Upon hearing that eSports equipment had been installed in Kaiyo Town, I paid a visit right away.

I was planning to have just a quick chat with the mayor… but before I knew it, five and a half hours had passed. It was a very fulfilling time.

Kaiyo Town is known as the happiest town in Japan, and I feel that its elementary schools are implementing Japan’s most cutting-edge educational methods.

Starting in fiscal year 2016, we utilized the cloud to implement a "one device per student" environment.

When I peek into the classroom, I see the children working together on their tablets of their own accord, even without the teacher’s instructions, and I’m amazed by their high level of digital literacy.

Even children with the flu can participate in classes online; all school-related information is centrally managed in the cloud; and school events are recorded using VR video.

One Apple Pencil per student While the introduction of the Apple Pencil is said to be a key focus, the school is also equipped with drones, VR headsets, and robots—enabling programming using drones, robot-assisted commuting to school, and metaverse classes connecting small schools…

We utilize a wide range of technologies to provide each student with the optimal learning environment. This is the true embodiment of inclusive education!

To me, it looks like a miraculous elementary school.

I used to wonder how such a thing could be possible, but after hearing from various people, I now clearly understand that this was not a miracle, but an inevitability.

The mayor has always been open to change and committed to staying at the cutting edge, and he consistently emphasizes the importance of education.

The Board of Education has also called on schools to “break out of their old ways” and has been taking a surprisingly flexible approach.

Teachers known as "GODs"—who have a thorough understanding of the needs on the ground—personally design and build the ICT infrastructure.

Whenever a new proposal is made, everyone involved—from top management to the front lines—gets excited and immediately says, “Let’s do it.” Then they move swiftly to put it into action.

I even think this might be the secret to becoming “Japan’s happiest town.”

I received a photo taken with the mayor, Mr. Numashima from the Board of Education, and the amazing Mr. Mizouchi (*^^*)