In Japan, About 450 Schools Close Annually. A Woodworking Company Takes on a School Revitalization Project, Raising 5.34 Million Yen Through Its Own Crowdfunding, Officially Launching the Revival of the Former Zaijo Upper Elementary School

Nakayoshi Library Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kami City, Kochi Prefecture; CEO: So Hamada) has concluded its self-hosted crowdfunding campaign on June 30, 2026, aimed at funding the 'School Revitalization Project' utilizing the former Zaijo Upper Elementary School in Sanuki City, Kagawa Prefecture.

As a result, the company received a total of 5.34 million yen in support from 96 backers, successfully meeting its target of 5 million yen.

This project aims to repurpose the former school as a woodworking production hub while also transforming it into a community exchange facility equipped with a cafeteria, kids' room, shared workshop, and woodworking experience space—creating a new gathering place for children, local residents, and tourists.

In Japan, approximately 450 schools close each year. 'Let’s bring schools back to the heart of our communities.'

Amid declining birthrates and population shrinkage, around 450 schools in Japan are closing annually. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, 8,850 schools have closed between FY Heisei 16 and FY Reiwa 5, with approximately 2,000 of them still unused.

Schools are not just places of learning—they are repositories of local history and cherished memories. However, as schools complete their missions and fall into disuse, communities gradually lose vital gathering spaces.

Guided by the vision of 'bringing schools back to the heart of our communities,' we are taking on school revitalization in a way only a woodworking company can. Leveraging our expertise in crafting wooden toys, we aim to create a space where children’s laughter echoes and people naturally connect. The revitalization of the former Zaijo Upper Elementary School marks our first major step.

Why a Woodworking Company Bought a School

Nakayoshi Library Co., Ltd. manufactures and sells wooden toys and children’s furniture made from domestic timber. Since its founding, the company has upheld the vision of 'creating rich growth opportunities for children.'

Given this mission, we could not view the reality of declining child populations and school closures as someone else’s problem. Schools are symbols of communities—places where children nurture dreams and countless memories are formed.

'We don’t want to demolish; we want to revitalize.'

Driven by this belief, we acquired the former Zaijo Upper Elementary School and launched a project to create new value through the unique perspective of a woodworking company.

Choosing Our Own Website Over Crowdfunding Platforms

For this fundraising effort, we chose not to use conventional crowdfunding platforms, instead launching the campaign exclusively on our corporate website.

There were two main reasons. First, we wanted to maintain close connections with each supporter and directly share project updates and our vision. Second, we aimed to allocate as much of the raised funds as possible directly to facility improvements.

Over the course of about one month, we consistently shared on-site updates and our project’s vision through blogs and social media. This effort led to 96 individuals supporting us, exceeding our 5 million yen target with 5.34 million yen in contributions. Beyond the numbers, we are deeply encouraged by the fact that so many people resonated with our desire to 'preserve schools for the future.'

100% of Support Funds Dedicated to School Revitalization

All funds raised will be used for renovating the former Zaijo Upper Elementary School. Planned improvements include:

- A safe and welcoming kids’ room for children to play

- A cafeteria accessible to employees, local residents, and visitors

- An event space for woodworking experiences and workshops

- A shared workshop open to all

- Entrance and classroom plaques engraved with supporters’ names

- Hosting local events and wood-based education (mokuyoku) programs

Construction will begin in July 2026, with facilities opening gradually from autumn onward.

We’re Not Building a Facility—We’re Creating a Reason to Return to School

What we aim to create is not a new building.

We envision a place where:

- Children come to play

- Parents come for coffee

- Locals host events

- Makers use the workshop to learn craftsmanship

- Alumni return, nostalgic for their school days

A place where such everyday moments can unfold.

Schools were once the heart of communities.

That’s why we want to bring people back together here, nurturing a school where new memories can accumulate once again.

Featured on RNC Nishinippon Broadcasting’s 'Shiawase Kibun'

This project, which repurposes an abandoned school as a regional resource, has drawn media attention. On July 18, 2026 (Saturday), RNC Nishinippon Broadcasting’s program 'Shiawase Kibun' will feature a special segment on 'reusing abandoned schools,' spotlighting our initiative.

The program will cover the story behind our acquisition of the former Zaijo Upper Elementary School, our vision for school revitalization, our motivation as a woodworking company to contribute to regional revitalization, and our journey collaborating with 96 supporters through crowdfunding.

Comment from CEO So Hamada

Crowdfunding is not the finish line—it’s where the real journey begins. The 5.34 million yen entrusted to us by 96 supporters carries their hopes and love for the community.

We are a woodworking company. While we build things from wood, what we truly want to create are spaces where people gather and connect. We will nurture a school where children interact with wood, locals naturally come together, and new memories are formed.

Across Japan, many schools are still closing their doors. We hope this project can serve as a model, showcasing new possibilities for reusing abandoned schools and revitalizing communities.

Upcoming Schedule

July 2026

- Construction begins - Supporter plaque production - Preparation for summer workshops

August 2026

- Parent-child woodworking workshops and summer events

September 2026

- Cafeteria and kids’ room completion

October 2026

- Installation of supporter name plaques and classroom plaques

November 2026

- Shared workshop opens - On-site events begin

December 2026

- Launch of collaborative projects with Sanuki City - Start of wooden toy lending program