Let’s digitalize schools

 　In 2009, OECD “Learning speed research” PISA was conducted.  In mathematical literacy, Japan came in 9th and 5th in scientific literacy.  In 2000, Japan ranked 1st and 2nd respectively.  Needless to say, it’s a major drop in learning speed.  Although these figures are increasing now, education in Japan hasn’t got the spark it had in the past. 　The ratio of public education funds to GDP in Japan is the lowest in OECD...

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Let’s change the self-restraint trend

　An elementary school banned SNS among mothers of the students.  They said it was because it could lead to complaints toward the school.  Today, Japan is filled with this kind of “self-restraint” trend. 　After the earthquake in 2011, many places outside of the damaged areas restrained from hosting festivals and other recreational activities.  TV ads disappeared for a while.  Personally, I believe this kind of trend is our...

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Workshop Collection, festival for creative activities

　The path that leads to Keio University, a few hundred meters in length, gets packed with parents and children.  Once a year, children gather and fill this town with joyful cheers and shouts.  It’s the opening of “Workshop Collection”, a workshop gallery for children for creating creative contents. It’s all here, orthodox analog workshops to those using the latest digital technology.  It’s also a great opportunity for researchers,...

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First Turning Point For Media In 20 Years.

 　In the past 3 years, media has gone through the biggest wave of changes in 20 years. In the early 90s, there was a “multi-media” boom, which was a turning point from the analog to the digital. Transition from TV and phones to computers and cellphones. Transitions from analog broadcasting networks and telephone networks to the digital broadcasting and the Internet. Below are the transitions since these changes. There are 3 new situations. 1)...

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What Comes After Cool Japan.

   - At the Japan Expo that is held in early summer in the suburb of Paris. Men in their 30s dance intensely to the theme songs of Japanese anime. European girls are dressed up in Japanese high school uniforms. 　This Japanese cultural event, which started with 3,000 participants 12 years ago, received 200,000 people in 4 days in 2013. Japanese manga, anime, and games are firmly established overseas. Japanese government is also keeping...

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