【University that Travels Regions】Daiichi Gakuin High School to Launch Program Combining Self-Inquiry and Cross-Border Experience for "Premium Course Social Inquiry x Comprehensive Selection Specialization" Students.
Satonoba University and Daiichi Gakuin High School have partnered to launch a "Social Inquiry x Comprehensive Selection Specialization" program for approximately 100 high school students, combining self-inquiry and regional study abroad. The program aims to empower students to envision their own future and step into society.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 15:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 11:57 (92h 25m after Collected)
Satonoba University (operated by Asunooto Inc., located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Ryosuke Nobuoka), which proposes "new ways of learning" with regions across Japan as its campus, will participate as a partner in Daiichi Gakuin High School's newly established Premium Course "Social Inquiry x Comprehensive Selection Specialization," operated by Withus Inc. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka, Representative Director and President: Tomio Ikoma). This collaboration will provide a phased program for approximately 100 high school students, ranging from online interactive workshops to actual "regional study abroad" experiences in local communities. Satonoba University's expertise in fostering "future co-creation talent" will be implemented in high school education, nurturing students' ability to envision their own future and step into society.
■ Background
(Source: Recruit Shingaku Soken, "Understanding the Reality of Expanding Year-End Admissions – From MEXT Data and Recruit Shingaku Census 2025" https://souken.shingakunet.com/higher/2026/01/post-3523.html)
According to a survey by Recruit Shingaku Soken, the number of students admitted through comprehensive selection has increased by 40,000 over eight years. In an era where clearly defining "what one wants to do" and having questions for society directly leads to positive evaluations, there is a growing need to connect high-quality inquiry-based learning and experiences during high school to future career paths. Satonoba University has previously collaborated with Daiichi Gakuin through workshops, regional study abroad programs, and teacher training. This time, Satonoba University's co-creative learning know-how has been arranged into a program for high school students, offering online self-inquiry learning and cross-border experiences through regional study abroad. The program aims to support strong motivation beyond university selection based solely on deviation scores, focusing on "why study this path," and to accompany students in their steps toward self-realization, looking ahead to careers beyond university.
■ Program Offerings
Connecting Your "Likes" to Your Career
In the first half of this specialization, Satonoba University will produce the process from "self-inquiry" to "cross-border experience (regional study abroad)." While many inquiry-based learning programs tend to conclude with problem-solving or plan presentation, Satonoba University places importance on nurturing the source of the question "why am I doing this?" The essential desires discovered here are intended to form the foundation for idea construction in the latter half of this specialization and for career path selection.
【Self-Inquiry Workshop】Transforming "Muddles" into "Excitement"
Instead of merely acquiring knowledge, students will analyze their "likes" and "strengths" from multiple angles. We will accompany them through the process of transforming small everyday discomforts ("muddles") that everyone experiences into questions for society. By learning interview techniques and question-making methods, students will discover the seeds of their truly "desired future."
Number of sessions: 7 in total (planned)
Format: Online / Interactive workshop
【Cross-Border Program】Regional Study Abroad to Rediscover "Yourself" by Stepping Out of Daily Life
Armed with the questions refined online, students will immerse themselves in unique regions (various locations across Japan). They will experience the real local life not found in textbooks, encounter people living there, and engage in deep conversations with fellow travelers. Through this "cross-border" experience, students are encouraged to objectively view themselves and undergo "self-transformation" to express their thoughts in their own words.
Locations: Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture; Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture; Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (planned)
Format: 3-day overnight program or day trip program (student choice)
【Mentoring System】Inquiry-Based Learning Professionals and Regional Players Accompany Students
In this program, Satonoba University's chairman, president, and the curriculum design team will serve as instructors. Additionally, in the cross-border program, regional players who are continuously challenging regional revitalization will connect students with the regions, offering cross-border experiences that go beyond mere tourism. Furthermore, in collaboration with Daiichi Gakuin teachers, an environment will be created throughout the year for students to find their own answers.
■ Specialization Overview
Name: Daiichi Gakuin High School Premium Course Social Inquiry x Comprehensive Selection Specialization
Start Date: April 2026~
Target: Daiichi Gakuin High School 2nd-year students
Format: Online interactive lectures and regional cross-border learning in various domestic locations
Detailed URL: https://www.daiichigakuin.ed.jp/course/tankyu/
*Asunooto Inc. (Satonoba University) is responsible for self-inquiry online lectures and regional study abroad program development and mentoring.
■ About Satonoba University, the "University that Travels Regions"
■ Background
(Source: Recruit Shingaku Soken, "Understanding the Reality of Expanding Year-End Admissions – From MEXT Data and Recruit Shingaku Census 2025" https://souken.shingakunet.com/higher/2026/01/post-3523.html)
According to a survey by Recruit Shingaku Soken, the number of students admitted through comprehensive selection has increased by 40,000 over eight years. In an era where clearly defining "what one wants to do" and having questions for society directly leads to positive evaluations, there is a growing need to connect high-quality inquiry-based learning and experiences during high school to future career paths. Satonoba University has previously collaborated with Daiichi Gakuin through workshops, regional study abroad programs, and teacher training. This time, Satonoba University's co-creative learning know-how has been arranged into a program for high school students, offering online self-inquiry learning and cross-border experiences through regional study abroad. The program aims to support strong motivation beyond university selection based solely on deviation scores, focusing on "why study this path," and to accompany students in their steps toward self-realization, looking ahead to careers beyond university.
■ Program Offerings
Connecting Your "Likes" to Your Career
In the first half of this specialization, Satonoba University will produce the process from "self-inquiry" to "cross-border experience (regional study abroad)." While many inquiry-based learning programs tend to conclude with problem-solving or plan presentation, Satonoba University places importance on nurturing the source of the question "why am I doing this?" The essential desires discovered here are intended to form the foundation for idea construction in the latter half of this specialization and for career path selection.
【Self-Inquiry Workshop】Transforming "Muddles" into "Excitement"
Instead of merely acquiring knowledge, students will analyze their "likes" and "strengths" from multiple angles. We will accompany them through the process of transforming small everyday discomforts ("muddles") that everyone experiences into questions for society. By learning interview techniques and question-making methods, students will discover the seeds of their truly "desired future."
Number of sessions: 7 in total (planned)
Format: Online / Interactive workshop
【Cross-Border Program】Regional Study Abroad to Rediscover "Yourself" by Stepping Out of Daily Life
Armed with the questions refined online, students will immerse themselves in unique regions (various locations across Japan). They will experience the real local life not found in textbooks, encounter people living there, and engage in deep conversations with fellow travelers. Through this "cross-border" experience, students are encouraged to objectively view themselves and undergo "self-transformation" to express their thoughts in their own words.
Locations: Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture; Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture; Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture; Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture (planned)
Format: 3-day overnight program or day trip program (student choice)
【Mentoring System】Inquiry-Based Learning Professionals and Regional Players Accompany Students
In this program, Satonoba University's chairman, president, and the curriculum design team will serve as instructors. Additionally, in the cross-border program, regional players who are continuously challenging regional revitalization will connect students with the regions, offering cross-border experiences that go beyond mere tourism. Furthermore, in collaboration with Daiichi Gakuin teachers, an environment will be created throughout the year for students to find their own answers.
■ Specialization Overview
Name: Daiichi Gakuin High School Premium Course Social Inquiry x Comprehensive Selection Specialization
Start Date: April 2026~
Target: Daiichi Gakuin High School 2nd-year students
Format: Online interactive lectures and regional cross-border learning in various domestic locations
Detailed URL: https://www.daiichigakuin.ed.jp/course/tankyu/
*Asunooto Inc. (Satonoba University) is responsible for self-inquiry online lectures and regional study abroad program development and mentoring.
■ About Satonoba University, the "University that Travels Regions"