#Japan #Tokyo #Tomonori Tomura #Papa School #CPR Certification

Father-Son Bonding Experience at Papa School

In an inspiring move, the Papa School initiative has launched the 2025-2026 Winter Challenge, allowing parents and their sixth-grade children to learn essential life-saving skills together. Under the guidance of Tomonori Tomura, the founder of Papa School and chairman of Japan Management Research Institute, this endeavor highlights the importance of mutual learning, cooperation, and personal growth in parenting.

A Journey of Growth and Learning

Tomonori Tomura firmly believes that the essence of education lies in encouraging children to pursue their interests and aspirations. With the increasing need for emergency preparedness in today’s world, Tomura decided to undergo training with his son to obtain CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) certification, a venture more significant than mere skill acquisition—it's a bonding experience.

The journey began when Tomura’s son, then in the fourth grade, expressed a desire to train alongside his father, having witnessed Tomura’s dedication to safety while participating as a parental supervisor in youth baseball games where emergency kits and AEDs were crucial. However, at that time, physical limitations made it difficult for the young boy to engage in CPR training. Now, as a sixth grader, his growth in size and strength ignited a fresh enthusiasm for learning these vital skills.

The Training Experience

The father-son team actively engaged in the training process, going through the required courses and hands-on practice to achieve their MFA CPR-AED certification together. Tomura captured the beauty of this shared experience, noting that it was essential for him as a parent to support his son’s budding interests without overshadowing or dismissing them. In his words: “It’s vital to nurture the flowers of hope and possibility blooming in my son’s heart, allowing each of them to thrive.”

Addressing Real-World Concerns

Tomura’s son carried specific concerns regarding potential emergencies during their baseball activities, where access to AEDs isn’t always guaranteed near the playing fields. His awareness of the need for preparedness prompted a great desire to be equipped and ready to assist in a crisis: “I want to be able to help someone if they collapse—knowing CPR and how to use an AED will make a difference.”

The thoughtful nature of their shared initiative points to broader values of collaboration between parents and their children. As they traversed these educational avenues, they also engaged in discussions about promoting human rights and diversity within the home, emphasizing that learning should never be forced but rather a shared exploration.

Fostering Safety and Well-being

As Tomura reflects on the experience, he envisions a world where everyone, including himself and his son, is prepared to act should an emergency arise. The importance of teaching empathy and a sense of social responsibility to the younger generation cannot be understated. He expresses a hope that through Papa School, discussions about mental health, well-being, and equality flourish effortlessly within families, cultivating a culture of psychological safety.

This endeavor at Papa School stands not only as an educational program but as a heartfelt movement encouraging parental involvement, mutual respect, and the development of lifesaving skills that empower individuals to take action. Tomura’s mission to foster better inner-family relationships through collaborative learning remains at its core.

As the new year approaches, this story resonates with many as a reminder of the importance of family, collective growth, and preparing for life’s unpredictabilities. The values imbued in the Papa School initiative extend beyond training; they represent a commitment to nurturing a supportive and caring environment for future generations.

Do join Tomonori Tomura and his son in this wonderful initiative to demonstrate how learning together can strengthen family bonds while equipping our youth with the skills necessary to aid those in need. Together, they endeavor to make a difference, one step at a time.