Free Online Summit for Parents: 'Revolution Summit for School Non-Attendance in the AI Era' on September 23, 2026 (Wed, Holiday)

"Will my child really be able to live a fulfilling life as an adult?"

When a child stops attending school, parents are overwhelmed by uncertainty—especially about their child’s future.

Then comes the next question: "How can we get them back to school?"

The longer a child stays away from school, the more anxiety builds.

But what actually happens to children who never return?

Information on this is rarely shared.

Discussions around school non-attendance have overwhelmingly focused on either "how to return" or reassurances that "it’s okay not to return."

According to the latest survey published by Japan’s Ministry of Education in October 2025 (※1), the number of elementary and junior high school students not attending school reached 353,970—a record high for the 12th consecutive year.

This figure—over 350,000—is no longer an exception. It represents roughly 1 in every 26 students.

Meanwhile, the education system itself is quietly changing.

Starting in FY2024 (Reiwa 6), the same survey began tracking students whose off-campus or at-home learning was reflected in academic records—now totaling 81,467 students.

The number of students receiving attendance credit for ICT-based learning at home (using computers or tablets) has also increased to 13,261 (up from 10,467 the previous year).

The idea that "learning can happen without forcing attendance at school" is now appearing in national statistics.

Yet, stories about what happens *after* children don’t return remain largely untold.

That’s why, on September 23, 2026 (Wednesday, national holiday), we are hosting a completely free online summit—to let those who built meaningful lives outside the school system share their journeys.

Organized by Nijiiro Mirai Design Academy, which supports parenting children with developmental traits and school non-attendance (operated by Ability Lab Inc., CEO: Hiromi Izumi).

※1 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT): “Survey Results on Problem Behaviors and School Non-Attendance among Students in FY2024 (Reiwa 6)” (Published October 29, Reiwa 7; Partially revised January 16, Reiwa 8)

https://www.mext.go.jp/a_menu/shotou/seitoshidou/1302902.htm

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Why This Summit?

Hiromi Izumi, the organizer, has personally experienced school non-attendance with all three of her own children.

With her eldest son, she endured two years of despair as he suffered full-body hives and vision problems, crying, "I want to go to school, but my body won’t move."

In contrast, when her youngest daughter developed similar symptoms and declared, "I absolutely don’t want to go to school," she returned within just one week. Her school nurse said, "I never thought she could come back so quickly."

The difference wasn’t luck or talent.

"There are six stages of school non-attendance, and parents’ roles differ completely at each stage. It all came down to whether I knew that or not," says Izumi.

Drawing on 20 years of experience in this field, she adds:

"School non-attendance isn’t an ‘end’—it’s the ‘beginning of happiness.’ To those currently struggling, this may sound unbelievable. I, too, wandered endlessly through a dark tunnel with no light ahead. But beyond that tunnel lies a brilliantly shining future."

This summit is a day dedicated to opening that bright future—through the voices of people who’ve already lived it.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Why 'in the AI Era'?

Routine tasks like calculations, memorization, and fixed procedural work will increasingly be handled by AI.

AI will also compensate for areas where humans struggle.

In the past, value was placed on overcoming weaknesses and developing well-rounded abilities.

But in the coming AI era, that changes.

Now, what matters is the ability to passionately pursue interests, think independently, create original ideas, embrace uniqueness, and take action on curiosity. The ability to use AI to explosively amplify these strengths is what will be valued.

The talents of children who didn’t fit into the traditional school mold are now aligning with the skills needed to thrive in this new era.

The age of valuing those who can quickly produce correct answers is ending.

We can now reframe school non-attendance as an "entry point to talent"—because such an era has finally arrived.

Notably, two of the four summit speakers are AI practitioners.

Keiji Tada leads AI communities with over 8,000 members; Keiyuki Tanaka leads over 13,000. Both co-manage the "GPTs Research Group" (approx. 9,000 members).

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Four Speakers — Each Showing 'What Comes Next'

▼ Keiji Tada (Tada-kun)

― How parents can avoid crushing their child’s talent

Born in 1980, based in Nagano Prefecture, father of three.

After his eldest son became non-attending in first grade, he spent nearly a decade supporting children in similar situations.

After periods of comparing himself to others and feeling anxious and desperate, he quit his job and spent two years as a full-time caregiver, fully dedicating himself to family.

By truly believing in and accepting his children as they were, he witnessed talents and sensitivities—immeasurable by school standards—flourish. All three of his children have since developed remarkable artistic abilities.

He launched his own company in 2021 and now serves as CEO of AI MUNIQ Inc. and an "AI Bloom Marketer," supporting entrepreneurs and executives in AI adoption, training AI instructors, and managing AI communities.

He has hosted over 3,500 participants in AI seminars, conducted over 700 live AI application broadcasts, and leads AI communities totaling over 8,000 members.

"Time away from school isn’t falling behind—it’s time to deepen what your child loves."

"In the AI era, the ability to deeply pursue passions is more valuable than average performance."

▶ Key takeaway: How parents can interact without crushing their child’s talent

▼ Ginnosuke Sannou

― The option to live without a conventional job

An eco-village builder who creates clothing, food, and shelter using only locally available natural materials. He travels globally, having received requests to build circular eco-villages from 21 countries.

In his 20s, he ran three companies and even dialogued with a former prime minister—seemingly a rising star. But then he crashed, hitting rock bottom three times after initial success.

From a hunting-and-gathering life in the forest—having abandoned everything—he discovered a way of living without striving: the "Law of Full Automation."

Based on “Picture Book Village Genesis” in Ishigaki Island, he runs the “Children’s Travel Support Project,” helping cover airfare for children, and hosts parent-child eco-village experience events. Since 2019, he has offered a new form of education to help children who struggle with school develop life skills.

Starting March 2026, he will expand nationwide with approximately