Press Release: 350,000 Truant Students, Teacher Mental Health Leave Remains High. Preventing the Collapse of the Education System: The Forefront of 'Work-Style Reform' and 'Diverse Learning' ~ The 17th EDIX (Education Comprehensive Exhibition) Tokyo to be held from May 13 (Wed) ~

The EDIX Executive Committee (planned and operated by RX Japan Ltd., Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and President: Takeshi Tanaka) will hold the 17th EDIX (Education Comprehensive Exhibition) Tokyo, Japan's largest comprehensive exhibition in the education field, for three days from May 13 (Wednesday) to May 15 (Friday), 2026, at Tokyo Big Sight.

Official Website

**The Forefront of 'School DX' and 'Diverse Learning' to Prevent the Collapse of the Education System**

Currently, Japan's education system faces an unprecedented crisis due to two serious issues: 'teacher shortages (overwork)' and a 'rapid increase in truant students.' This exhibition will feature numerous school DX solutions to rectify harsh working environments and the latest technologies (such as the metaverse) to ensure no truant student is left behind. We will introduce concrete solutions to rescue schools at their limit and implement new forms of learning.

Official Website

**The Negative Spiral in Education Caused by 'Teacher Exhaustion' and 'Rapid Increase in Truancy'**

According to the latest survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)*1, the number of public school teachers and staff on sick leave due to mental illness reached 7,087, exacerbating the nationwide 'teacher shortage.' Behind this is a harsh working environment (overwork) caused by long working hours, administrative tasks, and parent interactions.

Furthermore, the number of truant elementary and junior high school students has reached a record high of approximately 350,000*2, creating a 'negative spiral' where detailed support for each diverse student places an even greater burden on teachers in the field.

To escape this crisis, it is urgent to introduce 'drastic operational efficiency improvements' utilizing AI and digital technologies, unlike conventional methods, and 'new forms of education' that allow learning even without attending a classroom. At this exhibition, you can experience the latest solutions directly linked to teacher work-style reform and truancy support through live demonstrations.

*1 MEXT "Survey on Personnel Administration Status of Public School Teachers and Staff in FY2024" (December 22, 2025)

*2 MEXT "Survey on Problematic Behavior and Truancy of Children and Students and Other Guidance Issues" (October 29, 2025)

**Introducing Some Featured Solutions**

**[Reducing Teacher Burden] AI and School DX**

Analog tasks that are a hotbed for long teacher working hours, such as test grading, grade processing, and creating newsletters for parents, will be automated and streamlined at once with AI and digital tools. This is the latest technology to help teachers 'regain time to face children.'

Company Name: WaoTech Inc. (AI Go Answer: AI Automatic Grading System for Japanese Descriptive Questions) /

TAS Co., Ltd. (Smart Pocket for School)

**[Preventing Teacher Turnover] Mental Care for Faculty and Staff**

Services that visualize and care for the mental health of teachers are gaining attention to prevent sick leave due to mental illness and early turnover. We will introduce solutions to 'protect teachers' minds,' such as stress check apps and online coaching by external experts.

Company Name: NTT TechnoCross Corporation (HM-neo academic: Health Management System for Students and Faculty)

**[Era of 350,000 Truant Students] Metaverse School Attendance and Diverse Learning**

For truant children and students who find it difficult to attend classrooms, 'metaverse schools' where they can participate from home using avatars, and AI-powered personalized optimal learning platforms will be exhibited. These offer diverse learning options to students while also reducing the burden of individual support on teachers.

Company Name: Cluster Inc. (cluster for Education)

**Concurrent Seminars (Partial Excerpt)**

**[Special Lecture] Conditions for Inquiry Learning from Wakasa High School, the Stage of "Saba Can Goes to Space"**

— School-wide organization and system supporting self-discovery and character formation —

May 13 (Wednesday), 2026 | 12:00 – 13:00

Hisanobu Watanabe, Principal, Fukui Prefectural Wakasa High School / Yasuyuki Kosaka, Superintendent of Education, Obama City Board of Education, Fukui Prefecture

The development of space food from canned mackerel, initiated by high school students using mackerel, a local resource of Obama City, has garnered nationwide attention, being featured in programs like 'New Project X ~Challengers~' and serving as the motif for the Monday 9 PM drama 'Saba Can Goes to Space,' starting in April 2026. In this lecture, Principal Watanabe, who has long supported Wakasa High School's inquiry learning, and Mr. Kosaka, who worked with Principal Watanabe since his teaching days to build an organization promoting inquiry and now leads regional education as the Superintendent of Education for Obama City, will speak.

**[Special Lecture] Aiming for Both 'Ease of Work' and 'Job Satisfaction' in Schools**

May 14 (Thursday), 2026 | 10:00 – 11:00

Akiko Takami, Planning Officer, Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau, MEXT, Head of Work-Style Reform Promotion Office

As the saying goes, 'Education is people,' and teachers play a crucial role in school education. On the other hand, the issues schools deal with are complex.