Towards a Japan where 'aging is spoken of positively': Aiming to realize a society where 'lifelong youth' is the norm
Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd. aims to foster a society where seniors live with dignity and motivation, embracing 'lifelong youth' and ensuring peace of mind even with dementia, through its school-based care system.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 17:50
Our company endorses April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day for announcing dreams.
This press release is a dream of Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd.
Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd. aims to foster the motivation and dignity of seniors through a "school" system, realizing a society where "lifelong youth" is the norm, and building a society where people can live with peace of mind even if they develop dementia.
## Our Dream: Realizing a society where people can live with peace of mind even with dementia
Japan has entered an unprecedented super-aging society, and challenges such as isolation, loss of motivation, and progression of dementia among seniors are becoming serious.
Furthermore, in care settings, support often tends to focus on what individuals "cannot do," and there are many cases where their dignity and autonomy are undermined.
In response to these social challenges, our company has been developing "Otona no Gakko" (Adult School) since 2006, incorporating a "school" system into care settings.
Currently, approximately 630 facilities nationwide have adopted the "Otona no Gakko Method," benefiting over 15,000 seniors (as of March 2026).
What we aim for in this context is not merely the provision of care services.
It is a society where people, regardless of age or the presence of dementia, can live authentically and positively until the very end. In other words, it is the realization of a society where "lifelong youth" is the norm.
In "school," a symbol of youth for many, a mysterious change occurs.
Through classes incorporating "reminiscence therapy," which evokes nostalgic memories, even individuals with severe dementia actively participate in lessons, speak up, and laugh with teachers and peers.
Learning itself stimulates motivation, which in turn leads to the activation of physical and cognitive functions.
Indeed, numerous cases of improvement in care dependency have been confirmed.
This is a new approach that energizes people by drawing out their "abilities," rather than traditional care that compensates for "inabilities."
We define this approach as "care that doesn't care."
## The Origin of Our Dream: Changes witnessed on-site 20 years ago
The origin of this initiative lies in an experience CEO Oura had approximately 20 years ago at a care facility she managed.
At that time, the facility was exhausted due to a series of staff turnovers. When a school-style learning program was introduced, seniors gradually regained their motivation, and significant changes appeared in their expressions and actions.
The sight of them holding textbooks and learning in front of a blackboard also influenced the surrounding staff, bringing about positive changes throughout the entire facility.
Through this experience, the idea of shifting "care that compensates for inabilities" to "education that draws out abilities" was born, forming the foundation of the current "Otona no Gakko" business.
## Our Vision for the Future: Towards a Japan filled with dreams and hope
Furthermore, our company is expanding the value cultivated within facilities into local communities by launching a new initiative called "Otona no Gakko Cafe."
Going forward, we aim to realize a society where various local places such as clinics, shops, and public facilities become "learning spaces," where seniors naturally gather, connect, and support each other.
The human relationships fostered by these initiatives not only resolve isolation but also nurture new communities where people support each other throughout the region.
This is also an attempt to implement a system of "mutual aid" in society, which is indispensable in an era where "self-help" and "public assistance" alone cannot sustain us.
We believe that people, even with dementia or physical disabilities, can shine again and again through "learning."
Towards a society where growing old is not a source of anxiety but can be embraced with peace of mind.
And aiming for Japan to become the country where "aging is spoken of most positively" in the world.
Our company will continue to work towards this realization through "Otona no Gakko" as a place of learning.
Lifelong Youth!!
【About Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd.】
Under the slogan "Care that doesn't care," we provide school-style rehabilitation and care services. We develop activities nationwide that support the dignity and motivation of seniors through the publication of our unique "Otona no Kyokasho" (Adult Textbooks) based on reminiscence therapy, and the operation of "Otona no Gakko Cafe" as a place for community interaction.
Company Name: Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd.
Representative: Keiko Oura, Representative Director
Location: Mizuman Building 5F, 2-3-21 Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: February 2011
Business Activities:
・Management consulting for care services (franchise business)
・Publication and sales of books, educational books, magazines, etc. (method business)
URL: https://otona-gakkou.com/
This press release is a dream of Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd.
Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd. aims to foster the motivation and dignity of seniors through a "school" system, realizing a society where "lifelong youth" is the norm, and building a society where people can live with peace of mind even if they develop dementia.
## Our Dream: Realizing a society where people can live with peace of mind even with dementia
Japan has entered an unprecedented super-aging society, and challenges such as isolation, loss of motivation, and progression of dementia among seniors are becoming serious.
Furthermore, in care settings, support often tends to focus on what individuals "cannot do," and there are many cases where their dignity and autonomy are undermined.
In response to these social challenges, our company has been developing "Otona no Gakko" (Adult School) since 2006, incorporating a "school" system into care settings.
Currently, approximately 630 facilities nationwide have adopted the "Otona no Gakko Method," benefiting over 15,000 seniors (as of March 2026).
What we aim for in this context is not merely the provision of care services.
It is a society where people, regardless of age or the presence of dementia, can live authentically and positively until the very end. In other words, it is the realization of a society where "lifelong youth" is the norm.
In "school," a symbol of youth for many, a mysterious change occurs.
Through classes incorporating "reminiscence therapy," which evokes nostalgic memories, even individuals with severe dementia actively participate in lessons, speak up, and laugh with teachers and peers.
Learning itself stimulates motivation, which in turn leads to the activation of physical and cognitive functions.
Indeed, numerous cases of improvement in care dependency have been confirmed.
This is a new approach that energizes people by drawing out their "abilities," rather than traditional care that compensates for "inabilities."
We define this approach as "care that doesn't care."
## The Origin of Our Dream: Changes witnessed on-site 20 years ago
The origin of this initiative lies in an experience CEO Oura had approximately 20 years ago at a care facility she managed.
At that time, the facility was exhausted due to a series of staff turnovers. When a school-style learning program was introduced, seniors gradually regained their motivation, and significant changes appeared in their expressions and actions.
The sight of them holding textbooks and learning in front of a blackboard also influenced the surrounding staff, bringing about positive changes throughout the entire facility.
Through this experience, the idea of shifting "care that compensates for inabilities" to "education that draws out abilities" was born, forming the foundation of the current "Otona no Gakko" business.
## Our Vision for the Future: Towards a Japan filled with dreams and hope
Furthermore, our company is expanding the value cultivated within facilities into local communities by launching a new initiative called "Otona no Gakko Cafe."
Going forward, we aim to realize a society where various local places such as clinics, shops, and public facilities become "learning spaces," where seniors naturally gather, connect, and support each other.
The human relationships fostered by these initiatives not only resolve isolation but also nurture new communities where people support each other throughout the region.
This is also an attempt to implement a system of "mutual aid" in society, which is indispensable in an era where "self-help" and "public assistance" alone cannot sustain us.
We believe that people, even with dementia or physical disabilities, can shine again and again through "learning."
Towards a society where growing old is not a source of anxiety but can be embraced with peace of mind.
And aiming for Japan to become the country where "aging is spoken of most positively" in the world.
Our company will continue to work towards this realization through "Otona no Gakko" as a place of learning.
Lifelong Youth!!
【About Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd.】
Under the slogan "Care that doesn't care," we provide school-style rehabilitation and care services. We develop activities nationwide that support the dignity and motivation of seniors through the publication of our unique "Otona no Kyokasho" (Adult Textbooks) based on reminiscence therapy, and the operation of "Otona no Gakko Cafe" as a place for community interaction.
Company Name: Otona no Gakko Co., Ltd.
Representative: Keiko Oura, Representative Director
Location: Mizuman Building 5F, 2-3-21 Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established: February 2011
Business Activities:
・Management consulting for care services (franchise business)
・Publication and sales of books, educational books, magazines, etc. (method business)
URL: https://otona-gakkou.com/
FAQ
What exactly is the "Otona no Gakko" service?
It's a rehabilitation and care service that offers school-style classes for seniors, incorporating reminiscence therapy to stimulate learning motivation and activate physical and cognitive functions.
What does "care that doesn't care" mean?
It refers to a new approach to care that doesn't compensate for inabilities but rather draws out seniors' "abilities," respecting their independence and motivation.
What is the purpose of expanding "Otona no Gakko Cafe"?
It aims to expand learning spaces into local communities outside facilities, fostering "mutual aid" communities where seniors naturally gather, connect, and support each other.