Time and Space to Be "Oneself" in the Community

In this city, the heart of Tokyo,
We want to create time and space where both adults and children can be "themselves."

A world where the "individuality" of each person is valued among many.

A place in the community where people's "hearts" connect and gently touch.

Our company endorses April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day to share dreams. This press release is the dream of "General Incorporated Association be Place."

## Personal School sunow

One initiative that embodies this dream is "Personal School sunow," a free school operated by a psychologist.

In recent years, the number of students struggling with school attendance has increased in Japan, and the term "futoko" (school refusal) has become widely known.

Of course, school is an important place of learning for many children.
However, at the same time, not all children may find the same form of learning and way of spending time suitable.

That is why we believe it is important for there to be time and space in the community where children can feel safe, beyond just the two choices of "going to school" or "not going to school."

At the free school, children spend their time at their own pace, including not only studying but also playing, conversing, and sometimes doing nothing at all.

We are not doing anything special.
However, when there is a place where someone tries to understand you, people gradually regain themselves.

To have a place where you can feel "it's okay to be here."
To feel "I am not alone."

Such feelings can sometimes lead to the next step.

What we aim for is for children to return to their authentic selves.

And beyond that, to be able to create their own place in the world.

We hope that free schools will not be special places, but rather become like a natural culture within the community.

Not just school.
Not just home.
A society with another place to belong.

A society where everyone can pause for a moment, safely regain themselves, and then move forward at their own pace.

We hope that such time and space will gradually emerge, starting in this city, and then spreading throughout Japan.

## Features of sunow

- (1) Engagement starting with understanding each individual

Psychologists carefully engage with each individual, considering their professional perspective, and together think about "what can be done now." In a small-group environment, we explore ways of spending time that suit the individual, such as learning, dialogue, and play. Individual counseling is also offered as needed.

- (2) Time for connection in daily life

Lunch is primarily self-cooked, and children share meals together. While valuing voices like "I want to make something like this," we foster time for natural interaction with others in daily life. We value both time spent alone and time spent with others, emphasizing connections that are not forced.

- (3) Support including families

To support children, the peace of mind of their families is also important. We value forms of engagement that allow each family to participate at their own pace, such as parent interviews with psychologists and opportunities for parents to connect loosely with each other.

## Access

"Personal School sunow"

Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:00-16:00

Address: 3-9-5 Midorigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo

Google Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ugiuWMosNywWSZTH9

5 minutes walk from Midorigaoka Station on the Tokyu Oimachi Line /
10 minutes walk from Oookayama Station on the Tokyu Oimachi Line / Tokyu Meguro Line /
10 minutes walk from Okusawa Station on the Tokyu Meguro Line

HP: https://sunow.jp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunow_freeschool/

X: https://x.com/sunowfreeschool

### Yusuke Sano, Representative of sunow

"You don't have to force yourself to fit into the world. How can I be myself in this world?"

This was a question I couldn't fully address during my time as a teacher.

To face that question anew as a psychologist, I launched sunow.

Valuing "a safe place to belong," and beyond that, fostering "the ability to create one's own place."

I hope that such time and space will gradually spread throughout the community.

## Company Overview

Corporate Name: General Incorporated Association be Place

Representative: Representative Director Yusuke Sano

Location: 3-9-5 Midorigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0034

Established: November 18, Reiwa 6 (2024)