Tabayama Village Formulates Educational Outline Based on the Jena Plan Education

Yamanashi Prefecture's Tabayama Village (Mayor Yoshito Kinoshita) has recently formulated its "Educational Outline*1," which outlines the village's educational administration policy starting from fiscal year 2026. The target period is four years, up to fiscal year 2029. The outline specifies the promotion of "Tabayama Style Loose Jena Education*3," which flexibly incorporates the principles of "Jena Plan Education*2," a German educational method that emphasizes learning autonomy and coexistence while respecting each individual, to the extent possible.

As of March 1, 2026, Tabayama Village has a population of 489, less than 1/4 of its peak. As a measure against population decline, the village launched the "Parent-Child Mountain Village Study Abroad Program" in 1992, and has since welcomed nearly 100 children and their families. More than half of the 24 elementary and junior high school students in the current fiscal year are utilizing this program, making it indispensable for maintaining local schools.

To become a village chosen by families with children, promoting distinctive school development is essential. Tabayama Village began community school activities (School Management Council) in fiscal year 2022. While leveraging the characteristics of a small school, the village is actively working to enhance detailed education tailored to each individual's personality and abilities, experiential activities that expose students to local industries and traditional culture, and intergenerational interaction through collaboration between nursery schools, elementary schools, and junior high schools.

While continuing these distinctive initiatives, the village sought ways to clearly communicate its educational policy. It was discovered that there were many commonalities between the basic concepts of Jena Plan Education, a German educational method, and the educational direction the village aims for. By flexibly incorporating the ideas of Jena Plan Education, "Tabayama Style Loose Jena Education" was born as Tabayama Village's unique approach to education. The name "Loose Jena" is used with official permission from the "Japan Jena Plan Education Association," which promotes the development and dissemination of Jena Plan Education in Japan.

Tabayama Village will hold an information session on "Tabayama Style Loose Jena Education" on April 25th (Saturday) from 2:00 PM in Tokyo. Details will be announced later on the village's official website and other channels.

*1 Educational Outline: A plan that sets comprehensive goals and fundamental policies for the promotion of regional education, academia, and culture. It serves as a guideline for educational policies tailored to local conditions and is decided by the head of the municipality after deliberation by the Comprehensive Education Council. In Tabayama Village, deliberations by the formulation committee were repeated from July 2025, and the outline was decided at the Tabayama Village Comprehensive Education Council in February 2026.

Tabayama Village Educational Outline

*2 Jena Plan Education: An educational method developed in Germany that respects individuality and fosters autonomy and coexistence. It is characterized by children of different ages learning together and creating their own learning plans. It aligns with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's concepts of "individually optimal learning" and "collaborative learning," and is gaining attention as an education that cultivates the skills needed to live in future society.

*3 Tabayama Style Loose Jena Education: An initiative that flexibly incorporates Jena Plan Education into the village's education to the extent possible, based on its principles. It is used uniquely by Tabayama Village with the permission of the Japan Jena Plan Education Association.