Poplar Publishing's 'MottoSokka!' ICT Platform Adopted by All Elementary Schools in Minamifurano Town, Hokkaido

Overview of Adoption Poplar Publishing has announced that its education ICT platform 'MottoSokka!', which includes the unlimited-reading digital library 'Yomokka!' and the online encyclopedia service 'Sagasokka!', has been adopted by both elementary schools in Minamifurano Town, Hokkaido. Approximately 100 students have begun utilizing these services to support reading activities and learning, accessible from anywhere.

Background and Objectives Tatsuya Nishikawa, Chief of the Minamifurano Town Board of Education, explained that the adoption was triggered by concerns from teachers that students were reading less and losing their ability to comprehend text. While traditional paper books have the appeal of turning pages, the manual process of borrowing and returning books presented a hurdle. By introducing digital books, the aim was to create an environment where students can more easily access a diverse range of books and information.

Service Features - **Yomokka! (Digital Library)**: Based on the concept of 'Anytime, anywhere, as much as you want!', this service provides an unlimited-reading experience to encourage students to explore new books, deepening the engagement of book lovers and providing an entry point for those who struggle with reading. - **Sagasokka! (Online Encyclopedia)**: Based on the 'Comprehensive Encyclopedia Poplar-dia, 3rd Edition', this service provides a digital reference resource. It contains over 31,000 entries, including the latest terms and words relevant to students' daily lives, allowing for simultaneous access anytime and anywhere.

Outlook Although the implementation is in its early stages, students are already discussing books more frequently, and the convenience of multiple students accessing the same book simultaneously is being recognized. Poplar Publishing aims to continue fostering a cycle of spontaneous learning sparked by curiosity through 'MottoSokka!'.