#Futagami Elementary #Canon MJ Group #School Legacy

Connecting Memories: The School Legacy Project

In a heartfelt initiative, the Canon Marketing Japan Group (Canon MJ) and Pentel Corporation have joined forces to bring the "School Legacy Project" to life. This collaborative effort aims to support elementary schools facing closure due to modernization and consolidation, allowing students to create lasting memories before their beloved buildings are taken down. Recently, this project was implemented at Futagami Elementary School, located in Katsushika City, Tokyo.

Starting in the late 1960s, many elementary schools were built to accommodate the rapid growth of the student population. As times have changed, these schools now face the challenges of aging infrastructure and the need for earthquake resistance. Additionally, the declining birthrate has led to the consolidation of schools, leaving some students unable to graduate in the familiar surroundings they had known for years.

Since 2014, Canon MJ Group and Pentel have focused on creating memorable experiences in schools marked for demolition. This initiative transforms the entire school into a canvas where students can paint their final memories, which are captured by Canon's cameras. Pentel supports this endeavor by providing necessary art materials and frames for mural creation, while Canon assists by lending cameras and producing large-format posters that immortalize these cherished memories.

At Futagami Elementary, the old school building, active since 1969, is being replaced due to its declining condition. Faculty members emphasized the importance of honoring memories created in the old structure before the transition to the new one. As part of this project, students received mural-making workshops from Pentel and a photography class using mirrorless cameras organized by Canon MJ Group. The images captured, alongside photos of the school’s last days, are turned into large posters and given to the school.

The project reached a pivotal moment during the