A system has been established under which a school principal may count attendance at a free school operated by an educational institution as school attendance. Cram schools are expanding free-school businesses using their classrooms, and learning support that draws on their expertise and ICT could help create places for children who do not attend school.
Against the backdrop of the enactment of the Act on Securing Educational Opportunities, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology has established a system under which school principals may count attendance at free schools and similar facilities as school attendance if certain requirements are met, promoting cooperation between schools and outside organisations.
In 2025, Meiko Network Japan, a major provider of individualised instruction, launched Meiko Free School using Meiko Gijuku classrooms. It aims to provide places for children who do not attend school and learning support by using locations nationwide.
Obata Kazuki (小幡和輝), who has a background in an education venture, is involved in the operation. Based on his experience launching the online free-school business Class Japan Elementary and Junior High School in 2018, he determined that an in-person “place to learn together” was also important.
Obata Kazuki (小幡和輝) transferred the free-school operation to the Meiko Group and now serves as representative of Meiko Mirai, working with Class Japan to provide local children with a place for learning.