#Japan #Tokyo #Sony Group #Kando Program #Educational Inequality

Bridging the Gap: Sony and After School NPO's Kando Experience Program for 2025

In an ongoing effort to tackle educational inequality, Sony Group Corporation has announced the opening of applications for the 2025 Kando Experience Program, in collaboration with the non-profit organization After School NPO. This initiative aims to provide enriching after-school experiences for children, targeting a diverse range of organizations across Japan that support elementary school students.

Understanding the Kando Experience Program

The Kando Experience Program was designed to leverage Sony's technological and entertainment resources to bridge the educational gap exacerbated by factors such as poverty, family circumstances, and disparities in geographical upbringing. Recent statistics reveal a striking contrast in educational opportunities; children spend approximately 1,600 hours annually in after-school and long-term vacation programs—substantially more than the 1,200 hours allocated to formal schooling. This insight highlights the critical need for meaningful after-school experiences to cultivate creativity, curiosity, and overall emotional development in children.

Since its inception in 2018, Sony has collaborated with various external organizations supporting youth, creating partnerships with NPOs like After School NPO to implement this impactful program. In 2024 alone, the Kando program reached over 390 children across 20 sites nationwide, offering enriching STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning opportunities.

Program Overview and Application Details

Partnership and Initiative Goals

• - Organizers: Sony Group Corporation and After School NPO
• - Target Participants: Organizations actively engaging with elementary school children in after-school settings, including child care clubs, community centers, and food support initiatives.
• - Number of Participating Organizations: 20
• - Application Period: April 11 (Friday) to May 25 (Sunday), 2025
• - Cost: Free of charge
• - How to Apply: Interested organizations are encouraged to submit applications through the designated webpage. For queries, contact the Kando program office at kando@npoafterschool.org.

For specific program details, visit this page.

Program Offerings

The Kando Experience Program offers eight innovative STEAM-related activities, designed to inspire children through interactive and engaging experiences utilizing Sony's advanced technology and entertainment resources.

Evaluating the Impact

To ensure the efficacy of the program, a third-party agency has conducted social impact evaluations on the Kando Experience Program from 2020 to 2023. The goal is to initiate societal discussions on how creative, curious, and non-cognitive skills contribute to addressing educational inequality. The results of a comprehensive evaluation over three years indicated stable positive impacts on participating children, validating the program's effectiveness and reproducibility. For more evaluation details, visit this page.

Conclusion

The Kando Experience Program stands as a beacon of hope in the battle against educational disparities among children in Japan. By harnessing the power of technology and entertainment, Sony and After School NPO are committed to empowering the next generation through valuable and enriching experiences, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background.