First-year junior high school student Hamamoto Maria (浜本 まりあ) won the women's doubles title at the 53rd National Junior High School Tennis Championships. She remains enrolled at a local public junior high school while studying at an online alternative school.
Hamamoto Maria (浜本 まりあ), a first-year junior high school student, won the women's doubles title at the 53rd National Junior High School Tennis Championships held in August 2026. She is pursuing a professional career, receiving corporate support and competing in overseas tournaments. She remains enrolled at a public junior high school and continues her studies through an online alternative school offering video-based lessons and other programs.
Using both a school and an alternative school is said to allow flexible arrangements, such as recognizing attendance and reflecting the work in school report cards. Although the decision to recognize attendance is at the principal's discretion, learning outside school may be formally recognized as an educational opportunity under Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology notices and the framework of the Act on Securing Educational Opportunities.
There are various reasons for school nonattendance. Some children do not fit their school environment, while others study outside school to focus on areas they want to pursue. The system calls for diverse learning opportunities to be secured, but in practice the support available varies by region and school.
The author has long been involved in supporting children who do not attend school and explains that coordination among schools, families and learning environments outside school can support their efforts. The article combines an explanation of the system, the realities of using it and future challenges, conveying the importance of support tailored to individual circumstances.