#Japan #Global Education #Shibuya #J PREP #Naoko Matsubara

Exploring Education Differences for Future Learning

On July 5, J PREP, an English language school catering to students from elementary to high school, organized a special seminar targeting J PREP students from the first year of junior high to the second year of high school, as well as their parents. The event was titled "What Do People Excelling Globally Learn?" and delved into the nuances of educational systems both domestically in Japan and internationally.

Held at the J PREP Shibuya School's main building, J PLAZA 2F event hall, this seminar featured esteemed speakers including Naoko Matsubara, a prominent expert in global education familiar with various educational practices worldwide, and Jun Saito, the representative of J PREP. The discussion focused on the challenges and prospects of Japanese education in nurturing the global talent of the future.

Event Overview

Title: What Do People Excelling Globally Learn? - Considering Future Learning through Differences in Education between Japan and Abroad
Target Audience: J PREP students in the first year of junior high to the second year of high school and their parents
Date and Time: July 5, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:20 PM
Speakers: Jun Saito (J PREP Representative), Naoko Matsubara
Venue: J PREP Shibuya School Main Building J PLAZA 2F Event Hall

During the seminar, Matsubara and Saito engaged attendees with a talk session that intertwined their experiences from various education systems, including the prestigious Harrow School in the UK and institutions in the USA, the Middle East, and Thailand. They provided a multi-faceted perspective on the essential skills needed to succeed in a global environment and highlighted the attitudes students should cultivate during their junior and senior high school years.

Among the exciting discussions was the pivotal role of English proficiency in expanding future opportunities. They shared specific examples illustrating possibilities of pursuing higher education overseas and detailed actionable steps that current students can take to prepare for this pathway. This provided an encouraging moment for both students and parents, allowing them to reaffirm the purpose of their daily studies while engaging thoughtfully with the necessary learning frameworks for the future.

J PREP aspires that through this seminar, each student can convey their thoughts and thrive on a global stage. They remain committed to providing a learning environment that broadens international perspectives and enhances future possibilities through focused English education.

Profiles of Key Speakers

Jun Saito - J PREP Representative

Jun Saito holds a bachelor's degree from Sophia University in the Faculty of Foreign Languages, specializing in English (1993). He completed his Ph.D. in Political Science at Yale University (2006). After serving as an associate professor at Wesleyan University (2006-07) and Franklin & Marshall College (2007-08), he took on an associate professorship at Yale University (2008-12), and also served as a guest professor at Korea University (2009-11). Returning to Japan in April 2012, he established J PREP, where he oversees curriculum development, teaching, and career guidance.

Naoko Matsubara - Guest Speaker

Naoko Matsubara is a graduate of Sophia University with a degree in Economics and studied abroad at Ohio University during her third year. She completed her master's degree in International Relations at Waseda University's Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies. She has worked in educational institutions across various countries, including public middle and high schools in Thailand, Zayed University in the UAE, and Harrow School in the UK. Since April 2024, she will serve as the Global Education Coordinator at Oyuy Gakuen Girls' Junior and Senior High School. She is also an assistant professor of tea ceremony under the Urasenke school and a preparatory instructor for Chindō-ryū karate.

Matsubara is an accomplished author of multiple books and articles, and her works are well-regarded in educational circles.

About J PREP

J PREP provides a continuous English education program for students aged 2 through high school senior year. They operate several branches catering to various age groups, focusing on not just language acquisition but also nurturing logical thinking skills, non-cognitive abilities, and global awareness. J PREP currently has seven schools in Tokyo and two in Kanagawa, with over 10,000 enrolled students who have achieved admissions to prestigious universities both domestically and abroad.

For more information about J PREP, visit their official website at J PREP Inc..