YBS, a Japan-Originated International School in a City of 20,000 U.S. Military Personnel, to Partner with Kanagawa Dental University as an Affiliated School
YBS Bilingual School and Kanagawa Dental University have signed an affiliation agreement to establish a 'Preparation Office' in April 2026. The partnership aims to create a consistent educational environment for students aged 0 to 18, integrating university resources and high-level STEM education.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 18:00
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YBS Bilingual School (operated by LaLaLand Education Co., Ltd., HQ: Yokosuka, Kanagawa; CEO: Fumi Inoue, hereinafter 'YBS') has concluded an affiliation agreement with Kanagawa Dental University (Yokosuka, Kanagawa). Along with this partnership, we are pleased to announce the establishment of an 'Affiliation Preparation Office' within Kanagawa Dental University starting April 2026 to facilitate future educational collaboration.
Since its founding in 2013, YBS has practiced unique international education in Yokosuka, a city nurturing 20,000 U.S. military personnel, and was accredited as a 'Cambridge International School' in 2022. Based on this achievement, YBS has entered into a partnership with a medical university with over 100 years of history. Moving forward, we will deepen the academic learning environment and establish an integrated education system from age 0 to 18 where future paths, including overseas university admissions, are clearly visible.
### Background and Purpose of the Partnership
Since its inception, YBS has built a unique academic environment as a 'school for multicultural coexistence' where students learn alongside foreigners while remaining in Japan. This partnership merges YBS's 'bilingual education' with the university's 'advanced expertise and facilities,' evolving international education into a more open, next-generation form. Through the 'Preparation Office' opening this April, both institutions will accelerate the development of specific educational programs and curricula utilizing university facilities.
### Specific Educational Developments
1. Launch of 'Affiliation Preparation Office' in April 2026: Utilizing University Resources
Based in the preparation office, we will build a system where YBS students can benefit from university resources, such as special lectures by professors and lab experiences. We will sequentially release collaborative programs for existing students and parents.
2. 'Authentic' STEM Education Utilizing University Facilities
Students will have daily access to the university's vast campus, laboratories, libraries, and experimental equipment. Beyond textbook learning, we will merge Cambridge-style inquiry-based learning with advanced scientific approaches (STEM) through lectures and experiments.
3. Building a Consistent 0-18 Educational Pathway
We will construct a seamless educational flow starting from preschool, moving through elementary, middle, and high school, and leading to university. By including pathways to domestic medical universities, we provide peace of mind and diverse options for parents and students.
4. Promoting 'Inbound Education' Rooted in the Community
In the future, we aim to establish a 'Student Dormitory' to accept international students. Leveraging Yokosuka's unique character, we will promote 'Inbound Education' where international and Japanese children live and learn together, developing Yokosuka into a 'global and advanced educational hub.'
### Comment from CEO: Fumi Inoue
'YBS started 13 years ago as a small preschool. This partnership is the start of a "new adventure" that will greatly expand children's futures. With the preparation office in the university, a system is in place where "authentic knowledge and equipment" directly connect to their learning. We will work with the university to create an environment where children can call Yokosuka their "Home Country" no matter where they are in the world, flexibly incorporating the best of Japan and the world.'
### Comment from Chairman of Kanagawa Dental University: Isamu Kashima
'Our growth strategy focuses on "insight into the only one." This means shaping original ideas that others cannot mimic with speed and decisiveness. Seven years ago, we accepted YBS led by CEO Fumi Inoue. Having started accepting international students into the Faculty of Dentistry 17 years ago, we felt no discomfort. Rather, for our university aiming to create value 50 years from now, it was like a godsend. We must evolve while reading the times, such as the declining 18-year-old population and changes in social structures due to AI. YBS provides an opportunity to rethink the university by merging medical care and internationalization. Together with YBS, we will challenge ourselves to create new value through a nationwide, boarding-style integrated middle-high-university education system.'
Since its founding in 2013, YBS has practiced unique international education in Yokosuka, a city nurturing 20,000 U.S. military personnel, and was accredited as a 'Cambridge International School' in 2022. Based on this achievement, YBS has entered into a partnership with a medical university with over 100 years of history. Moving forward, we will deepen the academic learning environment and establish an integrated education system from age 0 to 18 where future paths, including overseas university admissions, are clearly visible.
### Background and Purpose of the Partnership
Since its inception, YBS has built a unique academic environment as a 'school for multicultural coexistence' where students learn alongside foreigners while remaining in Japan. This partnership merges YBS's 'bilingual education' with the university's 'advanced expertise and facilities,' evolving international education into a more open, next-generation form. Through the 'Preparation Office' opening this April, both institutions will accelerate the development of specific educational programs and curricula utilizing university facilities.
### Specific Educational Developments
1. Launch of 'Affiliation Preparation Office' in April 2026: Utilizing University Resources
Based in the preparation office, we will build a system where YBS students can benefit from university resources, such as special lectures by professors and lab experiences. We will sequentially release collaborative programs for existing students and parents.
2. 'Authentic' STEM Education Utilizing University Facilities
Students will have daily access to the university's vast campus, laboratories, libraries, and experimental equipment. Beyond textbook learning, we will merge Cambridge-style inquiry-based learning with advanced scientific approaches (STEM) through lectures and experiments.
3. Building a Consistent 0-18 Educational Pathway
We will construct a seamless educational flow starting from preschool, moving through elementary, middle, and high school, and leading to university. By including pathways to domestic medical universities, we provide peace of mind and diverse options for parents and students.
4. Promoting 'Inbound Education' Rooted in the Community
In the future, we aim to establish a 'Student Dormitory' to accept international students. Leveraging Yokosuka's unique character, we will promote 'Inbound Education' where international and Japanese children live and learn together, developing Yokosuka into a 'global and advanced educational hub.'
### Comment from CEO: Fumi Inoue
'YBS started 13 years ago as a small preschool. This partnership is the start of a "new adventure" that will greatly expand children's futures. With the preparation office in the university, a system is in place where "authentic knowledge and equipment" directly connect to their learning. We will work with the university to create an environment where children can call Yokosuka their "Home Country" no matter where they are in the world, flexibly incorporating the best of Japan and the world.'
### Comment from Chairman of Kanagawa Dental University: Isamu Kashima
'Our growth strategy focuses on "insight into the only one." This means shaping original ideas that others cannot mimic with speed and decisiveness. Seven years ago, we accepted YBS led by CEO Fumi Inoue. Having started accepting international students into the Faculty of Dentistry 17 years ago, we felt no discomfort. Rather, for our university aiming to create value 50 years from now, it was like a godsend. We must evolve while reading the times, such as the declining 18-year-old population and changes in social structures due to AI. YBS provides an opportunity to rethink the university by merging medical care and internationalization. Together with YBS, we will challenge ourselves to create new value through a nationwide, boarding-style integrated middle-high-university education system.'