Nenrin Kids Selected as Model Project by Children and Families Agency

West Japan Railway Company (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Shoji Kurasaka; hereinafter 'JR West') and hab Inc. (Headquarters: Yokohama; President: Yohei Toyota; hereinafter 'hab') are pleased to announce that the jointly operated elementary school station-based childcare facility 'Nenrin Kids JR Shijō Station' on the JR Gakkentoshi Line has been selected for the Children and Families Agency's FY2026 'Model Project for Building Childcare Functions Utilizing Corporate Vitality'.

1. Overview of Model Project Selection

This project is implemented by the Children and Families Agency to examine ways to utilize private sector vitality for elementary school childcare functions, against the background of the shortage of after-school children's clubs. Our company applied under the title 'Community Co-creation Type Station-based Childcare Facility Utilizing Station Hubs and Regional Experience Assets: Nenrin Kids' and was selected.

This project, which won the grand prize in JR West Group's new business co-creation program 'Bernal', utilizes the station space at JR Shijō Station and aims to build a new after-school model by providing experience programs co-created with local universities, high schools, and companies at the childcare facility operated by hab.

Outline of Selected Project

Project Name: Community Co-creation Type Station-based Childcare Facility Utilizing Station Hubs and Regional Experience Assets: Nenrin Kids

Implementing Entity: West Japan Railway Company

Operation Contractor: hab Inc.

Facility Location: JR Gakkentoshi Line, Shijō Station, 2nd floor

Target: 1st to 3rd grade elementary school students

Project Period: FY2026

2. Features of Nenrin Kids

Nenrin Kids is a station-based after-school school leveraging the convenience of direct connection to JR Shijō Station. In addition to childcare, it offers a variety of experience programs co-created with local partners.

[Services Provided]

Nenrin Kids (Station-based After-school Childcare Service)

Reliable childcare service including pickup from elementary school, homework support, snacks, and accompaniment to extracurricular activities. Official HP of Nenrin Kids

Nenrin Class (Station-based Lesson Hub)

Specialist-led lessons such as 'Brain Training Gymnastics' based on functional neurology, and 'English' taught by instructors with nursery teacher qualifications and foreign teachers. Official HP of Nenrin Class

Nenrin Wonder (Outing and Event Program)

Monthly experiences that parents alone cannot provide, such as career experiences at JR West Group railway facilities and Kansai International Airport, exchanges with local universities and high schools, and manufacturing workshops. Official HP of Nenrin Wonder

3. Summer School Recruitment

Nenrin Kids will hold a summer school as a special summer plan from Monday, July 13, 2026 to Sunday, August 31, 2026. In addition to regular childcare, special summer-only programs such as a behind-the-scenes tour of Kansai International Airport and a woodworking workshop are available.

[Summer School Overview]

Period: Monday, July 13, 2026 – Sunday, August 31, 2026

Target: 1st to 3rd grade elementary school students

Venue: Nenrin Kids JR Shijō Station (JR Gakkentoshi Line, Shijō Station, 2nd floor)

[Special Summer Programs (Partial)]

Kansai International Airport × JR Kansai Airport Station Behind-the-Scenes Exploration Tour (July)

CM Creation Workshop with Top Creators (July)

Operate Real Equipment! JR West Employee Training Center

*Programs are subject to addition.

Details and application for summer school here

4. Future Development

Through this model project, JR West and hab will verify the ideal way of station-based elementary school childcare functions and aim to expand experience programs co-created with local educational institutions and companies. Based on the results of this project, we will consider the possibility of expansion to other stations and regions.

[Inquiries] hab Inc. info@nenrinkids.jp

[About the Nenrin Project] The Nenrin Project is a child-rearing support project jointly operated by hab Inc. and JR West Group. Based at JR Shijō Station, it offers three services: Nenrin Kids (childcare), Nenrin Class (lessons), and Nenrin Wonder (experiences and outings).