Alternative School National Convention 'Alterna Fes 2026' to Be Held in Tokyo on June 28

The Alternative School Japan (ASJ), represented by Kazuhiro Kobari, will host 'Alterna Fes 2026 @ TOKYO: Meeting New Forms of Education' on June 28, 2026, from 10:00 to 15:00 at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Shibuya, Tokyo. In its second year, the event expands to gather 9 schools from Hokkaido to Fukuoka, including 2 new participants. Rather than serving merely as a refuge for kids struggling with traditional schooling, alternative schools are increasingly chosen proactively by parents as viable paths alongside public and private education. This shift aligns with global trends like US charter schools and recent MEXT initiatives in Japan to design flexible curricula for non-attending students. The event features school experience booths, individual consultations, and two panel discussions: 'Student-Led Learning and Career Paths' and 'Differences from Public and Private Schools'. Pre-registration is available via Peatix, with early bird tickets priced at 1,500 yen for adults (junior high and above), regular tickets at 2,000 yen, and free admission for children elementary school age or under.