Since the COVID-19 pandemic, TSIE has suspended its international exchange activities for four years, prioritizing the safety and peace of mind of our children. As a result, parental participation in various organizational activities ceased, leading to the complete dissolution of the international exchange committees across all nine elementary schools in Tokoname City. Concurrently, work-style reforms aimed at ensuring teachers have a better work-life balance have caused a 180-degree shift in the nature of extracurricular activities.
Fully aware of these internal school conditions, TSIE has reviewed its past activities to foster schools that are more open to the community. Under our new guidelines, we shifted from school-based international exchanges to collaborative exchanges rooted in the local community. As a first step, we hosted students and staff from SKS6 Shah Alam in Malaysia late last year. Furthermore, on Saturday, April 4th, Their Majesties the Sultan and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor from Shah Alam City, Malaysia, visited Tokoname City. During their courtesy call to the Mayor of Tokoname City, I believe there was a highly meaningful exchange of opinions regarding future exchanges centered around pottery, as well as educational collaborations between our elementary and junior high schools. TSIE also has a branch in Shah Alam City, Selangor, Malaysia. Our elementary school international exchange program began in 1997, and last year’s exchange with SKS6 marked our 30th anniversary of this meaningful relationship.
Additionally, starting from FY2026, TSIE will launch its new activities with a freshly appointed leadership team: Mr. Kyohei Yamamoto will step in as our new Secretary-General, and the Malaysia Branch has been established, with Mr. Norkhaidzir bin Mohamad Nor succeeding Mr. Kamaruddin bin Kamsah as the new Branch Chair. To kick off this new chapter, we are planning to host a junior high school from Shah Alam City late this year. This hosting project will be carried out with TSIE's cooperation as a commemorative project for the 70th anniversary of the Tokoname Lions Club. Furthermore, we plan to dispatch a delegation of selected junior high school students from Tokoname City to Shah Alam City during the summer vacation next year.
Last year marked the 30th anniversary of TSIE's foundation, and we are currently preparing to publish a commemorative booklet. Now that the nature and continuity of extracurricular activities in schools have become a social issue due to "work-style reforms," we believe it is essential to exchange views with schools and parents. We need to reconsider the role of extracurricular activities within schools. We must sincerely question what extracurricular activities truly mean, and look beyond the school walls to pursue international exchanges that allow us to step out into the region and participate in community building as a whole. We would highly appreciate your continued understanding and cooperation toward TSIE's activities.
Taizo Fukuta, Chairperson
May 28, 2026
