Bungo-takada City, Oita: Public-Private Cram School 'Umine' Supports 6 Consecutive Years as #1 in 'Most Desirable Rural Place to Live' Ranking
Bungo-takada City in Oita Prefecture has achieved the #1 spot in all categories of the 'Most Desirable Rural Place to Live' ranking for six consecutive years. The 'Umine' public-private cram school, operated by FoundingBase Inc., plays a vital role in providing high-quality education, supporting 30% of local high school students and achieving significant university entrance results, which attracts and retains migrant families.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 22:00
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In the February 2026 issue of Takarajimasha's 'Inaka Kurashi no Hon' (Rural Life Magazine), Bungo-takada City in Oita Prefecture won first place in all categories for cities with a population under 30,000, including the Overall Division, Young Generation/Singles, Child-rearing Generation, and Senior Generation.
Bungo-takada has remained in the top three since the first ranking in 2013, achieving a top-three spot for 14 consecutive years—the only city in Japan to do so. This year marks the sixth consecutive year it has swept first place in every category, a national first.
The city has garnered national attention for its bold child-rearing support measures, such as making childcare, school tuition, meals, and medical expenses completely free from age zero through high school to combat population decline.
However, the key to retaining migrants and building a sustainable future for the town is the quality of the educational environment and the trust that 'children can expand their possibilities in this town.'
FoundingBase Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya, Tokyo; CEO: Kenji Yamamoto), which co-creates regional development projects with 25 municipalities nationwide, operates 'Umine,' a 21st-century learning school for students of Takada High School, the only prefectural high school in the city. Umine is a public-private partnership (PPP) school aimed at enhancing the high school's appeal.
We looked back at the efforts of this 'Educational Co-creation' with the city, which produces results in 'academic improvement and career path realization' beyond economic support, together with Mr. Katsuhata, who has been involved in the operation of Umine since FY2022.
What is the Public-Private Cram School 'Umine'?
—Once again, what kind of place is Umine?
Katsuhata: Umine opened in 2022 with the goal of enhancing the appeal of Takada Prefectural High School so that it continues to be chosen by students from both within and outside the region.
In high school education, simultaneous lectures based on the curriculum are the norm, making it difficult to progress lessons according to each student's academic level or motivation. Umine provides 'supportive learning' where students set their own study plans and develop the ability to run on their own. By creating a system that supports basic academic improvement and inquiry-based learning to delve into areas of interest, Umine's role is to ensure Takada High School is chosen as a 'place where one can grow.'
5 Years of Performance and Student Changes in Numbers
—This is the fifth year of operation. What specific results have been achieved?
Katsuhata: Yes. In FY2025, the total number of students attending reached 114. This means about 30% of Takada High School students are attending Umine.
—Has there been a change in student awareness since the opening?
Katsuhata: When we opened, there were no public cram schools for high schoolers, only private ones. Initially, many students came because it was 'free.' However, in recent years, more students are attending with clear goals, such as 'overcoming weak subjects' or 'realizing career paths after graduation.' I feel that Umine is gradually becoming recognized by the town as a 'place people choose to attend.'
—The city also considers the university entrance rate a key metric. How were the entrance results for 2025?
Katsuhata: Umine established an 'Exam Course' and provides study curricula and exam preparation tailored to students' target universities, such as recommendation-based or common tests. In FY2025, 19 students secured spots at universities like Oita University and Kagoshima University, and others decided on employment, such as with the Oita Prefectural Government. Students are carving out their own paths with their own will.
Introducing Group-Individual Lessons for Steady Success
—The new school year has begun. Are there any new initiatives?
Katsuhata: Based on last year's results, we plan to introduce group-individual lessons this year. Having peers with the same goals nearby provides a moderate 'coercive force' for learning that is hard to maintain alone. At the same time, it allows instructors to efficiently check overall progress and provide precise advice on individual learning situations. By making group-individual lessons the core of our structure, we aim to ensure a high standard of 'quantity' and 'quality' of learning, leading students to their desired career goals.
—What are the prospects for next year and beyond?
Katsuhata: The efforts in learning support and career education through the partnership between Takada High School and Umine are showing results in improved test scores and university entrance rates. The city currently runs three projects for elementary and junior high students under the '21st Century Learning School' brand: 'Iki-iki Terakoya,' 'Waku-waku Experience,' and 'Nobi-nobi After-school.' Currently, citizens and teachers volunteer to support these, but eventually, we hope to expand the Umine model to include elementary and junior high school students.
Bungo-takada has remained in the top three since the first ranking in 2013, achieving a top-three spot for 14 consecutive years—the only city in Japan to do so. This year marks the sixth consecutive year it has swept first place in every category, a national first.
The city has garnered national attention for its bold child-rearing support measures, such as making childcare, school tuition, meals, and medical expenses completely free from age zero through high school to combat population decline.
However, the key to retaining migrants and building a sustainable future for the town is the quality of the educational environment and the trust that 'children can expand their possibilities in this town.'
FoundingBase Inc. (Headquarters: Setagaya, Tokyo; CEO: Kenji Yamamoto), which co-creates regional development projects with 25 municipalities nationwide, operates 'Umine,' a 21st-century learning school for students of Takada High School, the only prefectural high school in the city. Umine is a public-private partnership (PPP) school aimed at enhancing the high school's appeal.
We looked back at the efforts of this 'Educational Co-creation' with the city, which produces results in 'academic improvement and career path realization' beyond economic support, together with Mr. Katsuhata, who has been involved in the operation of Umine since FY2022.
What is the Public-Private Cram School 'Umine'?
—Once again, what kind of place is Umine?
Katsuhata: Umine opened in 2022 with the goal of enhancing the appeal of Takada Prefectural High School so that it continues to be chosen by students from both within and outside the region.
In high school education, simultaneous lectures based on the curriculum are the norm, making it difficult to progress lessons according to each student's academic level or motivation. Umine provides 'supportive learning' where students set their own study plans and develop the ability to run on their own. By creating a system that supports basic academic improvement and inquiry-based learning to delve into areas of interest, Umine's role is to ensure Takada High School is chosen as a 'place where one can grow.'
5 Years of Performance and Student Changes in Numbers
—This is the fifth year of operation. What specific results have been achieved?
Katsuhata: Yes. In FY2025, the total number of students attending reached 114. This means about 30% of Takada High School students are attending Umine.
—Has there been a change in student awareness since the opening?
Katsuhata: When we opened, there were no public cram schools for high schoolers, only private ones. Initially, many students came because it was 'free.' However, in recent years, more students are attending with clear goals, such as 'overcoming weak subjects' or 'realizing career paths after graduation.' I feel that Umine is gradually becoming recognized by the town as a 'place people choose to attend.'
—The city also considers the university entrance rate a key metric. How were the entrance results for 2025?
Katsuhata: Umine established an 'Exam Course' and provides study curricula and exam preparation tailored to students' target universities, such as recommendation-based or common tests. In FY2025, 19 students secured spots at universities like Oita University and Kagoshima University, and others decided on employment, such as with the Oita Prefectural Government. Students are carving out their own paths with their own will.
Introducing Group-Individual Lessons for Steady Success
—The new school year has begun. Are there any new initiatives?
Katsuhata: Based on last year's results, we plan to introduce group-individual lessons this year. Having peers with the same goals nearby provides a moderate 'coercive force' for learning that is hard to maintain alone. At the same time, it allows instructors to efficiently check overall progress and provide precise advice on individual learning situations. By making group-individual lessons the core of our structure, we aim to ensure a high standard of 'quantity' and 'quality' of learning, leading students to their desired career goals.
—What are the prospects for next year and beyond?
Katsuhata: The efforts in learning support and career education through the partnership between Takada High School and Umine are showing results in improved test scores and university entrance rates. The city currently runs three projects for elementary and junior high students under the '21st Century Learning School' brand: 'Iki-iki Terakoya,' 'Waku-waku Experience,' and 'Nobi-nobi After-school.' Currently, citizens and teachers volunteer to support these, but eventually, we hope to expand the Umine model to include elementary and junior high school students.