New Organization in Aichi Supports Children and Parents Amid Record High of Over 350,000 School Refusal Cases

The general incorporated association 'Childcare Future Support Oyatokonest' (Location: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Representative Director: Mayumi Watanabe) held an inaugural lecture meeting on June 7, 2026 (Sunday).

According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's survey for fiscal year 2024, the number of elementary and junior high school students who refuse to attend school reached approximately 354,000, the highest ever. As the environment surrounding children changes, supporting children and families who are anxious or troubled alone has become a major challenge for the community.

Against this background, 'Oyatokonest' was established not only to support children themselves but also to create a regional support hub where parents, teachers, and supporters, who are adults involved with children, can consult and connect with each other comfortably. The inaugural lecture meeting was attended by approximately 42 participants, including parents, educators, and supporters. Under the theme of 'Children's Growth: Valuing Individual Differences,' they learned about perspectives on understanding children's characteristics and growth and supporting them in the community.

To support children, first, a place where adults involved with children can feel secure

Representative Director Mayumi Watanabe shares her thoughts on the establishment

At the opening, Representative Director Mayumi Watanabe shared her thoughts on the establishment as follows: 'To support children, it is important that adults involved with children are in good spirits. With the desire to create a place where parents, teachers, and supporters can connect and support each other comfortably, we have launched Oyatokonest.'

The name 'Oyatokonest' embodies the wish that it be a place like a 'nest' where children, parents, and supporting adults can rest their wings comfortably and regain the strength to move forward.

Support that values the differences of each individual: 'There is no such thing as an average child'

Lecture by Oyatokonest advisor Shinkichi Maki

In the lecture, Oyatokonest advisor Shinkichi Maki gave a lecture titled 'Children's Growth: Valuing Individual Differences.' Maki emphasized the importance of understanding that each child's development and growth is unique and that it is crucial to understand the pace and characteristics of each child, rather than judging them based solely on averages or standards.

He also mentioned that throughout human history, children have been raised through 'cooperative child-rearing,' and emphasized the need for a system where the entire community or society supports child-rearing, not just parents. Furthermore, through his interactions with children with autism spectrum disorder, he introduced that 'the world seen and the information received by each child is different.' He spoke about the importance of understanding and supporting each child according to their unique characteristics.

At the end of the lecture, the message 'People have the power to grow' was conveyed. If there is a place to return to with peace of mind or a connection with someone trustworthy, both children and parents have the power to grow and develop on their own. This lecture meeting became an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of supporting that power throughout the community.

Participant feedback from the day

Participant voices (excerpts from the survey)

・I realized that trusting children is really important. I will believe in and watch over my son.

・I felt that parents don't have to bear everything alone, and my heart felt lighter.

・It became an opportunity to rethink how to interact with children.

・I realized the importance of supporting children and parents in the community, not isolating parents alone.

The atmosphere of the day

About future activities <Aiming for the opening of a free school in fiscal 2027>

Oyatokonest aims to create a society where children can grow up with peace of mind and walk towards the future as themselves. To achieve this, in addition to supporting children themselves, it is essential to create an environment where parents, grandparents, teachers, and regional supporters, who are adults involved with children, can consult and connect with each other comfortably. In the future, to realize a society where children can grow up with peace of mind and walk towards the future as themselves, we will advance the following activities.

・Parent-child consultation

・Parent consultation

・Teacher consultation

・Parent training

・Parent cafe

・Teacher cafe

・School refusal support

・Child energy charge support

・Training for schools, companies, and local governments

・Human resource development to support children and parents

In addition to advancing these activities, we are preparing for the opening of a free school in fiscal 2027.

The scene of parent-child consultation

What is the free school that Oyatokonest aims for?

The free school that Oyatokonest aims for is not just a place for children who cannot go to school. It is a place of learning and growth that values each individual's differences and growth, emphasizing 'things that can be done with peace of mind,' 'connecting with people,' and 'regaining one's own identity.'

The Child and Family Agency also emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where children and young people can have diverse places in their nearby communities while listening to their voices. Oyatokonest will create a form of support rooted in the community in line with this social trend.

School refusal, developmental characteristics, and anxiety about school life can be significant concerns not only for children themselves but also for parents and teachers. Oyatokonest believes that adults who support children should also be supported. Parents can consult with peace of mind. Teachers can talk without bearing everything alone. Supporters can learn from and connect with each other. The accumulation of these efforts leads to the peace of mind of children.

Under the philosophy of 'Leaning in, Connecting, Growing Together, Raising the Future Eggs Together,' Oyatokonest will continue to support the future of children and the adults who support their growth.

About the general incorporated association Childcare Future Support 'Oyatokonest'

From left: Director Yoko Oda, Advisor Kikuji Inoue, Advisor Shinkichi Maki, Representative Director Mayumi Watanabe

【Corporate Overview】

Corporate Name: General Incorporated Association Childcare Future Support (Common Name: Oyatokonest)

Representative Director: Mayumi Watanabe

Representative Director's Background: Former Principal of Nagoya City Elementary School, School Counselor, Certified Psychologist, Career Counselor

Location: 1111 Fushimi, Daiya Palace, 2-1-12 Sakae, Nakaku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture

*Scheduled to move by the end of August 2026 (The new location will be announced on the website as soon as it is decided)

Established: September 11, 2025

Philosophy: Leaning in, Connecting, Growing Together, Raising the Future Eggs Together

Business Content: Parent-child consultation, parent support, parent training, training business, creating places, school refusal support, etc.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oyatokonest?igsh=ZDVjcmwwazFzMzdy&utm_source=qr

【Inquiries regarding this matter】

General Incorporated Association Childcare Future Support (Oyatokonest)

Representative Director Mayumi Watanabe

E-mail: contact@oyatokonest.or.jp

TEL: 070-8350-5245

HP: https://oyatokonest.or.jp