[Why does Harvard accept homeless high school students?] Beyond test scores: How to raise a globally-standard 'independent 18-year-old'? The long-awaited new book in the bestseller series, 'What the World's Elite Teach Their Children,' is released today!

Crossmedia Publishing, a company specializing in business and practical books, will release the book 'What the World's Elite Teach Their Children' on June 2, 2026. The book focuses on the '18-year-old profile' sought by prestigious American universities, introducing educational methods practiced by parents and schools worldwide from kindergarten through high school. Topics include why 'daddy's girls' are more common in the US than in Japan, the importance of 'smartphone-free zones' at the dinner table and in bedrooms, and teaching children how to manage money rather than just giving it to them. This is a must-read for parents, educators, and anyone concerned about the state of education in Japan. As the latest in a bestseller series with over 300,000 copies sold, the book is written by Akihiko Reizei, an author and journalist who has lived in Princeton, New Jersey, for 33 years, raising three children and working in Japanese education. He addresses how to raise children and what messages to convey as they grow in an era of simultaneous AI revolution and globalization. What is required of humans in the future is not merely knowledge or memorization. The author consistently emphasizes the global standard of 'becoming independent at 18.' In many countries, including the US, entering university is not just about obtaining a degree, but a starting point for taking responsibility for one's own life—learning and making decisions away from parents. Maturity is valued in various aspects, including self-management, debate skills, presentation abilities, involvement in sports and arts, and the ability to overcome difficulties. The book uses the '18-year-old profile' expected by elite American universities as a starting point to consider modern parenting and education. It explores what kind of talent succeeds in a global society and what human strengths cannot be replaced by AI. For example, Harvard has accepted 'homeless high school students' like Dawn Loggins (2012) and Liz Murray (2000) who were excellent despite their circumstances. Why? Because they fit the university's 'desired student profile.' They are individuals who will work hard, influence others positively, and enhance the university's reputation through future success. Furthermore, traditional schools know from experience that admitting students with 'richer histories' helps preserve their traditions. American top schools value 'experiences' gained through overcoming poverty. This perspective differs significantly from Japan, where there is concern about 'experience gaps'—the idea that comprehensive selection processes favor wealthy families who can 'buy' experiences. In the US, children are trained in public speaking from kindergarten through 'Show and Tell.' Sharing household chores is not just about labor, but about acquiring 'life skills' for university and independent living. Budget management is taught to cultivate financial sense. Sports and arts are not just hobbies but opportunities to develop leadership, cooperation, and expression. Regarding adolescence, the author argues against over-managing children, emphasizing the importance of 'letting them experience failure,' 'supporting mature growth,' and above all, 'watching over them.' The author points out that many 'daddy's girls' have good relationships with their fathers because they balance 'quietly watching' with 'teaching daughters what the father loves.' The book also covers modern themes like smartphone and SNS usage, family trips, school events, and mental health, providing practical hints.