#Japan #Tokyo #Parental Support #Cybozu #truancy

Addressing the Rise of School Refusal: A Cybozu Initiative

In recent years, the issue of school refusal among children has garnered significant attention, and private enterprises have begun to confront the complexities surrounding this challenging situation for families. Cybozu, Inc., a notable Japanese company based in Tokyo, has initiated efforts to highlight the struggles faced by parents of children who refuse to attend school. Through its Social Design Lab, Cybozu has conducted research over the last several months, uncovering critical insights into the dilemmas these parents encounter.

Insights from Parental Interviews

In March 2025, the results of a comprehensive interview study on parents with truant children were released, revealing an array of concerns and needs. To further educate the public about these challenges, Cybozu has transformed the experiences shared by six parents into engaging comic strips, published on their website. This initiative, launched on April 24, 2025, aims to provide parents with more relatable content, helping them better understand and prepare for the complexities of children’s reluctance to attend school.

The comics feature personal narratives from both fathers and mothers, addressing their internal struggles regarding work-life balance, marital issues, and the emotional turmoil that arises when a child refuses to go to school. Cybozu believes that these comics will serve as a valuable resource, offering insights and coping strategies for other parents who may find themselves in similar situations.

A Collaborative Approach to Finding Solutions

In an effort to foster community engagement, Cybozu is also organizing an event scheduled for May 23, 2025. Titled "Learning from Working Parents: What Companies Can Do to Support Truancy," this event will bring together CSR professionals from various private companies to brainstorm actionable strategies for addressing truancy. The growing incidence of school refusal is not just a personal issue; it affects families interconnected with the workforce and, by extension, the companies that employ them. The event aims to encourage businesses to embrace their responsibility in helping families navigate this challenge while maintaining productivity.

Event Details

Set to take place at Cybozu's Tokyo office, the free-to-attend event will include multiple sessions designed to facilitate dialogue on the topic of school refusal and corporate social responsibility. The schedule for the day is as follows:

• - 14:00 – 14:30: Introduction and Check-in
• - 14:30 – 15:00: Presentation of the Interview Study Results
• - 15:00 – 16:45: World Café Discussion: Exploring Future Support for Children and Parents
• - 16:45 – 16:55: Wrap-up and Exit

This event is a timely opportunity for businesses to proactively consider how they can support working parents, particularly those coping with the challenges of raising a truant child. Companies are encouraged to foster an inclusive workplace that respects employees' lives, ultimately enhancing organizational growth.

To participate, interested parties can sign up through Cybozu’s dedicated event link. Furthermore, the comics featuring parental experiences can be freely accessed on the Social Design Lab's website, along with full written accounts from all the participants.

The Mission of Cybozu's Social Design Lab

Cybozu recognizes that addressing societal issues demands collaboration and understanding among various stakeholders. The Social Design Lab is committed to shedding light on family challenges, including truancy, and showing how businesses can play a pivotal role in supporting these families. For more information about the Social Design Lab and to view the latest updates and resources, visit their official website.

This initiative not only furthers Cybozu’s mission of improving lives through better workplace environments but also stands as a crucial step towards understanding and addressing the growing issue of school refusal among children.