Nitobe Bunka School Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for "Future School" Film with a Goal of 10 Million Yen - Aiming for a Future Where "Schools You Want to Go to on Mondays" Spread Across Japan -

We are seeking support with a goal of 10 million yen, starting today, July 1, 2026 (Wednesday), until September 29 (Tuesday).

Project URL: https://readyfor.jp/projects/nitobebunka-movie01

"The Lamp That Lights Up School"

This is the title of the film.

"The light that touches the heart never fades."

It depicts the real lives of students as they find their inner light, the feelings of the teachers, and how it is perceived by parents.

Upon his appointment, Principal Inazo Nitobe left the following in his "Rules for Faculty and Staff" written for the teachers:

"In teaching, strive to cultivate thoughtfulness and judgment, not solely focusing on intellectual education."

This educational philosophy, which has been central to the school since its founding, emphasizes the importance of children's thinking and decision-making, rather than just rote memorization. It strongly resonates with the modern Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's emphasis on "thinking, judgment, and expression skills."

Furthermore, keywords such as "inquiry," "space," "passion," and "strengths," which the school has long valued, are also visible in the next curriculum guidelines currently under discussion.

We sincerely hope that people across Japan will watch this film as a reference for what a "future school" might look like.

Filmmaking requires significant cost and effort.

We earnestly wish to create a work that instills hope for the future of Japanese education with your support.

We aim to screen the film during the 2027 academic year.

Thank you for your support!!

Crowdfunding Project Overview

Title: Nitobe Bunka School | We want to create a film that contemplates and spreads the "future school" with everyone.

Fundraising Goal: 10 million yen

Use of Funds: Production costs for the documentary film "The Lamp That Lights Up School" and public screening activities to promote it nationwide.

Fundraising Period: July 1, 2026 (Wednesday) 9:00 AM to September 29, 2026 (Tuesday) 11:00 PM [90 days]

Project URL: https://readyfor.jp/projects/nitobebunka-movie01

Format: Donation-deductible / All-in method

*The All-in method allows the project to receive all funds raised, regardless of whether the target amount is reached.

- Gifts: 20 courses ranging from 10,000 yen to 5 million yen.

Includes "Herbaloy Collaboration Notebook," "Donation Receipt Certificate," "Thank You Message," "Invitation to Premium Preview Screening," etc.

【Details and Support】 Please check on the crowdfunding service "READYFOR" here.

Nitobe Bunka School, Chairman of the Board, Kuniyasu Hiraiwa

Message

From Kuniyasu Hiraiwa, Chairman of the Board, Nitobe Bunka School

"I want to create a school that brings happiness to all of Japan."

This is a heartfelt wish I expressed when I took office as Chairman.

Japanese schools are currently at a major turning point.

"Things cannot continue as they are."

I believe many people feel this way.

However,

"So, how should we change?"

Finding the answer to this is not easy.

I believe the DNA of Nitobe Bunka School, which will soon celebrate its 100th anniversary, is:

"Pioneering through education to address the challenges of the times with a spirit of altruism."

And now,

The challenge we must face is:

"The very nature of school itself."

This is not a minor reform like changing an app.

It is a challenge to update the operating system itself.

We have learned the direction we should take from the children.

Their growth as they pose their own questions, learn with peers, and connect with society.

In this, we see the form of the "future school" we aim for.

This film is not only the story of Nitobe Bunka School, but also a STORY that depicts the possibilities of future education.

I hope that as many people as possible will watch it and think together about the form of the "future school."

Through watching the film, I hope you will support Japan's children, teachers, and parents.

We humbly ask for your support!!

【Details and Support】 Please check on the crowdfunding service "READYFOR" here.

STORY

Nitobe Bunka School, celebrating its 100th anniversary.

A school is unfolding there that uses society as a place for learning.

This work follows elementary, junior high, and high school students over two years as they confront themes they discover themselves and go through trial and error.

The joy of being absorbed in something. The frustration of things not going as planned. Students, teachers, and parents wavering between scores, entrance exams, and existing values.

"What is school?"

This is a question for each of us living in the coming era.

Background: The current situation surrounding children, parents, and teachers, and the question of the "future school"

Currently, Japanese school education is at a major turning point, with over 420,000 elementary, junior high, and high school students absent from school. Amidst numerous challenges such as the advancement of AI and teacher shortages, many people feel "Is the current situation acceptable?" but cannot find a clear answer. Can we truly create schools where children "want to go," where they can develop the ability to live authentically, and where teachers can work happily? Nitobe Bunka School has been tackling this question since its founding in 1927.

Objective: To deliver hope nationwide through the film "The Lamp That Lights Up School," which portrays struggles and realities.

At Nitobe Bunka School, we have been seriously pursuing the creation of a "future school" since 2019, introducing inquiry-based learning and reviewing school rules. However, our goal is not just for ourselves, but to "create a school that brings happiness to all of Japan."

As part of our 100th-anniversary project in 2027, our objective is to deliver hope nationwide with the message "schools can be more than this" by producing and distributing the film "The Lamp That Lights Up School" nationwide, which depicts the "realities of school" including struggles, uncertainties, and conflicts.

【Details and Support】 Please check on the crowdfunding service "READYFOR" here.

【For inquiries, large donations, or direct payments, please contact us via the following.】

Nitobe Bunka Gakuen (Public Relations Office: Suzuki/Nakanose)

Address: 6-38-1 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, 164-8638

●mail: a_kouhou@nitobebunka.ac.jp

●TEL: 03-3381-0196

Nitobe Bunka Gakuen (School Corporation Nitobe Bunka Gakuen)

Founded in 1927, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2027.

First Principal: Dr. Inazo Nitobe.

Opened as the "Women's Institute of Economics" aiming for women's active participation in society.

Currently, it is a comprehensive educational institution comprising a kindergarten, elementary school, junior high and high school, junior college, and after-school programs.

The common wish of the school is to "create a future school" centered on "inquiry" as "Happiness Creators."

100th Anniversary Special Site here

Nitobe Bunka School Homepage here

Recent Awards

Good Design Award: Gold Prize

Well-being Award: Gold Prize

Coca-Cola Environmental Education Award: Grand Prize

WORK DESIGN AWARD: Grand Prix

Kids Design Award: Prime Minister's Award

FSC Award: Gold Prize, etc.

In addition, numerous awards have been received by the school and its students.

For inquiries and interviews

Nitobe Bunka Gakuen (Public Relations Office: Suzuki/Nakanose)

Address: 6-38-1 Honcho, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, 164-8638

●mail: a_kouhou@nitobebunka.ac.jp

●TEL: 03-3381-0196

● HP:http://nitobebunka.ac.jp