#Japan #Tachikawa #Modern Terakoya #Support for Families

In March 2026, Tachikawa City will see the opening of a new community space that seeks to support children who experience school dropout alongside their families. This initiative, dubbed a 'Modern Terakoya,' aims to be a second home for children, providing a warm and safe environment where they can feel comfortable and secure. Yamazaki Kaori, the founder of this project, has personally experienced the struggles associated with school dropout through her own child. She recalls the difficulties of navigating morning reluctance to attend school, issues that arise within the classroom, and the broader impact on family dynamics. One of the greatest challenges she faced was the lack of a safe space to leave her child on days when attending school was simply not feasible. The pressure of daily meal preparation can weigh heavily on parents' mental health, leading to the heartfelt wish for accessible meals. Recognizing the absence of community support, Yamazaki was inspired to establish a place that could serve as a beacon of hope, stating, 'If it doesn’t exist, I will create it.' The space will provide three core offerings: 1. Warm Meals: It will prioritize understanding and supporting households on challenging days, alleviating parental burdens while ensuring that children receive comforting and nutritious food. 2. Flexible Learning and Activities: Rather than focusing solely on traditional academic subjects, this space will foster a diverse array of activities where children can freely choose how to spend their time. 3. A Relaxing Environment: Designed to feel like a second home, the space will emphasize creating a cozy atmosphere where children can breathe easy and enjoy their time without the pressures of school or home. In this nurturing environment, children will be valued not as those 'who cannot attend school' but as individuals 'who are welcome here.' Yamazaki expresses her vision for this project: 'Hello, I am Kaori Yamazaki. I have spent the last 20 years working as a hairdresser in Tachikawa, surrounded by the support of many. Now, I wish to take on the role of supporter. School dropout is not an uncommon event; it can happen to anyone, in any family. However, having a space to say, 'It’s okay, that place exists,' can vastly change the life journey of both children and parents. I aim to cultivate landscapes of hope within Tachikawa, with this initiative being both an educational project and a challenge to create local culture. 'Being kind is not lame; supporting one another is cool.' I want to spread this new value through this Modern Terakoya. My hope is that someone’s lunch can lead to someone else’s bright tomorrow, delivering 'ordinary safety' from Tachikawa. As of November 2025, crowdfunding efforts are underway to support the establishment and operational costs of this space. Contributions, shares, and supportive comments all contribute to making this vision a reality. Goodwill is 'currency of compassion.' Through this project, I hope to foster an environment where support is naturally exchanged, starting from Tachikawa. The crowdfunding campaign runs from November 15, 2025, to December 25, 2025, through the CAMPFIRE platform. For inquiries about this release, please contact: Brand Name: noa, Representative: Kaori Yamazaki, Address: 1-13-30 Ichibanchou, Tachikawa City, Tokyo, Business Type: Hair Salon, Email: [email protected], Phone: 090-1889-3435.