Edogawa Gakuen Toride High School to Introduce "Jibunal" from April 2026, Leading MEXT's "N-E.X.T. High School Concept" with an Inquiry-Based Curriculum

Hamartinix Inc. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Nobuhiro Hama; hereinafter "the Company"), which operates "Jibunal," a business school for junior and senior high school students, announces that it has been commissioned to design the curriculum and operate classes for the two-year integrated "Business Track" within the General Inquiry and Science Inquiry programs, to be launched in April 2026 at Edogawa Gakuen Toride High School (Location: Toride City, Ibaraki Prefecture; hereinafter "Edotori High School"), operated by Edogawa Gakuen.

■ Background

The "N-E.X.T. High School Concept(*)" announced by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in February 2026 emphasizes the importance of "supporting self-realization by leveraging learning tailored to each student's diverse individuality, needs, interests, and expanding their potential and developing their abilities." In response to this background, Edotori High School will divide its General Inquiry program into four tracks starting in the 2026 academic year: "Academic Thesis," "Business Inquiry," "Video Creation," and "Global Inquiry." This initiative aims to create an environment where students can proactively choose courses and learn autonomously.

For the adoption of this program, "Jibunal," the business school for junior and senior high school students operated by our company, will be fully responsible for the curriculum design and operation of the "Business Inquiry" track among the four tracks. Our unique educational method, which starts with "questions" cultivated at "Jibunal," and our proven track record in fostering the autonomy of junior and senior high school students, were highly evaluated. We will work together to realize Edotori High School's new form of education as an educational model that resolves the conventional challenge of "lack of continuity across grades" in inquiry-based learning and supports consistent growth over two years.

(*) Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology "Basic Policy on High School Education Reform (Grand Design) ~"N-E.X.T. High School Concept" towards 2040~"https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20260213-mxt_koukou01-000046079_03.pdf

■ Program Features

1. "Externally Connected" Education by Professional Practitioners

Classes for the "Business Inquiry" track will be taught by professional instructors who teach at business schools and are active on the front lines of the real world. By bringing the perspective from the forefront of society into the classroom, transcending the framework of the school, we maximize students' intellectual curiosity and accelerate the implementation of business knowledge.

2. "Two-Tiered" Design to Refine Life's Compass

In the "Business Inquiry" track, students will cultivate "the ability to live authentically" and "the ability to create value (earn)" over two years through online classes.

・Year 1: Acquire business "forms (CAN)": Systematically learn four areas: critical thinking, marketing, accounting, and leadership. Install concrete "weapons" for navigating society.

・Year 2: Connect with society and deepen "aspirations (WANT)": Use acquired skills to connect societal needs (NEED) with personal aspirations (WANT). Deepen self-understanding and build a foundation for future career choices and career formation.

3. Challenge to Business Plan Contests

This track also supports opportunities for output beyond classroom learning. Students who wish to do so will aim to participate in various "Business Plan Contests," and the professional instructors responsible for the "Business Inquiry" track will provide feedback on students' business ideas. Through the process of presenting their concepts to society, students will cultivate solid practical skills and a sense of responsibility.

■Three Values This Program Brings to the Educational Field

1. Cultivation of Entrepreneurial Spirit

   By learning the mechanisms of business, students will develop an attitude of challenging without fear of failure and collaborating with others to create new value.

2. Realization of Sustainable Inquiry-Based Learning

   By outsourcing specialized business areas, teachers can concentrate on supporting and evaluating students, maintaining educational quality while reducing the burden on the field.

3. Diverse Contributions to University Admission Results

   The two-year advanced inquiry process will support the acquisition of "proactiveness," "logical expression skills," and "specialization (business domain)" required for university entrance examinations (e.g., comprehensive selection).

■Comment from Mr. Atsushi Kumashiro, Head of Career Support Department, Edotori High School

In an unpredictable era, it is an urgent task for our school to foster students' ability to proactively choose their career paths and learn autonomously. My long-held desire to provide the "thinking tools" I gained at business school in the optimal form to our students and to nurture the next generation of leaders has taken shape through this business alliance with Hamartinix Inc.

I am confident that this two-tiered curriculum, where students learn the "forms" of business in the first year and sublimate their "aspirations" into a business plan in the second year, will be a solid foundation for expanding students' potential. I expect that the high-quality stimulation provided through classes by professional instructors will serve as an opportunity to refine each student's life compass.

■Comment from Mr. Nobuhiro Hama, Representative Director of Our Company

We are honored to participate as a partner in Edotori's advanced initiative, which embodies MEXT's "N-E.X.T. High School Concept." We believe that Jibunal's education, which cultivates "the ability to live authentically" and "the ability to earn," will be necessary in high schools nationwide in the future. Our company aims to widely provide this curriculum to high schools that share the same aspirations as Edotori.

As a pioneer, we will first work closely with Edotori teachers to ensure high-quality class operations so that Edotori students can gain a tangible sense of learning that allows them to carve out their own future.

■ Company Overview

Hamartinix Inc.

Representative: Representative Director and President Nobuhiro Hama

Location: Ota-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: Operation of "Jibunal," a career education business for junior and senior high school students, management consulting

URL: https://www.hamartinix.co.jp/