National Conference and International Symposium on the First 100 Months of Child Development

The Child and Family Agency is set to host the first-ever national conference and international symposium titled "The Vision for the First 100 Months of Child Development" on November 22-23, 2026. This prestigious event will take place at the City Center Hotel in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and will be conducted in a hybrid format, allowing for both in-person and online participation.

Importance of the First 100 Months

The first 100 months of a child's life, from pre-birth to early childhood, is a crucial period that lays the foundation for lifelong well-being. In December 2023, the Cabinet approved a fundamental vision concerning child development during early childhood, emphasizing that not only parents and professionals but also various members of society play significant roles in supporting child development. This conference aims to aggregate and disseminate insights and practices from Japan and abroad, fostering collaborative discussions on how to enhance child development.

Event Overview

1. Event Name: National Conference and International Symposium on the Vision for the First 100 Months of Child Development.
2. Dates:
- National Conference: November 22, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and November 23, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
- International Symposium: November 23, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
3. Venue: City Center Hotel, 2-4-1 Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda, Tokyo.
- Participants can join online, with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese and English.
4. Participation Fee: Free of charge.
5. Target Audience: Parents currently raising children, individuals involved in early education, child-rearing, municipal employees, healthcare and welfare professionals, and representatives from universities and research institutions.
6. Registration Deadline: General registration is open until November 13, 2026. Separate registration is required for the national conference and the international symposium. Links for registration include:
- National Conference Registration
- International Symposium Registration

Main Program Content

National Conference

- Keynote Lecture: Reflecting on what is essential for child development in today's context.
- Panel Discussion: Utilizing scientific insights and practical examples from various regions to discuss how society can collectively support child development.
- Workshops: Focusing on connecting children and families to necessary support through everyday interactions, building community-centered approaches that prioritize children, and methods for collaboration among diverse stakeholders to take initial action.
- Awards Ceremony: On November 22, the conference will also host an awards ceremony for the PR video contest on the "Vision for the First 100 Months."

Note: Details about speakers and the program may be subject to change.

International Symposium

The symposium will share policies and practices related to the first 100 months of child development in Japan and various countries. Through presentations and panel discussions, participants will learn from international examples and consider actionable solutions for supporting child development. Expected speakers include OECD officials and representatives from foreign governments.

- Notable Speakers: Akita Kiyomi (Chair of the Child and Family Council), Yuli Obara-Belphari (OECD Early Education and School Education Division Head), Ryo Kadota (Professor at Seinan Gakuin University, Moderator), among others.

For detailed information about the national conference and international symposium, please visit the Child and Family Agency's official website, where updates will be posted regularly. Additional information is also available in the attached event flyer.

Learn more here