#Japan #Minato #Education Services #RETAQ Academy #University Preparations

RETAQ Youth Academy Opens Its Doors

On June 8, 2025, the RETAQ Youth Academy, specializing in comprehensive and school recommendation entrance exams, will officially open its doors. This initiative is spearheaded by the Institute of Concept Engineering (ICE) based in Minato, Tokyo, and features a team of instructors with rich backgrounds in academia and global enterprises.

Focus on Comprehensive and School Recommendation Entrance Exams

In recent years, admission processes for universities in Japan have diversified, with a growing emphasis on comprehensive and school recommendation entrance exams. These methods assess students not only through standardized tests but also via application documents, interviews, and essays. While some critics argue that these alternative methods are less rigorous and may reflect a decline in academic performance standards, they actually provide a valuable framework for evaluating research aptitude and critical thinking skills, which are essential for higher education.

Traditionally, Japan's university admission process relied heavily on written examinations, which did little to assess a student's research capabilities. The comprehensive and school recommendation entrance exams aim to deliver a more holistic evaluation of a student’s potential by considering their ability to identify problems, craft research plans, and engage in logical reasoning. This aligns closely with the admission processes used by top-tier universities in the United States and many graduate programs in Japan that seek to nurture researchers.

Despite the growing importance of these alternative assessment methods, there remains a gap in the current high school curriculum that does not adequately prepare students for these types of exams. This gap has made it necessary for specialized coaching solutions like RETAQ Youth Academy to fill the void.

The Origins of RETAQ Youth Academy

Founded in 2017, ICE is dedicated to research and education strategy development. With years of experience collaborating with both domestic and international universities, including guiding nearly 100 students to their desired schools since 2018, the institute offers unique education methodologies tailored to meet the complexities of modern entrance exams.

ICE's emphasis on discovering societal problems as a basis for problem-solving aligns seamlessly with their approach to entrance exam preparation. This perspective is a significant shift from traditional tutoring and provides students with an authentic educational experience that fosters curiosity and critical thinking. Furthermore, RETAQ Youth Academy offers students direct instruction from seasoned researchers and educators at the forefront of their respective fields.

Unique Features of RETAQ Youth Academy

1. University Faculty Perspective in Teaching
All examinations are ultimately assessed by university faculty. Therefore, RETAQ recruits experienced researchers, including former professors from national universities, to provide instruction from this unique viewpoint. For students enrolled in programs requiring research reports, doctoral-level instructors offer specialized guidance tailored to their areas of study.

2. Interview Preparation by Experienced Professionals
Students will benefit from tailored interview preparation courses led by former international flight attendants and instructors well-versed in subjects such as personal presentation and handling interview questions. Native speakers will also be available to assist with English speech and interview preparation.

3. Completely Online Learning Environment
In order to accommodate students from various backgrounds and circumstances, all courses offered by RETAQ Youth Academy will be conducted online. This accessibility ensures that students who lack local resources or those unable to commute can still receive legitimate preparation for their university entrance exams.

Course Offerings

• - Application Document Preparation Course

Focuses on crafting essential documents such as personal statements and self-recommendations in small group settings.

• - Research Seminar Course

Provides structure around individual research themes, helping students develop from a research plan to report-writing under the guidance of experienced researchers.

• - Interview Preparation Course

Teaches essential skills in presentation, communication style, and potential question handling.

• - English Interview Preparation Course

Conducted by native speakers or instructors with extensive international experience, focusing on enhancing students' confidence in English communication.

• - On-Demand Course

Allows for personalized instruction tailored to specific admission requirements across universities, ensuring a focused learning experience.

Special Opening Campaign

To celebrate the opening of RETAQ Youth Academy, a special campaign will be available until August 31. This includes waiving the usual enrollment fee of 20,000 yen for new students as well as offering free online counseling sessions regarding university entrance examinations and related queries.

Commitment to Society

RETAC Youth Academy is committed to employing researchers on non-regular contracts, particularly those who have retired, thereby providing them stability and enabling students to benefit from their insights. Profits derived from operations will be reinvested into research funding to foster a mutual growth environment between applicants and educators. By providing this platform, RETAQ Youth Academy aims to contribute to the revitalization of research efforts in Japan and the development of future talents in science and technology.

To learn more about RETAQ Youth Academy, visit their official website.