Turning frustration with school into excitement for the future. Current high school students are creating a learning space like a Park.

A new educational event will be held soon. The organizing members are 10 middle and high school students from all over the country who are passionate about education.
Please let me write about the U18 Education Park (Edupa) that we are hosting.

The U18 Edupa was sparked by the U18 Education Summit held in August 2025.
An event started by high school senior Kan Soda. It was the moment high school students started a movement for education from scratch.
At that time, I was just a typical high school student working hard on my studies and club activities.
That was until I participated in the U18 Education Summit.
Oh, excuse me for the late introduction. I am Ayu, the founder of U18 Edupa. I am a high school sophomore.

The reason I decided to participate in the U18 Education Summit was that I was going through a period where I was wondering, "Is there really any point to what I'm studying right now?"

I happened to come across this event while scrolling on my smartphone. I strongly resonated with the words of the organizer, Soda-san, and decided to participate. Then, on the day of the event, I witnessed high school students taking powerful actions.

A few days after the U18 Education Summit was held.
I discovered that Soda-san had posted a "Call for the next flag-bearer" for the U18 Education Summit.

"I have to do this." I just thought.

Huh??
Why all of a sudden??

You might be thinking that.

Actually, I have a strong foundational experience of struggling when I couldn't go to school during my middle school years.

Since I was in middle school, I've been thinking, "Why doesn't Japanese education change?"
"Why am I being tormented 'by school'?"
"In the future, I want to dedicate my life to changing Japanese education." I even thought about things like that.

(Please read this article for more details)

And, there are many children all over Japan who are carrying such struggles of "not being able to go to school" or "not wanting to go to school."

The number of children who are absent from elementary or middle school for 30 days or more per year, so-called "non-attenders," has exceeded 350,000 nationwide. This is the highest number ever for 12 consecutive years.

It is not a problem for children to choose "not to go to school."

However, the problem is the reality that children who do not fit into the current standardized school system are suffering, such as:
"I want to learn, but I can't."
"I want to go to school, or I'm in trouble because I can't go, but I just can't go."

Every child in Japan has the right to learn.
But the schools that provide that learning are not places that all children can attend.

Don't you think this situation needs to change?

That's why, even though I knew nothing about event management, I sent a DM to Soda-san.


Since then, for these past 8 months or so, I have taken on and accomplished various first-time challenges: deciding the event name, brainstorming content, selecting speakers, creating workshops, attempting crowdfunding, and posting on social media.
The advisors for the event management are Kan Soda and Yuna Takada from the U18 Education Summit.

We managed to do almost all of the preparation with just high school student members, and finally, on Sunday, March 29th, we will hold U18 Edupa at Shinagawa Ward Gotenyama Elementary School.

The concept is to turn your frustration with school into excitement for the future!

Well then, what kind of content have we created?
I'll introduce it from start to finish (without giving away any spoilers).

Excitement Engine
This is a workshop exclusively for high school students and younger, provided by the certified NPO "Key Person 21."
It is a highly recommended workshop that the organizing members actually experienced and thought, "Isn't this perfect for U18 Edupa participants!?"
While having fun, let's dig deep into what you like and discover your own "Excitement Engine."
Frustration Verbalization Workshop
This is a workshop where you listen to your own frustrations and put them into words using a worksheet.
Share your thoughts with your team members, empathize with each other, and understand the contours of your frustrations.
You will surely realize that you are not the only one feeling this way.

Guest Talk by Educators
Topics
Practical examples of educational reform: Learn what changes occurred in schools and students by implementing reforms.
Hints for reform: Learn how changes can be made.
New perspectives: There should be a change in your way of thinking and values regarding school and studying!

Speakers
◯ Mr. Takao Yamamoto
Vice Principal of Yokohama Soei Junior and Senior High School. He practices the cultivation of autonomous learners through "classes where teachers don't teach."
◯ Mr. Takahiko Saigo
Former Principal of Setagaya Ward Sakuragaoka Junior High School. He placed inclusive education at the center of school management, promoting the abolition of school rules and regular tests, the use of ICT, and education that develops individuality.

U18 Presentation
Topics
・Learning gained from actions that go beyond the framework of school learning
・Thoughts on education starting from frustration
Presentations by high school students who have engaged in extracurricular and inquiry-based activities. It will raise the enthusiasm of participants and provide hints for action.

Speakers
◯ Sena, High School Senior / The story of how I, who lived in the countryside, used my last high school brand to try various things
◯ Shuta Inoue, High School Freshman / On the motivation of jellyfish.
◯ So Kawabata, High School Freshman / A high school freshman who achieved world peace.
◯ Sora, High School Sophomore / Encounters with people change your life - Won't you see a world you don't know?

What if I changed the school? WS
A place where people from various positions can have a flat dialogue and create ideas for the "school of the future."
You will surely be able to get excited about the future of education too!

Workshop to verbalize "I want to try this!"
While looking back on all the content, each participant will write down the actions they want to take on paper and end the event.

Won't you come and play at this Park too?

A Park of learning. A Park of encounters. A free Park where you can relax. I believe that on March 29th, the elementary school gymnasium that will serve as the venue will become such a place.

Your frustration. Your struggle. Your worries.

May the time you spent fighting and thinking alone be rewarded at U18 Edupa.

And hoping that it will be a day like a door, where you encounter your own kind of excitement and new actions begin.

We are sincerely looking forward to meeting you at the U18 Education Park.

Click here for details and ticket applications.