#Japan #Education #Fukuoka #Charichari

A New Chapter in Education with Charichari

Charichari, a share bicycle service based in Fukuoka, has launched an inspiring initiative aimed at elementary students. Recently, the company collaborated with Kyokyo Palette to host a special class for 66 sixth graders from a public elementary school in Fukuoka City. Under the leadership of CEO Kentaro Yamamoto, who started his entrepreneurial journey at 15, the class focused on addressing societal challenges through a hands-on, interactive approach.

During the session, Kentaro shared his personal journey, highlighting the hurdles he faced, including his experiences with living with disabilities and running a business from a young age. His powerful narrative served as an eye-opener for students, prompting them to contemplate not just career choices, but the essence of living a meaningful life. He urged them to think critically about how they want to contribute to society, emphasizing that the foundation of any job is solving someone’s problems, reinforcing that this was not merely about working in the biking industry but about community development.

Background of the Initiative

Charichari's mission is to create next-level habits in urban mobility, aiming to address local issues through collaboration with community members and businesses. Meanwhile, Kyokyo Palette provides educational services to schools tailored to their specific needs, aiming to alleviate teachers' burdens and increase the diversity of learning opportunities.

The collaboration was sparked by a request from a teacher who believed that social issues would become increasingly relevant to students. The call to connect the students with hands-on professionals in the field led to this unique and practical learning experience.

Class Outline

The class began with a personal account from Kentaro about his childhood, wheelchair life, and the tough decisions he faced. He opened the floor with provocative questions about self-discovery and living with purpose, encouraging students to engage with their own lives meaningfully. He emphasized that the role of Charichari extends beyond simply providing bicycles; it serves a broader purpose of addressing everyday challenges through innovation.

Moreover, he explained how the company's operations require collaboration with various community stakeholders to effectively implement social solutions. He inspired the students by showing that passion for what you do can lead to creative solutions and impactful work.

Towards the end of the class, students partook in a group activity aimed at conceptualizing new services to solve local inconveniences. Each group identified everyday challenges and analyzed the target audience and sustainability of their proposed solutions. The process of presenting their ideas reinforced the notion that meaningful work is not distant, but relevant to their own lives.

Feedback and Reflections

The feedback from both students and the teacher highlighted the class's impact. One teacher expressed gratitude for the insights shared during the session, noting that Kentaro's stories were relatable for the sixth graders and opened their eyes to the potential of turning passion into profession.

Students expressed their astonishment at Kentaro's achievements at such a young age, recognizing that despite obstacles, one could pursue their dreams and contribute positively to societal issues. Many students reported feeling motivated to examine their environments and think critically about the challenges faced within their communities. One student remarked how pivotal it was to realize that meaningful work stems from a desire to help others.

Conclusion

Through this special class initiative, Charichari aims to transform the perceptions of young students about societal engagement and personal ambition. By showcasing how their passions can lead to societal contribution, Charichari hopes to empower the next generation to cultivate a society brimming with hope, challenge, and enthusiasm for life.

The company is committed to continuing this educational endeavor, intertwining mobility and public service to enhance community development and inspiring youth to shape a better future.

Participating Organizations

• - Kyokyo Palette

Representative: Yukari Matsushita
Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Daimyo 1-3-41 PRIYO Daimyo Bldg. 2F
Website

• - Charichari

Representative: Kentaro Yamamoto
Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Chuo Ward, Nagahama 1-1-1
Website

About Charichari

Charichari is a user-friendly bicycle sharing service accessed through a smartphone app. It offers basic bikes at 6.5 yen per minute, with electric assists at 20.5 yen per minute, facilitating easy and convenient mobility across Fukuoka and beyond since its launch in 2018.