"A New Look at Education in Japan!"　Principal Hinoda's Novel Approach Brings Smiles and Inspiration to Schools

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Purpose of Interview: To consider the future of education in Japan based on Principal Hinoda's unique educational theories

Introduction:
Naohiko Hinoda, principal of Chiyoda International Junior High School, has been involved in a series of school reconstructions that began nine years ago at Osaka Prefectural Minoh High School, then Musashino University Junior and Senior High School, Chiyoda Senior High School affiliated with Musashino University, and finally Chiyoda International Junior High School. In his new book, "A School Closer to the World than Todai," Principal Hinoda details the reforms he has made at the schools to date and his message to the children of the year 2050. The text then focuses on Principal Hinoda's unique educational philosophy.

1. the school's background:
Before we begin the interview with Mr. Hinoda, we would like to give readers an overview of the school. Recently, Principal Naohiko Hinoda has been attracting attention as a new innovator in Japanese school education. Musashino University Junior and Senior High School, which has undergone a transformation under the influence of Principal Hinoda, and Chiyoda International Junior and Senior High School, which is riding a new wave of co-education; Chiyoda Jogakuen Junior and Senior High School, which stopped accepting applications in 2018, will operate as an integrated co-educational junior and senior high school from 2022. Since reopening for student recruitment, the school has seen an increase in the number of new students it is attracting, notably the number of boys exceeding the number of girls, which is unusual for a former all-girls school. In the past, the majority of students came from the Johoku area, including Bunkyo, Toshima, and Kita wards, but recently students from the Tokyo Bay area, Minato and Setagaya wards have become more prominent.

2. the unique educational philosophy of Principal Hinoda:.

Reading 30,000 pages of books a year:
Principal Hinoda: I believe that reading books is very effective in building a broad perspective and deep insight. We also tell our students that the guideline for reading is 30,000 pages a year. I believe that when students read a lot, the whole school becomes intellectually vibrant, and it also helps students to share knowledge with each other and develop a spirit of inquiry. Principal Hinoda has a remarkable style in acquiring knowledge and deepening insight. He encourages students to read 30,000 pages of books a year, and this is part of building the breadth and depth of his knowledge. Principal Hinoda said, "If you go to a bookstore and just sit quietly and idly with a book in your hands, the book you want to read will light up and you will find it." The depth of insight brought about by the 30,000 pages of reading per year will bring intellectual vibrancy to the entire school, contributing to the sharing of knowledge and the cultivation of an inquisitive mind.

-What experiences do you think are important for students to have in order for them to grow up?

Principal Hinoda strongly encourages travel as a means of deepening cross-cultural understanding. His endorsement of "travel and meet people!" his endorsement has resonated within the school. I think going on trips and experiencing different cultures, going to places that are different from your everyday life, gives you a sense of 'away from home,' and I think this leads to great personal growth," said Principal Hinoda.

Principal Hinoda sees travel as an opportunity for adventure and believes that visiting different countries and regions provides students with practical and lively learning experiences that cannot be obtained in the classroom or from textbooks. Principal Hinoda believes that travel is a valuable opportunity to hone not only knowledge, but also sensitivity and human skills.

Trips to deepen cross-cultural understanding led to exposure to different languages and customs, and open new perspectives. Students will be exposed to the lives and values of others, which will in turn help them improve their own thinking and understanding. Such exchanges are extremely important in developing an international perspective and in building cooperation and understanding with people from different backgrounds.

Cross-cultural understanding through travel, as advocated by Principal Hinoda, encourages students to stimulate their active curiosity and find new worlds beyond their own boundaries. This approach will foster a culture of diversity and dialogue both inside and outside the school and help students grow as global citizens.

-What should teachers keep in mind to help students grow?

Principal Hinoda: We are not mere transmitters of knowledge but encourage each student to discover his or her own goals and values and to take the initiative to realize them. Today, many abilities are said to be necessary and important, but I believe that the most important thing is for students to take ownership of various things themselves.
In an educational setting, don't you think it is important to value not only knowledge, but also individual dreams and aspirations, and to encourage students to look at themselves and move forward toward the future proactively? I also believe that dialogue and communication are important as students take on new challenges and face up to new challenges. I believe that a deep dialogue can be created when students understand each other's different positions and perspectives, based on cooperation and mutual understanding.

-What do you expect from your students?

Principal Hinoda: I believe that the key to enriching the learning environment is to build a culture of cooperation and respect for different opinions and backgrounds among students through education. I would like to see them create that culture on their own. For example, students should become "little Che Guevaras. This is not just a submissive existence, but an individual who thinks for himself/herself and has the will to actively tackle social issues. We believe that encouraging our students to pursue their own dreams and aspirations and to grow as active contributors to society will be the foundation for transforming our current society and creating a sustainable one.

3. the smiles and excitement that a fresh approach brings:

Principal Hinoda brings new energy to the entire school and to the future of his students, armed with the knowledge and rich values he has gained from his unique experience. His fresh approach is sure to bring smiles and inspiration to school education.

Principal Hinoda's different experiences provide an opportunity to go beyond mere traditional schooling and approach education from a new perspective. Principal Hinoda uses the unique insights he has gained through his career and personal experiences to rethink the entire school and suggest more possibilities to his students.

As a result, the learning and educational environment within the school will have entered a new phase, and students will have discovered themselves and grown through new learning experiences. Principal Hinoda's approach is not merely accumulating knowledge, but helping individual students realize their own dreams and aspirations.

The smiles and stimulation that Principal Hinoda's innovative approach brings about go beyond the confines of school education, creating a strong foundation for future success in society. This will help students develop confidence, flexibility, and creativity, and set them on the path to a better future.

Proposed Rewrite A

-What experiences do you think are important for students to have for them to grow up?

Hinoda: I strongly encourage my students to travel to deepen their understanding of different cultures, and I always tell them, "Travel and meet different people!" I always tell my students, "Go out and meet different people! I believe that coming into contact with different cultures and people is a valuable experience that broadens each individual's horizons. Have you ever had such an experience?

Travel is an opportunity for the adventurous spirit, and I am convinced that for our students, visits to different countries and regions bring practical and lively learning that cannot be obtained in classrooms or textbooks. Travel is a valuable opportunity not only to gain knowledge, but also to develop sensitivity and human skills.

Traveling to deepen cross-cultural understanding opens new perspectives through exposure to different languages and customs. Students will be exposed to the lives and values of others, which will in turn help them improve their own thinking and understanding. Such exchanges are extremely important in developing an international perspective and building cooperation and understanding with people from different backgrounds.

Cross-cultural understanding through travel, as advocated by Principal Hinoda, encourages students to stimulate their active curiosity and find new worlds beyond their own boundaries. This approach will foster a culture of diversity and dialogue both inside and outside the school and help students grow as global citizens.

Proposed Rewrite B

-What should teachers keep in mind to help students grow?

Hinoda: We are not mere transmitters of knowledge but encourage each student to discover his or her own goals and values and to take the initiative to realize them. Today, many abilities are said to be necessary and important, but I believe that the most important thing is for students to take ownership of various things themselves.

In an educational setting, don't you think it is important to value not only knowledge, but also individual dreams and aspirations, and to encourage students to look at themselves and move forward toward the future proactively?

I also believe that dialogue and communication are important as students take on new challenges and face up to new challenges. I believe that deep dialogue can be created when students understand each other's different standpoints and perspectives, based on cooperation and mutual understanding.

-What do you expect from your students?

Hinoda: I believe that the key to enriching the learning environment is to build a culture of cooperation and respect for different opinions and backgrounds among students through education. I would like to see them create that culture on their own.

For example, students should become "little Che Guevaras. This is not just a submissive existence, but an individual who thinks for himself/herself and has the will to actively tackle social issues. We believe that encouraging our students to pursue their own dreams and aspirations, and to grow as active contributors to society, will be the foundation for transforming our current society and creating a sustainable one.

The Future of Education and the Values Students Should Have from Principal Hinoda's Approach

Through this interview, Principal Hinoda presented a variety of educational ideas based on his own unique educational philosophy.
First is the "habit of reading and sharing books.
Reading books is an idea that anyone can understand, but it goes beyond "reading books.
He argued that the action of reading 30,000 pages of books a year would allow each student to share and explore with other students based on the insights they have acquired, and to develop a spirit of intellectual inquiry and intellectual vitality in the school as a whole, and that reading and sharing books would have a remarkable impact on the acquisition of knowledge and the deepening and cultivation of insights.

What can be seen from the above keywords, such as insight and vision, to the future educational development as the present.

Principal Hinoda's assertion reveals a tendency to emphasize experience.

He strongly encourages travel as a means of understanding and experiencing other cultures in depth.
He is a strong advocate of travel as a means of understanding and experiencing other cultures in depth.
He said that traveling, meeting people, experiencing things, and feeling things through physical contact with oneself are all opportunities for personal growth.
The knowledge and values that cannot be obtained from the crammed education provided by teachers in today's society.
He emphasized, "It is an opportunity to stimulate a sense of adventure and exploration through experience and travel.

He was convinced that through visits to the country and the region, he could bring practical and lively learning that is not currently available in the classroom or textbooks that are not available in the educational curriculum.
He said that experience is a valuable opportunity to refine not only knowledge, but also human skills, sensitivity, and other aspects of cognitive development. He insisted that this action is an early means to open up new and broad perspectives and diverse values.

To this end, Principal Hinoda encouraged us to move beyond being mere transmitters of knowledge, and to take the initiative to discover our own individual goals and values, and to act proactively to realize them.

I think "proactive" is an important key word to remember what is needed in today's education.