Thinking about the Future of Rice Paddies with Children. NIJIN Academy Project Holds Rice Planting Experience x Regional Issue Exploration in Togane City
The NIJIN Academy Project is hosting a four-part project in Togane City starting May 15, 2025, for elementary school students. This initiative combines a rice planting experience with an exploration of regional challenges, aiming to engage children in addressing the issue of declining agricultural workers and increasing abandoned farmland.
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The NIJIN Academy Project (operated by NIJIN Inc. / Location: Koto-ku, Tokyo / Representative: Tatsuro Hoshino) will hold a project for elementary school students, combining a rice planting experience with regional issue exploration, titled "Protect the Rice Paddies! Rice Planting Experience x Regional Issue Exploration Project," starting May 15, 2025, for a total of four sessions in Togane City.
■ Project Background: Thinking about "Fewer people working in rice paddies" through the power of children
In Togane City, Chiba Prefecture, and across Japan, the aging of agricultural workers is progressing, leading to an increase in abandoned cultivated land. Rice paddies are not merely places for food production; they play a vital role in supporting the local natural environment and livelihoods, including water conservation, ecosystem maintenance, and flood prevention.
NIJIN Academy Togane School planned this project to create a space where children, who will bear the next generation, can experience, think about, and express solutions to this regional issue as "their own problem," rather than leaving it as "an adult-only problem."
■ Three things gained from this project
【Real Agricultural Experience】
By actually entering the rice paddies and experiencing rice planting, children can feel the reality of agriculture firsthand, something that cannot be learned from textbooks.
【Awareness of Regional Issues】
Children will have the opportunity to delve deeper into "why fewer people are working in rice paddies" and gain insights into the current state of the region.
【Ability to Think of Solutions】
Everyone will brainstorm ideas on "how to continue rice farming" and present them in the final session. This will foster their ability to think and communicate.
■ Event Schedule
Session 1: May 16, 2025 (Saturday)
Theme: Rice Planting Experience
Content: Actually entering the rice paddies and experiencing rice planting. Experiencing the "reality of agriculture" through conversations with farmers.
*Time and meeting place will be communicated after application. Location: Within Togane City.
Session 2: May 22, 2025 (Thursday) 15:30-17:00
Theme: Discovering Challenges
Content: Reflecting on the experience and delving deeper into "why fewer people are working in rice paddies."
Session 3: May 29, 2025 (Thursday) 15:30-17:00
Theme: Exploring Solutions
Content: Brainstorming ideas on "how to continue rice farming" and thinking about solutions together.
Session 4: June 5, 2025 (Thursday) 15:30-17:00
Theme: Presentation and Proposal
Content: Children will present the solutions they have considered. Delivering children's voices for the future of the region.
■ Event Overview
Date: Starting May 15, 2025 (Thursday) - Total 4 sessions
Venue: Within Togane City (Details will be communicated after application)
Participation Fee: Free
Target Audience: Elementary school students
Capacity: Limited number
Application Method: Purchase free tickets via Peatix
*https://peatix.com/event/4989486
■ Hosted by: NIJIN Academy Project (NIJIN Inc.)
The NIJIN Academy Project is an educational institution where children's individuality shines, based on the educational philosophy of "Be HAPPY, Do HAPPY - Every child has the power to be happy and to make others happy." Over 700 children from more than 42 prefectures nationwide participate.
NIJIN Academy Togane School
Location: Togane City, Chiba Prefecture
HP: https://project.nijin.co.jp/
■ Inquiries regarding this matter
NIJIN Academy Togane School, Contact Person: Sato
■ Project Background: Thinking about "Fewer people working in rice paddies" through the power of children
In Togane City, Chiba Prefecture, and across Japan, the aging of agricultural workers is progressing, leading to an increase in abandoned cultivated land. Rice paddies are not merely places for food production; they play a vital role in supporting the local natural environment and livelihoods, including water conservation, ecosystem maintenance, and flood prevention.
NIJIN Academy Togane School planned this project to create a space where children, who will bear the next generation, can experience, think about, and express solutions to this regional issue as "their own problem," rather than leaving it as "an adult-only problem."
■ Three things gained from this project
【Real Agricultural Experience】
By actually entering the rice paddies and experiencing rice planting, children can feel the reality of agriculture firsthand, something that cannot be learned from textbooks.
【Awareness of Regional Issues】
Children will have the opportunity to delve deeper into "why fewer people are working in rice paddies" and gain insights into the current state of the region.
【Ability to Think of Solutions】
Everyone will brainstorm ideas on "how to continue rice farming" and present them in the final session. This will foster their ability to think and communicate.
■ Event Schedule
Session 1: May 16, 2025 (Saturday)
Theme: Rice Planting Experience
Content: Actually entering the rice paddies and experiencing rice planting. Experiencing the "reality of agriculture" through conversations with farmers.
*Time and meeting place will be communicated after application. Location: Within Togane City.
Session 2: May 22, 2025 (Thursday) 15:30-17:00
Theme: Discovering Challenges
Content: Reflecting on the experience and delving deeper into "why fewer people are working in rice paddies."
Session 3: May 29, 2025 (Thursday) 15:30-17:00
Theme: Exploring Solutions
Content: Brainstorming ideas on "how to continue rice farming" and thinking about solutions together.
Session 4: June 5, 2025 (Thursday) 15:30-17:00
Theme: Presentation and Proposal
Content: Children will present the solutions they have considered. Delivering children's voices for the future of the region.
■ Event Overview
Date: Starting May 15, 2025 (Thursday) - Total 4 sessions
Venue: Within Togane City (Details will be communicated after application)
Participation Fee: Free
Target Audience: Elementary school students
Capacity: Limited number
Application Method: Purchase free tickets via Peatix
*https://peatix.com/event/4989486
■ Hosted by: NIJIN Academy Project (NIJIN Inc.)
The NIJIN Academy Project is an educational institution where children's individuality shines, based on the educational philosophy of "Be HAPPY, Do HAPPY - Every child has the power to be happy and to make others happy." Over 700 children from more than 42 prefectures nationwide participate.
NIJIN Academy Togane School
Location: Togane City, Chiba Prefecture
HP: https://project.nijin.co.jp/
■ Inquiries regarding this matter
NIJIN Academy Togane School, Contact Person: Sato