Profile

Graduated from Keio University and founded NPO Katariba in 2001, becoming its president. Promotes public education reform by engaging with teenagers from a nonparental, nonteacher standpoint, encouraging dialogue on such issues as inquiry-based learning and review of school rules, as well as addressing “opportunity gaps” caused by natural disasters, poverty, and absenteeism. Established the Hatachi Fund in 2011 to support children (through age 20) affected by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, and became its president. Established the Platform for Sustainable Education and Community in 2017 to advance initiatives enabling urban high school students to “study abroad” at public schools in rural areas, becoming its director. Is a member of the Central Council for Education of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology; a member of the Children and Families Agency’s taskforce on creating children-friendly spaces; an extramural member of the University of Tokyo’s Administrative Council; a member of the Tokyo metropolitan government’s expert panel on diverse learning opportunities outside of school; and a public editor at the Asahi Shimbun. Is also the author of NPO Katariba ga minna to tsukutta futoko-oyako no tame no kyokasho (A Textbook for Absentees and Parents Created by NPO Katariba) (Diamond, 2023).