Financial Plan (Form 2)" has a section, "Legal issues." Does the "Legal issues" refer to "whether there are legal issues that the entrant must resolve on his/her own," or to "whether there are legal issues on the part of legal systems that may deter the launch or operation of the business" (e.g. the need to enact/amend laws, the business does not fit into the current legal environment, etc.)?
　　A8. "Legal issues" here refers to "whether there are legal issues that the entrant as a business proprietor must resolve on his/her own." Please explain if there are any legal issues that may pose an obstacle to the launch or operation of the proposed business and recommend solutions, if available.

Q9. I have entered your contest in the past. Can I apply again?？
　　A9. As long as the project is different, you can enter again. Even if it is a previously submitted project, if the project has new developments or activities, you can reapply.

Q10. Can I change the cell dimensions (Excel) of the entry form when I fill in the plan of my business model?
　　A10. You can change the cell height (Excel) of the entry form but not the cell width. Please do not add or delete any rows or columns for the purpose of adding or deleting question items. The page limit for the entry forms is 7 pages. Please adjust contents to meet the page limit. 。

Q11. I have many things to fill in the entry form. Entry Form (1) + Entry Form (2) + reference materials will total 15 pages. Will this be a problem?
　　A11. Please limit Entry Form (1) + Entry Form (2) + reference materials to 10 pages. Please note that the entry will not be accepted if it exceeds the page limit.

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