Elementary and Junior High School Students in Sanmu City, Chiba Prefecture Practice 'Make, Sell, and Communicate' - A Market Experience Project Connecting with the Community

The NIJIN Academy Project (operated by NIJIN Inc., headquartered in Koto-ku, Tokyo, represented by CEO Tatsuro Hoshino) will hold a practical financial education program for elementary and junior high school students called the 'Market Experience Project' over four sessions starting June 12, 2025.

This project will be based at the NIJIN Academy Togane School in Togane City, Chiba Prefecture, where children will experience product planning, creation, pricing, and sales. On the final day, August 12, 2025, an actual market will be held at 'Community House Hiroba' in Sanmu City, Chiba Prefecture, where the children themselves will sell their products to local residents.

Project Background: Creating Opportunities to Learn Financial and Career Education through 'Experience'

In recent years, the importance of financial and career education has been increasing. Since the 2022 academic year, financial education has become compulsory in high school home economics classes, increasing opportunities for students to acquire knowledge about money.

On the other hand, there are not many opportunities for children to actually plan products, set prices, and sell them to customers.

Furthermore, with the development of AI making access to knowledge easier, today's society requires not only the ability to memorize knowledge but also the ability to think independently, take action, and create value while interacting with others.

The NIJIN Academy Project values children learning from 'real experiences' through practical learning connected to the community, companies, and society.

This project aims to help children learn about the flow of money and the mechanisms of work, as well as cultivate the ability to challenge themselves, communicate, and learn from failure, by having them plan, create, and sell products themselves.

The market day will also provide opportunities for interaction with local residents, allowing children to feel a connection to society. This project was planned with the aim of broadening children's future options and possibilities through practical learning that cannot be obtained at school alone.

Three Things to Gain from This Project

① Learn the Flow of Money Through Practice

Children will handle everything from product creation to pricing and sales themselves. By thinking about 'how much to sell for,' 'how much the materials cost,' and 'how to get customers to buy,' they will experientially learn about the flow of money and the mechanism of value.

② Develop the Ability to Think and Challenge Oneself

In this project, children themselves think about products and sales methods. Not everything will go smoothly, but through the experience of trial and error and challenging themselves, they will cultivate the ability to think and act independently.

③ Develop the Ability to Connect with Society and Communicate with Others

On the market day, children will actually sell their products to local residents. Through the experience of conveying the appeal of their products and communicating with customers, they will develop interpersonal and communication skills. Furthermore, the experience of having something they made bring joy to others will boost their self-esteem and confidence.

Schedule

This project will be conducted over four sessions.

Session 1: Kick-off and Planning Date & Time: June 11, 2025 (Thursday) 16:30-17:30 - Team member introductions - Project explanation - Brainstorming product ideas

Session 2: Product Development and Customer Attraction Preparation Date & Time: July 13, 2025 (Monday) 16:30-17:30 - Product progress check - Preparation for sales - Planning customer attraction methods

Session 3: Sales Preparation and Pricing Date & Time: August 6, 2025 (Thursday) 16:30-17:30 - Product pricing - Creating a sales plan - Final confirmation for the day

Session 4: Market Sales Experience Date & Time: August 12, 2025 (Wednesday) 10:30-: Setup and sales preparation 11:00-15:00: Market sales 15:00-: Reflection and cleanup Venue: Community House Hiroba (Sanmu City, Chiba Prefecture)

Overview

Date & Time: Starting June 11, 2025 (Thursday), 4 sessions total Venue: NIJIN Academy Togane School (details provided after registration) Participation Fee: 4,400 yen Target: Elementary and junior high school students Capacity: Limited number Application Method: Purchase a free ticket via Peatix *https://peatix.com/event/5016662

What is the NIJIN Academy Project School?

An inquiry-based after-school program that elementary and junior high school students across the country can participate in online. It is a new learning environment where children launch and execute projects connected to society, based on their own interests and concerns. Centered on 'practical learning connected to society,' 'dialogue with professionals,' and 'child-led project promotion,' it provides 'real experiences' that cannot be obtained from textbook-centered learning. As a third learning space beyond school and home, it connects each child's individuality and curiosity to social value. Through the process of finding issues, planning, and realizing them, children cultivate the ability to 'think independently, take action, and deliver value to society.' The aim is to create a future where all children can challenge themselves in their own way, free from the constraints of existing education. ▶ Official HP: https://project.nijin.co.jp/

About NIJIN Inc.

With the philosophy of 'Illuminating the country through education,' NIJIN is a 'JAPAN EDUCATION COMPANY' that solves educational issues from a systemic perspective. Sensing a national crisis in the fact that too many children cannot express themselves in today's schools, former elementary school teacher Tatsuro Hoshino founded the company in April 2022 to create a country where everyone can have 'hope' in education. The company operates 13 systems (businesses) to solve various educational problems, including school refusal, teacher shortages, teachers' working styles, and the state of schools.

Inquiries

NIJIN Academy Togane School, Contact: Sato