"Truancy is a Talent": Hamamatsu Entrepreneur and Children Envision Social Co-creation in Education

NIJIN Academy, an alternative school with over 700 truant elementary and junior high school students from across Japan (operated by NIJIN Co., Ltd., Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Tatsuro Hoshino), is promoting a social co-creation project with Magic Shields Co., Ltd., a startup that develops "Koroyawa" flooring to reduce fractures from falls (Headquarters: Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Representative Director: Akira Shimomura). We will announce the results of the "field trip" conducted in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture in March 2026, and a new educational model where regional startups and educational institutions collaborate, at "EDIX (Education Comprehensive Exhibition) Tokyo," Japan's largest education exhibition, to be held at Tokyo Big Sight on May 14, 2026. ◼️ "You can be useful to society" -- The President's words changed the children The setting for this field trip was Magic Shields, a company aiming to eliminate fall-related fractures in the elderly. Although the children were initially nervous, their expressions dramatically changed after hearing President Shimomura's straightforward words: "Startups and truants are allies challenging things no one else has done yet," and "Your free sensibilities can be the power to save society." 【Real voices and changes of the children】 "I used to think I was useless because I couldn't go to school, but I realized there's a place where I can be useful to society." "I was overwhelmed by the passion of adults trying to change the world. I want to create something too." 【President Shimomura of Magic Shields' thoughts】 "I was surprised by the sharpness of the children's questions. Unconstrained by preconceived notions, they are the innovators of the future. I am convinced that education and startups can grow together by mixing." ◼️ Why announce at "EDIX," Japan's largest education exhibition? EDIX (Education Comprehensive Exhibition) is Japan's largest platform, gathering tens of thousands of education professionals from across the country. 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 pilot projects in the education field. *Click here for details. As the number of truant students continues to hit record highs, our goal is not "to return them to school." As demonstrated by our collaboration with Magic Shields, "experiences needed on the forefront of society" are what give children the energy to live. We propose this new educational option to education professionals nationwide. Date: May 15, 2026 (Friday) 12:00~ Location: NIJIN Academy booth within the EDIX venue *Click here for the timetable. ＼Invitation to the NIJIN Academy booth!／ Click here for free registration for invited visitors. 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," "interactive lessons by top-tier teachers," and "child-led projects" as the pillars of its curriculum, it aims to create a future where not being able to go to school does not lead to inferiority or guilt, and all children can have hope. As an alternative learning option to school, over 90%* of students who wish to do so acquire 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 problems from a systemic approach with the philosophy of "illuminating the country through education." Tatsuro Hoshino, a former elementary school teacher, founded the company in April 2022, feeling a national crisis that too many children cannot express themselves in current schools, aiming to make Japan 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 role of schools. Company Name: NIJIN Co., Ltd. Location: 2-5-5 Tokiwa, Koto-ku, Tokyo Established: April 1, 2022 Representative: Tatsuro Hoshino Business Content: Education business solving educational problems from a systemic approach (teacher training, truancy support, entrepreneurship support, educational events, after-school programs). URL: https://nijin.co.jp/ Keywords: