Learning of Tomorrow [Announcement] “Rohto Children’s Future Foundation × Smile Lab Joint Service: ‘Rohto After-School (Online Children’s Center)’” For the online symposium on Thursday, January 11, we are pleased to welcome Mr. Takeshi Araki, Representative Director of the Rohto Children’s Future Foundation (a public interest incorporated foundation), as well as a childcare worker and after-school program support staff member, and Mr. Takahiro Ito, President and CEO of Smile Lab Co., Ltd., and CPO and Managing Executive Officer of FiNC Technologies Co., Ltd.
https://lot.or.jp/report/12523/
According to a survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the number of students who are not attending school has been increasing in recent years, with the total number of elementary, junior high, and high school students who are not attending school now standing at approximately 300,000. Furthermore, it is reported that 46,000 students have been absent from school for 90 days or more but are not receiving support from specialized agencies.
Amid these circumstances, the Rohto Children’s Future Foundation and Smile Lab collaborated to launch “Rohto’s After-School Program,” a space where children can freely participate within “Nicotto Town” (a 2D metaverse accessible via PC browser).
In response to requests from children, the Rohto Children’s Future Foundation provides opportunities to talk with experts in various fields, primarily online (4–5 times a month). These sessions serve as a “catalyst” for children to delve deeper into topics that interest them and to discover interests they may not have realized they had.
We will be discussing the background behind the launch of our metaverse children's center—which aims to provide children with a "safe and welcoming place where they can always feel at ease"—as well as the services it offers and our future plans. We look forward to your participation.
Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
Director, B Lab
Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
Chairperson, CANVAS
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”
