Japan's Private Sector Tackles School Refusal Crisis With New Model

TOKYO, JAPAN – December 23, 2025 – As Japan confronts a twelfth consecutive year of rising school refusal rates, a new private-sector alliance has emerged with a groundbreaking proposal: a sustainable, for-profit business model designed to solve a deep-seated social crisis. Leifras Co., Ltd., a leader in youth sports education, has joined forces with the specialized Tachibana Gakuen Educational Institution and the Matsumoto Co., Ltd. to launch a collaborative project aimed at supporting the hundreds of thousands of students absent from the nation's classrooms.

This Memorandum of Understanding represents a significant departure from traditional government or non-profit-led interventions. By aiming to fuse social impact with economic viability, the partnership seeks to create a scalable and self-sustaining solution to a problem that has strained families, communities, and the educational system for over a decade.

A Silent Epidemic Reaches a Breaking Point

The phenomenon of futoko, or school refusal, has become a silent epidemic in Japan. Projections for fiscal year 2024 anticipate a staggering 353,970 students will be absent for 30 days or more, a figure that has climbed relentlessly year after year. The issue is particularly acute in middle schools, where an estimated one in every 15 students is now chronically absent. More than half of these students are absent for over 90 days, signaling a profound disconnection from the educational system.

The causes are a complex tapestry of psychological, social, and academic pressures. Surveys indicate that a pervasive sense of "unease" or depression affects over 76% of these students. While factors like bullying exist, the more commonly cited reasons include a general lack of motivation, breakdowns in daily routines, and intense anxiety related to academic performance. The rigid structure, high-pressure curriculum, and emphasis on conformity within the traditional school system can create an environment where many young people feel they cannot succeed or belong.

The COVID-19 pandemic further intensified these struggles, disrupting social connections and exacerbating feelings of isolation and anxiety. With existing support systems struggling to keep pace, the need for innovative and effective alternatives has never been more urgent.

A New Blueprint for Change

Enter the new tripartite alliance, a venture that brings together distinct but complementary expertise. Leifras Co., Ltd., one of Japan's largest operators of children's sports schools, contributes its proven methodology in fostering non-cognitive skills—like motivation and self-esteem—through physical activity. The company has already demonstrated success in its social business division, which saw revenue surge by over 36% in the first three quarters of 2025 by deploying sports coaches to meet community wellness needs.

Providing the educational core is Tachibana Gakuen, a Fukuoka-based high school renowned for its specialized approach to supporting students who have previously refused school. Their belief that "When a child is neglected, education loses its light" underscores a deep commitment to vulnerable youth, and their methods have attracted nationwide attention from educational boards. Rounding out the partnership is Matsumoto Co., Ltd., which will provide the essential land and facilities in Kitakyushu City and lend its oversight to the project's execution.

The project's most radical component is its stated goal to be a "rare model that combines high economic value and social value." Rather than relying on donations or government grants, the initiative aims to build a solid revenue base while nurturing young people. This approach is backed by Leifras's solid financial footing; following a recent IPO, the company secured a JPY 2.5 billion commitment line to fund expansion, signaling its capacity to invest significantly in this new pillar of its business.

Beyond Traditional Support Systems

This private-sector initiative enters a landscape populated by a mix of government programs, non-profit organizations, and alternative schools. For years, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has backed initiatives like the "COCOLO Plan" and established "adaptation assistance classes" to help absent students. In cities like Tokyo, publicly funded "challenge schools" offer more flexible learning environments.

Non-profit organizations also play a critical role, providing safe spaces, counseling, and community support. However, many of these NPOs face persistent challenges in securing diverse and stable funding, limiting their scale and reach. Meanwhile, the demand for private "Free Schools" has surged, demonstrating a willingness among families to seek and pay for alternatives. Yet, these often come with high tuition fees and the implicit expectation that students will eventually reintegrate into the conventional system they struggled with in the first place.

The Leifras-led project aims to carve a new path. By creating a scalable business model, it has the potential to overcome the funding limitations of NPOs and offer a more integrated, long-term solution than many current alternatives. The focus on a holistic approach, combining Leifras's sports-based character development with Tachibana Gakuen's specialized academic support, could offer a more comprehensive answer to the multifaceted causes of school refusal.

From Fukuoka to the World?

The initial phase of the project will be centered in Fukuoka Prefecture, where the partners will develop and refine their model. The explicit goal is to achieve profitability before embarking on a rapid nationwide expansion. This strategy suggests a vision far beyond a single local initiative; Leifras aims to establish this as a new core business, positioning itself as a national leader in solving this critical social issue.

The implications may even extend beyond Japan's borders. Chronic absenteeism and school disengagement are growing concerns in many Western nations, including the United States and parts of Europe. If this unique blend of social enterprise and specialized education proves successful, it could serve as an exportable blueprint for other countries grappling with similar challenges.

Societal and regulatory conditions in Japan appear favorable for such an innovation. There is growing public acceptance that school refusal is a complex societal issue, not a personal failing. This shift in perception, coupled with the government's established support for private involvement in education, creates a receptive environment. By bringing together experts in business, education, and community infrastructure, this alliance is making a calculated wager that the best way to solve a social problem of this magnitude is to build a sustainable and scalable system designed to address its root causes.