#Japan #Tokyo #JPI #Child Basic Law #C&Y Partners

Understanding the Child Basic Law and its Impact on Municipal Planning

On June 17, 2025, a significant seminar organized by the Japan Planning Institute (JPI) will delve into the implications of the Child Basic Law on municipal planning proposals. The event will feature a distinguished speaker, Junya Doi, the CEO of C&Y Partners and a member of the Child and Family Council of the Child and Family Agency. This seminar is aimed at local governments, planners, and stakeholders interested in enhancing their understanding of the evolving policies governing child and youth engagement in municipal planning.

Event Overview

The seminar will cover the fundamental shifts introduced by the Child Basic Law, emphasizing how municipalities should incorporate children and youth voices into their planning processes more effectively. Doi will share insights into practical approaches and methodologies that support the engagement of young people in decision-making, ensuring their opinions are not just heard but actively reflected in policies.

Date and Time: June 17, 2025, from 13:30 to 15:30
Location: In-person attendance only, with no live streaming or archived sessions available.
Fees: 37,560 JPY per participant, with discounts for groups from related organizations and special rates for public agency members.

Key Discussion Points

1. Transformative Changes through the Child Basic Law

• - Shifting Framework: Understand the essence of the Child Basic Law and the introduction of the Child and Family Agency.
• - Obligation for Opinion Reflection: Explore how this law mandates municipalities to reflect children's perspectives in their “Child Plans.”

2. Creating Mechanisms for Effective Opinion Reflection

• - Cycles of Opinion Formation and Reflection: Establishing platforms for children to express their views safely.
• - Collection and Feedback Loop: Learning how to gather opinions effectively and incorporate feedback into future policies.

- The importance of a trained facilitator's role in fostering a responsive environment for young voices.
- Adult attitudes towards children's contributions, essential for constructive engagement.

3. Case Study: Voices from Shizuoka

An examination of Shizuoka Prefecture’s innovative initiative, Koe no Mori Shizuoka, provides practical insights into policy implementation:

• - Demonstrated effective processes that have resulted in over 2,000 registered participants and utilized GIGA terminal connections.
• - Potential applicability of Shizuoka's model to other municipalities, including shared funding mechanisms and outreach through user-friendly materials.

4. Essential Considerations for Proposals

• - Crucial Elements in Your Proposals: Understanding what is needed to effectively communicate how children's feedback will be incorporated.

- Concrete proposals showcasing methods for engaging children and the type of feedback process envisioned.

• - The transition from collecting opinions to actionable community involvement, preparing young leaders for future engagement opportunities.

5. Open Discussions and Networking

The seminar will include an open discussion where participants can raise topics of interest with the instructor facilitating dialogue.

• - An invaluable opportunity for personal networking among attendees and the instructor, fostering connections that can lead to collaborative projects and new initiatives in child policy frameworks.

6. Final Remarks and Interactions

Following the seminar, participants will have the chance to ask questions and engage further with the speaker. This interaction is particularly beneficial for establishing professional networks and exploring business opportunities in the realm of child policy and municipal planning.

Conclusion

The Japan Planning Institute continues its long-standing tradition of facilitating knowledge exchange between government, private sector, and academia, focusing on enhancing child welfare and policy relevance in Japan. By attending this seminar, you will not only gain insights into the latest developments in child policy but also be part of a progressive discourse aimed at creating an inclusive society for children and youth.

For more details and registration, visit the official JPI website: Japan Planning Institute.