New Book by Licensed Psychologist Yuta Wanibuchi Analyzes Structural Gaps in Support for School-Refusing Children

The number of students refusing to attend school in Japan continues to rise, presenting a challenge where existing support frameworks fail to reach the children in need. Licensed psychologist Yuta Wanibuchi released the third volume of his series, 'A World with Insufficient Amperage,' on June 1, 2026, to analyze these structural factors.

According to a FY2024 survey by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the number of school-refusing elementary and junior high school students reached a record high of 353,970. Approximately 40% (136,000 students) are not connected to any support organization. Furthermore, about 67,000 children (1 in 5) are in a state of 'complete isolation,' defined as being absent for 90 days or more without receiving any external support.

Wanibuchi identifies 'four structural gaps' preventing support from reaching children:

- Gap 1: Mismatch between child needs and operational logic There is a lack of service design that simultaneously satisfies the needs of the child, the parents, and the school operators.

- Gap 2: Pressure within the home Approximately 1 in 5 parents of school-refusing children leave or take leave from work, with 70.1% citing child support as the reason. Well-intentioned words from parents can inadvertently strip the home of its security.

- Gap 3: Economic and geographical disparities With the average monthly cost of alternative schools at approximately 45,000 yen, about 60% of parents feel a financial strain. Access to support has become highly dependent on household income and location.

- Gap 4: The obsession with group socialization Socialization is built on a foundation of safety with specific individuals, not the size of the group. Safety must come before group integration.

The author concludes that the root cause of these four gaps lies in 'trying to change the child.' Instead of changing the child, adults must shift their own perspectives to foster change.

[Book Series Information] - Vol. 1: 'Children Living in a World with Insufficient Amperage' (Released Jan 23, 2026) - Vol. 2: 'Former Children Who Lived in a World with Insufficient Amperage' (Released Mar 20, 2026) - Vol. 3: 'A World with Insufficient Amperage: Scientifically Analyzing the Mismatch' (Released June 1, 2026)