Former THE BLUE HEARTS Drummer Tetsuya Kajiwara to Participate! Parents of Children with School Refusal Form a Rock Band! "Koko" Free School to Hold Music Festival on June 19 (Fri) [On-site Media Coverage Welcome]

To All Media Representatives,

Scenes from the previous music festival

Free School Koko (Office: Suita City, Osaka Prefecture, Director: Motoharu Mishina), which operates a place for children with school refusal, will hold a music festival "THE 1st BEAT Fes" on Friday, June 19, 2026, at "LIVEBAR TAKEFIVE OSAKA" in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture. This event will primarily feature parents of children with school refusal.

This event is a handmade music festival created through the cooperation of all participants, including current students, alumni, parents, and staff of the free school, each utilizing their unique strengths and sharing roles.

On the day, rock bands formed by parents who have faced their child's school refusal and have put their own work and hobbies on hold, as well as children who are themselves experiencing school refusal, will take the stage to perform with passion. Furthermore, it has been decided that Tetsuya Kajiwara, former drummer of THE BLUE HEARTS and someone who also has experience with school refusal, will be a special guest!

He will join the parent bands and children's bands on stage to play together with powerful beats. Current students, alumni, and staff of the free school will also unite to liven up the stage with singing, playing, and dancing. By openly showcasing parents "genuinely enjoying music," the event aims to expand the warm community among parents, prevent social isolation, and deliver forward-looking energy to the children.

Photo of poster shooting with Tetsuya Kajiwara

■ Background of the Event: The Harsh Reality and Isolation of Parents Facing "1 in 4 Parents Experiencing School Refusal-Related Leave/Resignation"

Amidst a continuous record high in the number of students with school refusal nationwide, recent surveys have revealed the serious reality that approximately one in four parents are forced to take leave or resign from their jobs to support their children, a phenomenon known as "school refusal-related employment changes." When the burden of care falls solely on the family, parents face not only financial anxiety but also social and community isolation, leading to cases where they become mentally overwhelmed.

"The moment my child became school-refusing, my own life, hobbies, and enjoyment were all put on hold." - Parents who have harbored such worries, inspired by seeing their children become independent at the free school, a safe haven, have rediscovered their long-abandoned hobby of "music." Now, the parents themselves embody the "Koko" philosophy: "The only ruler needed is 'oneself.'"

■ Special Guest Appearance by Tetsuya Kajiwara, Former Drummer of THE BLUE HEARTS

Tetsuya Kajiwara, who was active as the drummer for the legendary band "THE BLUE HEARTS," whose numerous hit songs shook the era and continue to be loved across generations, also experienced school refusal himself, having struggled to fit into school.

Mr. Kajiwara, who has embodied the message "It's okay not to play by the sheet music" and "Live by your own beat, not by others' standards," will join the parents' stage as a guest drummer, as they express themselves overcoming various struggles. The moment the professional's soul and the parents' earnest feelings intersect will release powerful energy not only to the children but to society as a whole.

■ Social Significance and Objectives of This Event

1. A "Community to Prevent Isolation" Among Parents, Born from the Sight of Parents Genuinely Enjoying Themselves

By meeting peers with whom they can share their worries, playing music together, and laughing heartily, a strong safety net (parent community) is created, fostering the feeling of "I am not alone."

2. Positive Impact on Children

Seeing their parents, who usually worry and frown for their sake, shine on stage and enjoy themselves to the fullest provides children who are experiencing school refusal or are alumni with a great sense of security and hope for the future, conveying that "the adult world is fun" and "I can do what I like too." The message that it is not necessary to live by the sheet music or by common sense is conveyed through music.

■ Event Overview

【 THE 1st BEAT Fes】

Date & Time: Friday, June 19, 2026 Doors Open 14:00 / Start 15:00

Venue: LIVEBAR TAKEFIVE OSAKA (DF Bldg. 3F, 1-15 Enoki-cho, Suita City, Osaka)

Admission Fee: Free (※ As the venue is full with community members, general admission is not available)

Organizer: NPO Koko

Time Schedule (★ Mark: Guest Tetsuya Kajiwara will also participate)

■ Organizer Overview

Organization Name: NPO Koko

Representative: Director Motoharu Mishina

Location: Suita School [Amakari]〒564-0032 1-19-7 Uchihonmachi, Suita City, Osaka

Business Activities: Operation of free schools for youth facing school refusal, hikikomori, etc. (Suita School [Amakari], Minami-Suita School [Idobata], Awaji School [Uirumo], Hankyu-Suita School [Orimaru], etc.), parent support, planning and operation of community exchange events. Active with the vision of "Creating a society where everyone is accepted and can become independent, regardless of whether they attend school or not."

Organization Website: https://npokoko.org

■ Inquiries and Media Coverage Requests

Interviews with parents, scenes of Tetsuya Kajiwara's performance, and the stages of children and staff are available for coverage, including video and photo shooting.

Advance contact will facilitate a smoother process, but **on-site media coverage is also welcome**. Please identify yourself as media personnel at the reception.

NPO Koko (Contact: Baba)

TEL: 06-6382-5514

E-mail: office@npokoko.org