Japanese 'STEAM Education' Goes Global

Reiwa 8th Year EDU-Port Nippon Support Project

Expansion of Japanese Early Childhood Education Methods to Thailand and Indonesia

The 'STEAM Education' implemented by Azery Gakuen (Edogawa-ku, Tokyo, President: Komei Kurusu) aims to improve the non-cognitive abilities of children in Thailand and Indonesia and support the dissemination and establishment of local childcare practices. This has been selected for the 'Reiwa 8th Year Japanese Education Overseas Expansion (EDU-Port Nippon) Support Project' promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

In this project, Azery Group, consisting of Azery Gakuen and Koshu Kai Social Welfare Corporation, will expand the unique method 'STEAM Education®' that the group has been researching and practicing, to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Indonesia. Through joint research with local educational institutions, the establishment of model kindergartens, caregiver training, and the joint development of local language curricula, we will disseminate new learning based on Japanese early childhood education culture to the world.

'How does sound travel?' — Touching 'real things' with experts in scientific play. 'Stretching!' — Noticing the 'change of things' from the touch. Being engrossed is the beginning of exploration.

Japan's 'Learning Through Play' to the World

In today's world where AI and digital technology are rapidly developing, not only the ability to memorize knowledge but also the ability to find challenges on one's own, think, take on challenges, and collaborate with others to create new value is required.

On the other hand, Japanese early childhood education has a long history of respecting children's autonomy and valuing learning through play.

Azery Group has been researching and practicing 'STEAM Education®', which combines Japanese childcare culture with the concept of STEAM education, focusing on the exploratory power and non-cognitive abilities that can only be cultivated during infancy and early childhood.

This selection is a new step in expanding Japanese early childhood education methods overseas.

What is STEAM Education®?

STEAM Education® is a Japanese-originated educational method that reconstructs the concepts of Science (Science), Technology (Technology), Engineering (Engineering), Art (Arts and Humanities), and Mathematics (Mathematics) to suit the developmental stage of infants and young children.

At its core are two concepts: 'Active Learning' and 'Edutainment'.

In Active Learning, children themselves have questions such as 'Why?' and 'How can I do it?', think for themselves, try things out, and learn actively through dialogue with friends.

In Edutainment, intellectual curiosity and anticipation such as 'I can do it' and 'I want to try it' are the driving force for learning, and exploration is deepened through play while being engrossed.

STEAM Education® combines these two to repeat the cycle of 'noticing', 'having questions', 'trying', 'thinking', and 'expressing' in daily childcare, cultivating non-cognitive abilities such as autonomy, creativity, collaboration, and perseverance that are needed in future society.

It is also a major feature that caregivers do not unilaterally teach answers, but aim to explore questions together with children.

'Why do colors mix?' — The bud of science (Science) spreading from color water play. Searching for living things in the mudflats. It is in nature that there are seeds of learning.

A Practical Method Born from the Childcare Field

STEAM Education® is not an educational program born from theory alone.

Since 2019, Azery Group has started conceptualizing with its management as the core, and since 2021, it has been practicing in various facilities of the group, researching and verifying 'what kind of environment and caregiver involvement is necessary for children to think and act on their own', and systematizing it.

Currently, it is engaged as a practical method that develops daily childcare itself into exploratory activities, such as nature experiences, scientific play, food education, production, and exercise.

Confirming 'change' with your own hands. Food education is also an important exploratory activity.

From Practice in Vietnam to Southeast Asia

In 2022, an MOU (cooperation agreement) was concluded with a university in Danang, Vietnam, and practical classes and caregiver training of STEAM Education® were conducted locally.

Through overseas practice, it was confirmed that STEAM Education®, based on Japanese childcare culture, can be utilized in different cultures and educational environments, and cooperation with local educational institutions has been deepened.

This achievement has led to the challenge of the EDU-Port Nippon project this time and the expansion to Thailand and Indonesia.

The Progress of STEAM Education®

2019

Conceptualization of STEAM Education

2021

Introduction to Azery Group

2022

MOU with Danang University in Vietnam / Implementation of practical classes locally

2023

Trademark registration of 'STEAM Education®'

2025.4

Establishment of STEAM Education Research Association

2025.5.29

Publication of Kodansha 'STEAM Education Connecting to the Future'

2025.11

Exhibition at Childcare Expo

2026

Selected for MEXT EDU-Port Nippon Support Project / Expansion to Thailand and Indonesia begins

STEAM Education Research Association — Collaboration between Universities and Childcare Sites

The research and dissemination of STEAM Education® is being promoted by the 'STEAM Education Research Association' established in April 2025 by the Future Creation Research Institute of Azery Group.

Professor Yasufumi Kawamura, Professor of the Next Generation Education Department of the Pacific University and Director of the International Science and Education Research Institute, has been appointed as the chairman of the association, and Komei Kurusu, representative of Azery Group, and Mihoko Chiba, principal of Nagisa Kindergarten of Azery Gakuen, have been appointed as vice chairpersons. Under a research system where university researchers and childcare sites collaborate, the research, practice, and dissemination of STEAM Education® are being promoted by integrating theory and practice.

Currently, the association has about 100 members, including corporations and individuals, and STEAM Education® has been introduced in 15 kindergartens.

The STEAM Education Research Association is a research organization operated by the Future Creation Research Institute of Azery Group. University researchers, caregivers, and educational institutions collaborate to promote the research, practice, and dissemination of STEAM Education®.

Book Publication — 'STEAM Education Connecting to the Future'

In addition, on May 29, 2025, the book 'STEAM Education Connecting to the Future' was published by Kodansha, disseminating a wide range of practical examples, including infants, young children, and food education, to the nation.

A scene from the seminar held to commemorate the publication of 'STEAM Education Connecting to the Future' (Kodansha / Published on May 29, 2025). Researchers and childcare sites appeared on the stage together.

Exhibition at Childcare Expo — Introduction to Education and Childcare Professionals Nationwide

Furthermore, in November of the same year, it participated in the Childcare Expo and introduced STEAM Education® to education and childcare professionals, among others, promoting its dissemination activities within Japan.

Reiwa 8th Year MEXT 'Japanese Education Overseas Expansion (EDU-Port Nippon) Support Project Selection'

Selected for the 'Japanese Education Overseas Expansion (EDU-Port Nippon) Support Project' in Reiwa 8th Year

Japanese-originated STEAM Education® will expand to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of Indonesia.

Representative Comment

STEAM Education® was not born from special teaching materials or facilities. It was born from caregivers carefully facing the expressions of children that say 'I wonder why' and 'I want to try' in daily childcare. It is a method born from the field.

Japanese early childhood education has long cherished 'play

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