Truant Elementary and Junior High School Students Engage in Corporate and Regional Revitalization - NIJIN Academy to Exhibit at 'EDIX Tokyo 2026'! Children and Employees Jointly Announce Co-creation Project with JR East Startup Co., Ltd.

NIJIN Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Tatsuro Hoshino), which operates the alternative school "NIJIN Academy," will exhibit at the Education General Exhibition EDIX and announce the results of its co-creation project with JR East Startup Co., Ltd. The theme of this project is the "Regional Study Project to Make Stations and Regions Learning Hubs." In collaboration with JR East Startup Co., Ltd., children have consistently engaged in addressing real regional issues, from research and planning to dissemination. On the day of the event, the children themselves will take the stage with company representatives to present on the practice and potential of inquiry-based learning set in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture. ◼️ About the Co-creation Project with JR East Startup Co., Ltd. In this project, in collaboration with JR East Startup Co., Ltd., an inquiry-based program is implemented that treats the region itself as a "learning campus." Children actually visit the region, conducting historical research on stations, analyzing tourism issues, interviewing local businesses, experiencing agriculture, and exploring local culture, engaging in practices that "transform regional issues into learning." For example, in Minakami Town, Gunma Prefecture, children are working on analyzing factors contributing to the decline in tourists and promoting the appeal of regional resources, driving projects where they themselves consider the future of the region. ◼️ What is EDIX (Education General Exhibition)? EDIX (Education General Exhibition) is Japan's largest exhibition connecting the education industry with businesses. In addition to schools, local governments, and education businesses, many companies interested in new businesses, human resource development, and regional revitalization also attend, creating opportunities for co-creation and demonstration experiments in the education sector. *Click here for details On the day of EDIX, as a result of the co-creation project, the children themselves will take the initiative to present alongside employees of JR East Startup Co., Ltd. The presentation will cover the process of regional inquiry, how children perceive regional issues, and the value of connecting learning with society. Date: May 13, 2026 (Wednesday) 14:00~ Location: NIJIN Academy Booth within the Education General Exhibition EDIX venue *Click here for the timetable ＼Invitation to the NIJIN Academy Booth!／ Click here for free registration for invited visitors ◼️ Significance of Co-creation This initiative is a new educational model that integrates education × regional revitalization × corporate collaboration. ① For children: Real-world learning connected to society ② For regions: Creation of related populations and problem-solving ③ For companies: Nurturing the next generation and creating new value This creates a "Sanpo Yoshi" (three-way satisfaction) value. Furthermore, by having children themselves disseminate information, it fosters affection for the region and creates opportunities for re-visitation, contributing to sustainable regional revitalization. NIJIN Academy An alternative school for truant elementary and junior high school students opened in September 2023, with over 700 students enrolled from more than 40 prefectures nationwide. With "multi-layered psychological safety," "dialogic classes by top-tier teachers," and "child-led projects" as its curriculum pillars, it aims to create a future where all children can have hope, without feeling inferiority or guilt for not being able to attend school. As an alternative learning option to traditional schools, over 90%* of students who wish to do so obtain attendance recognition from their enrolled schools. *As of April 2026 School HP: https://academy.nijin.co.jp NIJIN Co., Ltd. "JAPAN EDUCATION COMPANY" that solves educational issues from a systemic perspective, with the philosophy of "illuminating the nation through education." Feeling a national crisis due to too many children unable to express themselves in current schools, Tatsuro Hoshino, a former elementary school teacher, founded the company in April 2022 to create a country where everyone can have "hope" in education. It develops 13 mechanisms (businesses) to solve various educational problems such as truancy, teacher shortages, teacher work styles, and the ideal form of schools. Company Name: NIJIN Co., Ltd. Location: 2-5-5 Tokiwa, Koto-ku, Tokyo Established: April 1, 2022 Representative: Tatsuro Hoshino Business Description: Educational business that solves educational issues from a systemic perspective (teacher training, truancy support, entrepreneurship support, educational events, after-school programs) URL: https://nijin.co.jp/