Musashino University (Corporate: Koto Ward, Tokyo; President: Seiko Konishi) Associate Professor Shin Nakanishi of the Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences, along with 25 first- to fourth-year students from his seminar and other departments (planned), will participate in the "Nishitokyo City Wai Wai Talk" to be held from July 4, 2026.

The Wai Wai Talk, held in Nishitokyo City since fiscal year 2024, is an initiative to reflect children's voices in city administration. It has been held at our Musashino Campus (Shinmachi, Nishitokyo City) since its inception. As part of the activities of the Nakanishi Seminar, which researches juvenile delinquency and school social work practices with themes of child and family welfare and youth issues, we have been collaborating with the relevant departments of Nishitokyo City to develop the workshop content. This year's theme is "Places Where You Can Express Your Opinions," and our university students will support the operation of the workshop and guide campus tours.

[Workshop Overview]

Date and Time

(3 sessions total)

July 4, 2026 (Sat) 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

July 11, 2026 (Sat) 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

July 12, 2026 (Sun) 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Location

Musashino University Musashino Campus Building 5 (1-1-20 Shinmachi, Nishitokyo City, Tokyo)

*Please use public transportation when visiting.

* Approximately 10 minutes by bus from Mitaka/Musashisakai Station / Approximately 15 minutes by bus from Kichijoji Station, get off at "Musashino University"

* Approximately 5 minutes by bus from Tanashi Station, get off at "Shisei Gakusha Tokyo Mae" and walk 5 minutes

Target Audience

4th to 6th graders (approx. 20 students)

Junior high and high school students (up to 18 years old) (approx. 25 students)

*Applications for participation have closed.

*If you wish to cover this story, please contact the Public Relations Office.

Musashino University Corporate Management Planning Department Public Relations Office Mail: kouhou@musashino-u.ac.jp

[Workshop Content]

Schedule

Content

Day 1

July 4 (Sat)

* Let's get along with everyone in the group! (Includes campus tour)

* Learn about Nishitokyo City's initiatives to listen to children's voices.

* Share what you think are "situations where you can convey your thoughts."

Day 2

July 11 (Sat)

Group Work

(Discuss and summarize the good points and areas for improvement in Nishitokyo City's initiatives regarding conveying children's opinions and thoughts.)

Day 3

July 12 (Sun)

* Present what you discussed in your groups.

* Talk from the Mayor about the presentations.

* Certificate of Participation Award Ceremony.

[Post-Workshop Activities]

After the workshop, from September to October, participants will receive feedback from the city regarding their opinions. From October to November, participants and city officials will plan initiatives based on these opinions in sessions called "Strategy Meetings." In January of the following year, an exchange of opinions will be held with city officials regarding the entire Wai Wai Talk.

[Comments]

Ririka Miya, 4th Year Student, Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences

Having participated in the Wai Wai Talk in the year before last and last year, I feel that this activity is a very valuable opportunity for children to actually experience "expressing their opinions." By verbalizing what children feel and think about the city and understanding the process by which these are reflected in policies, they can gain a sense of "my opinion connects to society." Furthermore, I believe the significance of this activity lies in it being an opportunity to learn that one can create change in the community through their own actions.

I want to cherish the creation of an environment where children can express their opinions with peace of mind. I hope to provide support from the perspective of a university student, which is close to children, so that they can feel "it's okay to express my opinion" and "my opinion was accepted."

Asuka Takeuchi, 4th Year Student, Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences

I will cooperate with this event with the desire to make children realize that their opinions are important to adults. I hope this will be an opportunity for children to know that adults value their feelings and opinions, and to encourage them to honestly express even the smallest things in the future.

Saki Narutomi, 4th Year Student, Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences

I believe it is difficult to convey one's opinions to adults and the administration, even if one has many thoughts and opinions. As students, we will facilitate with respect for the participants so that the children who participate can express their opinions with peace of mind.

I would be happy if this becomes an opportunity for them to realize that their thoughts and opinions are very valuable and important, not only to themselves but also to the children around them and to adults.

Yuna Furuya, 4th Year Student, Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences

The Nishitokyo City Wai Wai Talk is a chance to reflect your voices in the city's initiatives! Following the annual theme, you can think about what would make our town better, what could be done if something were different, and convey it directly to the mayor. During the three-day event, you can also participate in a campus tour of Musashino University! You can also talk with Musashino University students, so elementary, junior high, and high school students who are even slightly interested in Musashino University are very welcome to participate!

Nana Yajima, 2nd Year Student, Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences

I want to cooperate with the event while being conscious of creating an environment where children can freely and confidently express their opinions. I also want to support better discussions by actively encouraging mutual respect for opinions and diverse perspectives.

I hope this will be an opportunity for children to become interested in the community where they live. Furthermore, by knowing that their opinions can be used in community development, I hope they will feel that they are also a part of the community, and that the community is not something built by adults alone, but by everyone.

Shin Nakanishi, Associate Professor, Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences

The students participating in the Nishitokyo City Wai Wai Talk (Children's Conference) are those who are currently deepening their studies in areas such as welfare related to schools, school social work, welfare related to children and families, prevention of child abuse, children's rights, and education. This time, by carefully listening to the stories of elementary, junior high, and high school students and interacting with administrative officials, they will become interested in Nishitokyo City and think about it together and cooperate. Many of my seminar students have expressed a desire to be involved in the practice of Wai Wai Talk, where children's opinions are respected and listened to, and they are working hard on the preparations for the day. I believe that thinking and summarizing opinions in groups is difficult, but it is a skill necessary for life in school, university, and eventually in society. I hope this will be an opportunity for them to think gradually.

[About Musashino University]

Musashino University Ariake Campus

In 1924, Musashino Women's College was established with the ideal of character education based on Buddhist principles. Succeeding Musashino Women's University, it was renamed Musashino University in 2003. Since becoming co-educational in 2004, the university has promoted reforms and developed into a comprehensive university with over 14,000 students, comprising 13 faculties, 21 departments, 14 graduate schools, and a correspondence division. In 2019, it established the Faculty of Data Science, the first of its kind among private universities in Japan. In 2021, it established the Faculty of Entrepreneurship, the first in Japan, and launched "Musashino INITIAL," a common foundation course for all students, making "AI Utilization" and "SDGs" compulsory subjects. In 2023, it established the Faculty of Sustainability, the first in Japan. In 2024, celebrating its 100th anniversary, it established the Faculty of Wellbeing, the first in the world. In 2026, it will establish the Faculty of International Data Science through its correspondence division, proposing a new form of learning for distance education. The university is advancing reforms to foster creative human resources for the future towards 2050.

Musashino University HP: https://www.musashino-u.ac.jp/

[Related Links]

Department of Social Welfare, Faculty of Human Sciences, Musashino University:

https://www.musashinou.ac.jp/academics/faculty/human_sciences/social_welfare/

From the Horizon of Scholarship, 60th Edition, Associate Professor Shin Nakanishi:

https://www.musashino-u.ac.jp/research/interview/60_nakanishi/

Nishitokyo City "Wai Wai Talk":

https://www.city.nishitokyo.lg.jp/event/kids_oyakomuke/waiwaitalk_sankashaboshu.html

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: Event