NIJIN Inc. to Host In-Person Event 'Junior High School Terace Summit 2026' on August 1, Gathering Junior High School Teachers Nationwide with the Theme of Transforming from Student Discipline (Control) to Student Support (Empowerment)

Junior High School Terace, an online community for junior high school teachers across Japan operated by NIJIN Inc. (headquartered in Koto City, Tokyo; CEO: Tatsuro Hoshino), will host an in-person seminar themed on shifting from student discipline (Control) to student support (Empowerment) on August 1, 2026, in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

The event is co-organized by the Minato City Industrial Revitalization Center.

Event details and registration URL: https://peatix.com/event/5040399

Background of the Event

Fragmentation due to subject-based teaching systems, heavy burdens from extracurricular activities, and increasingly complex and sophisticated student guidance challenges—

Junior high school education in Japan operates within one of the toughest structural environments in the public education system.

While strict enforcement of rules and control-based guidance may appear efficient at first glance, it ultimately creates student dependency, fosters issues such as non-attendance and behavioral problems, and ultimately leads to a "negative cycle" that further overburdens teachers.

Therefore, what is needed now is not simply relying on teachers' perseverance.

What is required is a shift from student discipline (Control) to student support (Empowerment).

The 'Junior High School Terace Summit 2026' will bring together educators who have driven internal transformation within Japan's school systems, alongside teachers from across the country who are actively implementing such practices. This event will serve as an intensive space to share concrete roadmaps and collaboratively explore solutions.

We aim to host a practical strategy session that empowers you to become a "change leader" in your own staff room starting tomorrow.

Event Details

【Date and Time】 August 1, 2026 (Sat) 12:30–16:30

【Program】

12:00– Entry and registration 12:20– Opening remarks by Ao no, Representative, Junior High School Terace

12:30– Program 1

"Making the School Happy" – How joyful organizations create the best student support

Facilitator: Masaharu Sumita (Former Public School Principal / School Operations Improvement Advisor)

13:40– Program 2

Practice and Validation: "Transformation of Students" Pitch Presentation Contest – The four-minute miracle

When control through authority is released, how did students and schools begin to move forward independently?

Commentators: Masaharu Sumita, Makiko Mori, and Miki Hamada (Kataryba)

15:20– Program 3

Panel Discussion Rethinking the Future of "Student Support" – A Roundtable to Update the Staff Room!

An open strategy session on how to make student support a cultural norm

Speakers: Masaharu Sumita × Makiko Mori × Miki Hamada (Kataryba) × Junior High School Terace Operations Team

Moderator: Ao no

16:10–16:30 Reflection and Closing

17:30– Networking event (optional, limited to 20 participants) Note: Please register for the networking event ticket if interested.

Highlights of the Seminar

We have invited Mr. Sumita and Ms. Mori, both experienced in reforming schools as educational leaders, to explore together with participants what student guidance should look like in this new era.

During the roundtable discussion, Ms. Hamada from Kataryba—a nonprofit organization that collaborates with junior and senior high school students nationwide on "rule-making" initiatives—will join us. Together, we will spend the day exploring how student guidance should evolve to realize Junior High School Terace's vision of making junior high schools "freer and more enjoyable," and what steps are necessary to transform student guidance into student support.

Speaker Profiles

Mr. Masaharu Sumita

Former Public School Principal / School Operations Improvement Advisor

Born in Kyoto in 1958, raised in Shimane Prefecture. Graduated from Tamagawa University. Served for 42 years across seven elementary schools in Yokohama City, including three years as vice principal and 12 years as principal. Since 2022, has held his current position. During his tenure as vice principal and principal, he engaged in UNESCO Schools and ESD initiatives, gaining national recognition for creating vibrant schools. After publishing "Creating Colorful Schools" (Gakubunsha, 2019), he received numerous speaking and writing invitations nationwide, becoming widely known as an unconventional principal.

Publications: "Management by Delegating" (Gakuyosho, 2021), "Creating Schools Where Young Teachers Grow Without Giving Instructions" (Meiji Tosho Publishing, 2022), "How to Raise Capable Middle Leaders" (Gakuyosho, 2022), "Principal, Are You Happy?" (Educational Development Research Institute, 2023)

Ms. Makiko Mori

Former Principal of a Public Junior High School in Hokkaido

Born in Hokkaido. Graduated from the Special Education Teacher Training Program at Hokkaido University of Education. Served as an art teacher at junior high schools in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, and Otaru City, Hokkaido. After serving as vice principal for seven years, she became principal at two schools and retired upon reaching retirement age in March 2023. Disliking precedent-following and peer pressure, she boldly pushed forward reforms whenever she believed "this way might work better," earning her the nickname "Bulldozer Makiko."

Current Activities: Active in writing and nationwide lectures; serves as School DX Strategy Advisor at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2023–present), CS Master at MEXT (2024–present), and Vice Chair of the Aomori Prefecture Education Reform Expert Committee.

Publications: Regular contributor to Nihon Kyoiku Shinbun, Gessan Kyo-shoku Kenkyu (Monthly Teacher Training), Minna no Kyoiku Gijutsu (Everyone's Educational Techniques), Shukan Kyoiku Shiryō (Weekly Educational Materials). Also writes columns under the pen name "Nekoyama Tabiko" for Hokkaido Shimbun and other publications. Books: 2021, September: "Connecting Schools and Society" (Gakujishuppan) 2022, March: "Principal's Challenge" (Educational Development Research Institute) Solo Author: 2024, January: "Welcome to Schools Where Children Are the Subject" 2025, December: Co-authored book on non-attendance scheduled for publication

Miki Hamada Staff member, Certified NPO Kataryba – "Everyone's Rule-Making" Project

Born in Tokyo in 1993. Holds a Master's degree in Education. As an undergraduate, she became involved in civic education activities when the debate on lowering the voting age began. After conducting graduate research, she served as a board member of a civic education organization while working at a private HR consulting firm. Driven by a growing desire to increase the number of people who believe "rather than enduring hardship collectively, we should take initiative to change our own environment," she joined Certified NPO Kataryba, which works on rule-making initiatives within schools as a social space familiar to children. Currently, she coordinates municipal collaborations, rule-making activities, and serves as a training facilitator.

Event Overview

Event Name: "Junior High School Terace Summit 2026" – Transforming from Student Discipline (Control) to Student Support (Empowerment)

Date and Time: August 1, 2026 (Sat) 12:30–17:30

Format: In-person seminar

Venue: Minato City Industrial Revitalization Center

Target Audience: Junior high school teachers, education professionals, junior and senior high school students, and anyone interested in education

Participation Fee: 2,000 JPY / Early bird 1,500 JPY / Free for Junior High School Terace members

Organizer: Junior High School Terace (NIJIN Inc.)

Registration: Please register via the Peatix page: https://peatix.com/event/5040399

Junior High School Terace Website: https://msterrace.nijin.co.jp/

Junior High School Terace

Making all junior high schools in Japan HAPPY. We are a community of like-minded individuals who share this vision. This salon exists to connect, learn from, and inspire action among passionate educators across Japan. Our mission is to explore nationwide what it means for students and teachers to thrive in a happy junior high school environment.

NIJIN Inc.

A "JAPAN EDUCATION COMPANY" that aims to solve educational challenges through systemic innovation, guided by the philosophy "Illuminating the Nation through Education." Founder Tatsuro Hoshino, a former elementary school teacher, established the company in April 2022, sensing a national crisis in the large number of children unable to express their true selves in today's schools. Our goal is to create a society where everyone can have hope in education. We currently operate 13 initiatives (businesses) addressing various educational issues such as non-attendance, teacher shortages, teacher working conditions, and the future of schools.

Company Name: NIJIN Inc.

Headquarters: 2-5-5 Tokiwa, Koto City, Tokyo

Established: April 1, 2022

Representative: Tatsuro Hoshino

Business Activities: Educational initiatives that solve educational challenges through systemic innovation (teacher training, support for non-attendance, entrepreneurship support, educational events, after-school programs)

URL: https://nijin.co.jp/