FoundingBase, a promoter of 'Education-based Community Development,' speaks at the Japan Afterschool Society 'Chilverse Forum 2026'

FoundingBase (HQ: Setagaya, Tokyo; CEO: Kenji Yamamoto), which co-creates community development projects with 25 municipalities across Japan, spoke at the 'Chilverse Forum 2026' hosted by the Japan Afterschool Society on May 17, 2026.

During the event, the company shared its approach to co-creating 'after-school' environments in rural areas, highlighting its high school revitalization efforts through the public tutoring center 'Kotonoba,' which it operates in Daigo Town, Ibaraki Prefecture. Its insights on the sustainability of education in regional communities and mechanisms for securing human resources attracted significant interest from experts and educators in attendance.

Event Overview 'After-school' time for children today encompasses a wide range of activities, including after-school care, club activities, tutoring, and lessons. The definition of 'children' also spans from infants to university students; high school and university students are not only individuals who 'spend time after school' but also those who 'support after-school environments' through volunteering and internships.

This forum was held with the objective of fostering dialogue on the future of after-school environments among approximately 100 individuals from diverse backgrounds, including welfare-based NPOs, after-school clubs, professional researchers, and members of the private education industry, addressing the increasing complexity of these environments.

FoundingBase presented its role in promoting the planning and operation of public tutoring centers and high school revitalization projects in collaboration with local governments, schools, and communities.

Highlights of the Day The main case study featured was the public tutoring center 'Kotonoba' in Daigo Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, which has grown into a hub used by approximately 200 high school students over the three years from FY2023 to FY2025. In FY2025, it achieved significant results, including numerous admissions to national and public universities, a local employment rate of approximately 40%, and the recruitment of three students into the Daigo Town Hall, demonstrating its success in cultivating talent to lead the region's future.

FoundingBase’s business model—where private companies take the lead in building deep trust with government, schools, and local communities, and staff members move into the region to work alongside children in their challenges—drew enthusiastic questions from the audience.

Specifically, discussions covered essential questions such as 'What are the fundamental challenges for continuing educational projects in rural areas?', 'How do you secure and train passionate talent like yours in regions facing a shortage of regional leaders?', and 'How do you involve local resources and horizontal connections to enhance sustainability?'

FoundingBase’s Vision for Regional Education FoundingBase believes that public tutoring centers are not just a means for improving grades or test scores, but a 'future investment.' Deep educational experiences in the field—learning and challenging oneself—foster children's attachment to the region and create a multilayered population connected to it.

In the upcoming 'Hometown Resident Registration System' (scheduled for full implementation in January 2027), local governments face the challenge of whether they will be the first 'hometown' recalled by people among many regions.

Experiences deeply engaging with local people and resources during formative years become a strong core that allows people to remember and remain connected to that town as their origin, even if they leave for further education or employment. Through education, we provide youth with long-term 'points of contact' that are not fleeting, creating sustainable circular movement of people.

Following the positive reception at the forum, FoundingBase will actively expand and strengthen research cooperation, including hosting site visits and collecting data, for municipal officials, boards of education, and research institutions/students nationwide. By allowing stakeholders to directly experience business models tailored to local challenges and characteristics—like 'Kotonoba' in Daigo Town and 'Jiyuku' in Shimanto Town, Kochi Prefecture—the company aims to help solve common national issues like 'high school sustainability' and 'lack of social education providers,' accelerating regional co-creation efforts.