NEW!
With Ms. Umemoto on October 21, 2026.
I recently met with Ms. Umemoto after a long time, and we were able to talk about many things.
I met Ms. Umemoto when I was working as a student guidance counselor at a junior high school. I wanted to create a school where children could learn about society and seriously think for themselves about various issues.
With that in mind, I was working to create a school that valued human rights. I also felt the need to connect with people outside the school, so without any connections whatsoever, I frantically knocked on doors everywhere.
That's when I met Mr. Umemoto. We've known each other for about 20 years now.
Even after I became vice-principal and then principal, and even after I started creating Physis with the children, whenever I hit a wall, they would always give me advice.
I have learned so much from Ms. Umemoto. Currently, Ms. Umemoto is involved in various activities such as youth guidance counseling, school management committees, and community education councils, while also continuing to connect with children and local people through sports and cultural activities such as baseball, softball, taiko drumming, and music. Her attitude hasn't changed since we first met.
Once again, we were able to discuss various aspects of school education and social education.
I would like to continue learning while connecting with various people.
2026.10.5
Lunch meeting with Yasuko Kimura
I had lunch with Yasuko Kimura, who travels all over Japan trying to change the structure of schools, and members of TAF Physis.
Ms. Kimura was the main guest at both the first and second TAF Physis events, and has continued to care about and support our activities ever since.
Once again, we heard many interesting stories about education and schools.
Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule.
Going forward, Physis will continue to work with students, taking one step at a time, to pursue activities that are uniquely ours.
Here are comments from Physis members and participants after completing six trials.
<Participant Feedback>
It was great talking to the university students.
It was great to hear about what university students are up to and hear about all sorts of things.
Please come again!
I'm glad I was able to experience so many new things.
It gave me an opportunity to reflect on myself and think about the future.
I was also able to think about what I want to do in the future.
I hope you'll come again.
I was only able to participate twice, but I had a great time.
It gave me the opportunity to rethink things like my future and my hobbies.
I came almost every time. There were so many different things to do, and it was really fun.
It was really fun.
I was able to learn things I didn't know before.
I hope they do more events like this.
Pysis one more!
<Reflections from participating Physis members>
By participating in this event and working together with everyone, I was able to learn a great deal myself.
Interacting with everyone allowed me to participate while having fun myself.
Personally, I wish I had known more things when I was in middle school and high school.
Sometimes I think that if I had known more about those things, I might have aimed for this place too.
Of course, I don't think that all the experience I've had so far has been wasted.
However, I believe that by learning more about different things and gaining more diverse experiences, my own potential and options will broaden.
If I can continue doing this, I would like to talk to everyone more and share things like, "You should try this," or "Why don't we try this together?"
Thank you so much for the six times.
After completing six trials
2026.9.25
On September 3, 2026, we conducted the 6th trial.
The program consists of six sessions, and the final session is "Culture Day!"
This time, the theme is "the world."
We started with a quiz themed around the world.
This turned out to be more exciting than I expected.
Some questions were ones I knew the answer to, while others left me wondering, "Hmm, which one is it?"
We all discuss and brainstorm together, and each time we come up with an answer, we get excited again.
And in the second half, we'll be looking at sweets from around the world.
We lined up sweets from various countries and first tried to guess which country they were from based on the lettering and appearance of the packaging.
Once we've confirmed the answer, we'll all try eating it.
From here on out, it gets incredibly lively!
"This is delicious!"
"It's spicy!"
"What flavor is this?"
Even when eating the same food, people react differently.
My favorite sweets, the first country I ever learned about, and the country I'd like to visit.
Our conversations, sparked by our shared interest in food, gradually expanded to include countries and cultures we hadn't known before.
What was written on the whiteboard that day was:
"The world is much bigger than you think!"
There are countries I don't know about.
There are cultures I don't know about.
And there are some flavors I've never tasted before.
First, try to find out more.
Let's actually try eating it.
Then, we all talk about it.
The final episode was a fun and exciting one, showcasing the vastness of the world! 😊
This concludes all six new trials.
What happened and what became clear over the course of these six episodes?
I'd like to reflect on that again at a later time.
On September 2, 2026, we conducted the fifth of a six-part new trial.
This time the theme is "Manufacturing Day!"
The university students prepared slime making, candle making, and bath bomb making. However, they hadn't decided what to make from the beginning.
I asked everyone, "Which one do you want to make?" and this time we decided on slime and candles. Once the materials were spread out, everyone started creating their own things. They chose colors, scents, and thought about how much to add. Once they started, everyone was serious.
University students and middle/high school students worked together, listening to each other, teaching each other, and showing each other their finished products. Even using the same materials, the colors, shapes, and finishes were all different. Of course, things didn't always turn out as planned. But even so, there are things you can only learn by doing. Choosing what you want to do and actually putting your hands to work—I realized that making things isn't just about the finished product, but the process itself is also fascinating.
Despite all the ups and downs, the fifth event was lively and fun right to the end.
The six-part trial is finally down to its last session.
Next time, it's "Culture Day!"
September 1, 2026
We conducted the fourth of a six-part new trial.
Today's theme is "Imagine Living Alone Day!"
"If you were to start living alone tomorrow, what would you have for dinner?"
It all started with that question.
Cook at home? Eat out? Get delivery?
Let's each think about it first.
And this time, instead of just thinking about it, let's actually do it! So, we all made yakisoba together.
They looked at the ingredients, thought about what to do, decided on roles, and encouraged each other. University students and middle/high school students all worked together to bake, make, and eat.
Of course, there's no single right answer when it comes to living alone.
"What would you do?"
First, think for yourself and try it out. Then, try to hear other people's ideas as well.
I feel like we've reached a point where such things can happen naturally.
This time too, I mostly just watched.
These six activities were conceived and created from scratch by our university students.
Rather than me teaching something, I'd prefer university students and middle/high school students to think, laugh, and try things together.
Watching them like that is quite amusing.
There are only two trials left out of the total of six.
Next time, it's "Exciting Research Day!"
So, what will happen next? I'm looking forward to finding out.
August 28, 2026
We held the third of a six-part new trial. This time the theme was "Teamwork Day!"
I was a little surprised when our members told me beforehand that they had created the game themselves. But at the same time, I was also a little worried about whether the junior and senior high school students who would be participating would enjoy it.
Eleven people participated on the day. Once it started, there was no need to worry. They enjoyed it more than we expected. Everyone thought together, encouraged each other, laughed, and tried again and again. Our members and the middle and high school students all had a great time together.
We played a card game for a bit along the way. I mostly watched this time too, and it was reassuring to see them having fun. What you do is important, of course. But who you do it with, and what kind of time you spend together— I think that's what really matters.
After it was over, we reflected on the event with the staff and our team members. We heard a lot of different perspectives. I don't know what the right answer is. That's why I'll listen to what different people have to say, think about it, and try again.
This marks the halfway point of the six-part trial. Three more sessions to go. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens .
August 24, 2026
We conducted the second of a six-part new trial.
The theme for this event is "Let's pursue what we love! A day of crafting."
University students brought together their individual passions and skills, and enjoyed creating things together with junior and senior high school students.
Resin keychains, knitting, nail tips, and many other things people love came together in one place.
Sharing what you love with someone. Trying out something someone else loves. Through such interactions, you might encounter things you never knew before, or discover new things you love.
It's not just about what you created, but also who you spent that time with and how you spent it.
I want to cherish those aspects as well.
The second session also concluded successfully. Next time, it will be "Teamwork Day!" I'm looking forward to seeing how the atmosphere changes little by little.
August 22, 2026
A new trial has begun.
A six-part trial program, created jointly by university students and junior/senior high school students, has begun.
The theme for the first session is "Self-Improvement."
The student members came up with the content themselves and proceeded with the preparations.
On the day of the event, university students and junior/senior high school students spent time together enjoying their own forms of self-improvement, such as makeup, dancing, strength training, and yoga.
In the final review,
"Taking the first step into something new requires courage. But the atmosphere made it easy to take that first step."
There was also the phrase, "..."
The first session has now concluded.
I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of event it will become as we continue to hold it.
August 20, 2026
Student members have created a guide for the "Physis" trial, which will begin this week.
"Physis" is a place for learning and experience created by university students and junior and senior high school students working together.
A new project is finally about to begin.
On August 15, 2026, we held a meeting with our members to discuss new activities. Going forward, we will collaborate with after-school day services and after-school programs to advance new initiatives with children.
This page contains information about TAF Physis's activities, events, and announcements.
