NIJIN Academy to Exhibit at EDIX Tokyo 2026: Unveiling a New Metaverse-Based Non-Attendance Support Model with Chiryu City
NIJIN Academy, an alternative school utilizing the metaverse, will present its successful partnership with Chiryu City at EDIX Tokyo 2026, showcasing how digital environments foster student autonomy and social connection.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 19:10
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NIJIN Academy, an alternative school operated by NIJIN Inc. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tatsuro Hoshino), will exhibit at the comprehensive education exhibition 'EDIX Tokyo 2026' to present practical examples of non-attendance support in collaboration with Chiryu City, Aichi Prefecture.
The presentation will focus on the theme of how student-centered learning is born and connected to society, introducing a new educational model realized through collaboration with local governments.
### Collaboration with Chiryu City: New Learning Beginning in the Metaverse
In September 2025, the Chiryu City Board of Education and NIJIN Academy launched a new initiative for elementary and junior high school students in the city who are not attending school. The program utilizes NIJIN Academy's 'Metaverse Campus,' creating an environment where children who find it difficult to attend physical schools or education support centers can connect with people and participate in learning from home.
In the metaverse space, students engage in more than just attending classes; they communicate with peers, share their interests, and launch their own projects at their own pace.
### The 'Field Trip' Planned by a Child: The Moment Subjectivity is Born
During this initiative, a child's remark sparked a new challenge: 'There was a field trip at school, so maybe I'll try doing one myself.' This led to a student-planned field trip project. The student considered the destination, schedule, invited peers, and created a guidebook. Despite initial anxiety, the field trip was successfully realized with smiles all around. Afterward, the student expressed a desire to do it again, marking a moment where 'wanting to try' turned into 'I can do it.'
### Support Beyond Just 'Returning to School'
Chiryu City values support that does not make 'returning to school' the sole goal. The foundation is first to connect with people and then to gain experience in giving shape to small 'wants.' By having administration, education, and the private sector collaborate to support these proactive steps, they nurture the foundation for students to reconnect with society.
### Presentation and Public Q&A at EDIX Tokyo 2026
EDIX is Japan's largest exhibition connecting the education industry and companies. On the day, there will be a presentation by the Chiryu City Board of Education and a public Q&A session on municipal collaboration. Practitioners will share insights on the implementation process, challenges, and real-world operations.
**Presentation Details:**
- Date: May 14, 2026 (Thursday) 11:30-12:00
- Venue: NIJIN Academy Booth, EDIX Tokyo 2026
### Significance of Co-creation
This initiative is a new model merging education, municipal cooperation, and digital (metaverse) technology. It creates value for children (subjective learning from home), municipalities (new support options for hard-to-reach children), and society (nurturing human resources for future independence).
**About NIJIN Academy:**
An alternative school for non-attending students opened in September 2023, with over 700 students from more than 40 prefectures. It focuses on psychological safety and interactive lessons. Over 90% of students seeking attendance recognition have successfully obtained it from their registered schools.
The presentation will focus on the theme of how student-centered learning is born and connected to society, introducing a new educational model realized through collaboration with local governments.
### Collaboration with Chiryu City: New Learning Beginning in the Metaverse
In September 2025, the Chiryu City Board of Education and NIJIN Academy launched a new initiative for elementary and junior high school students in the city who are not attending school. The program utilizes NIJIN Academy's 'Metaverse Campus,' creating an environment where children who find it difficult to attend physical schools or education support centers can connect with people and participate in learning from home.
In the metaverse space, students engage in more than just attending classes; they communicate with peers, share their interests, and launch their own projects at their own pace.
### The 'Field Trip' Planned by a Child: The Moment Subjectivity is Born
During this initiative, a child's remark sparked a new challenge: 'There was a field trip at school, so maybe I'll try doing one myself.' This led to a student-planned field trip project. The student considered the destination, schedule, invited peers, and created a guidebook. Despite initial anxiety, the field trip was successfully realized with smiles all around. Afterward, the student expressed a desire to do it again, marking a moment where 'wanting to try' turned into 'I can do it.'
### Support Beyond Just 'Returning to School'
Chiryu City values support that does not make 'returning to school' the sole goal. The foundation is first to connect with people and then to gain experience in giving shape to small 'wants.' By having administration, education, and the private sector collaborate to support these proactive steps, they nurture the foundation for students to reconnect with society.
### Presentation and Public Q&A at EDIX Tokyo 2026
EDIX is Japan's largest exhibition connecting the education industry and companies. On the day, there will be a presentation by the Chiryu City Board of Education and a public Q&A session on municipal collaboration. Practitioners will share insights on the implementation process, challenges, and real-world operations.
**Presentation Details:**
- Date: May 14, 2026 (Thursday) 11:30-12:00
- Venue: NIJIN Academy Booth, EDIX Tokyo 2026
### Significance of Co-creation
This initiative is a new model merging education, municipal cooperation, and digital (metaverse) technology. It creates value for children (subjective learning from home), municipalities (new support options for hard-to-reach children), and society (nurturing human resources for future independence).
**About NIJIN Academy:**
An alternative school for non-attending students opened in September 2023, with over 700 students from more than 40 prefectures. It focuses on psychological safety and interactive lessons. Over 90% of students seeking attendance recognition have successfully obtained it from their registered schools.