#Japan #Seven-Eleven #Nakamuraya #Iruma #Irumachi

Educational Collaboration in Iruma City

On November 27 and December 3, 2025, a groundbreaking event took place in Iruma City, where Seven-Eleven Japan partnered with Nakamuraya and the local educational authorities to provide special classes for elementary school students. The initiative aimed to instill an understanding of local economies and the value of work by using a familiar product, the Chinese steamed bun (chūka man), as a teaching tool. This collaboration highlights the importance of community engagement and experiential learning, ultimately encouraging students to connect with their local economy and envision their possible futures.

Background: The Importance of Community Connection in Education

The Japanese Ministry of Education has been advocating for inquiry-based learning, which encourages children to engage with real-world issues and cultivate a proactive learning attitude. However, challenges remain, such as the difficulty of forming partnerships with local businesses and effectively utilizing community resources. Leveraging a comprehensive partnership agreement established in February 2025 with Iruma City, Seven-Eleven Japan aims to address these issues through collaboration with private sectors, including Nakamuraya, which has manufacturing facilities in the area. This cooperation allows students to learn about the entire chain of production, from manufacturing to distribution and sales, via direct interaction with local enterprises.

Event Overview: A Special Educational Experience

The classes incorporated valuable insights from local Seven-Eleven franchise owners, who discussed how they can engage customers and enhance service quality. The students participated in an interactive segment featuring real Chinese buns produced by Nakamuraya, where they could ask questions and learn through tasting. The curriculum was structured as follows:

1. Introduction to Seven-Eleven’s operations and how to create a customer-friendly store.
2. Discussion on the significance of customer service.
3. A comprehensive explanation of how the Chinese buns reach the stores.
4. A tasting session of the delicious buns.
5. A question and answer segment.

The classes were conducted at Fujisawa Higashi Elementary School on November 27 and Fujisawa Kita Elementary School on December 3. On December 3, an additional session focusing on food waste and sustainability was also included, aligning with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

Anticipated Outcomes: Changing Perspectives

These educational experiences are designed to change how children view the everyday products they purchase. Recognizing that the items they buy are the result of expertise and creativity from local professionals is expected to foster a deeper understanding of work and community. By engaging with local businesses, the students can develop a sense of pride in their region while broadening their future aspirations.

The Learning Experience

In the first segment, local Seven-Eleven owners demonstrated customer service principles and shared practical tips for creating a welcoming store environment. The students were able to witness the dedication and professional practices involved in running a convenience store, including the importance of greetings, personal appearance, and maintaining a positive attitude.

In the second segment, the students tasted the freshly made Chinese buns from Nakamuraya's local factory. Questions about the production process and packaging were answered in an engaging format, allowing for an interactive learning experience. The responses revealed surprising insights and ignited enthusiasm, particularly during the tasting when joy was palpable among the students. Additionally, the December 3 session included a lecture on food waste management in line with sustainable development, providing valuable educational insights.

Student Feedback

The students expressed their thoughts on the experience:

• - “I learned how much effort goes into customer service at my local Seven-Eleven.”
• - “I want to apply what I learned today to make people smile when I work in the future.”
• - “I was surprised that a bun made in Iruma is sold nationwide. I feel proud of my city.”
• - “The buns were warm and fluffy; I enjoyed learning about their taste and the secrets of their packaging.”

Comments from Seven-Eleven Japan Representatives

A spokesperson from Seven-Eleven Japan stated, “Through our nationwide stores, we aim to connect with the community and share our values. We engage students with social issues to inspire them to consider solutions through our diverse educational outreach, which includes approximately 390 sessions annually. Our collaboration with Iruma City and Nakamuraya exemplifies our commitment to educating children about the significance of local enterprises and the people behind their favorite products.” Seven-Eleven Japan looks forward to continuing this initiative, fostering community connections and engaging young minds in meaningful learning experiences.