Collaboration Project Launched to Address Japan's Increasing School Refusal Issues

Collaborative Project to Address School Refusal Issues in Japan

Recently, Leifras, a company known for its children's sports schools, has initiated a collaborative project with Tachibana Academy and Matsumoto Inc. This partnership aims to tackle the increasingly serious issue of school refusal in Japan, which has seen a dramatic rise over the years. Under a basic agreement signed by the three entities, they will work together to create effective support systems for students who are not attending school.

The Growing Concern of School Refusal

Japan is experiencing a demographic crisis, with declining birth rates leading to a predicted annual figure of below 665,000 by 2025. Simultaneously, the issue of school refusal has escalated, with estimates suggesting that the number of students refusing to go to school could reach as high as 353,970 in FY 2024. This troubling trend has resulted in approximately one in fifteen middle school students experiencing school refusal, marking an increase that has continued for twelve consecutive years. This growing number of school-refusing students underscores the urgency to develop effective intervention strategies to ensure that young people, who are the future of society, can thrive and contribute positively.

Acknowledging that this problem cannot be solved solely by educational institutions and government bodies, the three organizations have agreed that the private sector must take an active role in addressing this critical issue.

Objectives of the School Refusal Support Project

The collaborative efforts of Leifras, Tachibana Academy, and Matsumoto aim to go beyond conventional educational frameworks by utilizing each partner's unique expertise. This project is designed not just as a social contribution, but as a sustainable business model responding to an increasing social demand. By integrating the operational strengths of educational institutions and companies, they plan to establish a solid revenue framework that will foster the development of young people while creating both economic and social value.

Initial Goals and Expansion Plans
The project aims to create a high-yield model in Fukuoka Prefecture, with plans for rapid national expansion, as well as forming the backbone of Leifras's future business endeavors. Importantly, this initiative is not limited to the collaboration between the three companies alone; they intend to establish broader partnerships to create a conducive business ecosystem. This approach will incorporate diverse companies’ insights and technologies, leading to the development and rollout of valuable new services.

School Refusal: A Global Issue

It's important to note that school refusal is not unique to Japan. Similar challenges are recognized in the West, where absenteeism in schools is also a pressing social concern. The knowledge and insights gained through this project could potentially be adapted for global markets, including the United States.

In the U.S., a student is deemed to have chronic absenteeism if they miss more than 10% of school days. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2022 school year, an alarming 28% of students fall into this category, with some regions seeing rates exceeding 40%.

Furthermore, comparisons with OECD countries reveal that Japan's absenteeism rates remain significantly lower at around 2%, compared to an OECD average of 20% for students missing school for a full day within the previous two weeks. This presents an opportunity for the methodologies developed within the project to be valued and potentially exported beyond Japan's borders.

Future Prospects

Through this initiative, the project partners aim to establish a new business model designed specifically for addressing school refusal. Their goal is to not only achieve success within Japan but also consider international expansion to tackle similar issues faced by Western nations in the future.