Digital Kodomo BASE to Open "Furatto Lab", a Digital Space for Students Who Find School Hard, in October 2026 -- a Laptop for Every Child, with AI and Programming

Background

The organization's free weekly After-School Lab receives many inquiries asking whether a child who is not attending school can take part, and children who are not attending school, or who find it hard to, already do. According to Japan's Ministry of Education (MEXT), 353,970 elementary and junior high school students were classed as not attending school in fiscal 2024, the twelfth consecutive annual increase and a record high (FY2024 survey, Japanese). The Education Opportunity Act of 2016 likewise recognises the importance of diverse learning opportunities outside school.

At the After-School Lab, the organization has watched children work through digital projects at their own pace and take pleasure in keeping what they made. Furatto Lab builds on that experience as a dedicated program for children who are not attending school or find it hard to, and for their parents.

Overview

Key Features

1. No goals imposedReturning to school is not the only goal. The child decides what to do, or not do; leaving partway through, or doing nothing on a given day, is fine.
2. A laptop for every child: games with AI, and programmingChildren build games in conversation with AI and can publish finished games on the organization's AI Game Plaza. Minecraft, programming and video editing are also available.
3. A separate space for parentsWhile the children work, parents have a separate room where they can talk with each other. Parents may sit in with the children or stay in the parents' room.
4. Certification Levels 5 and 4 free for participantsChildren who wish to can take the organization's own online certification, the Digital Kodomo BASE Certification (AI use, information literacy and more; a certificate is issued on passing). Furatto Lab participants take Levels 5 and 4 free of charge. Whether to take it is the child's choice.
5. Safety and privacySeveral staff are present at every session, and volunteers are never alone one-on-one with a child. School names and attendance situations are never published, and photos appear on the website or social media only with permission.

Comment from the President

“The time a child spends away from school is still part of that child’s life. Computers and AI are the very tools they will use when they stand on their own feet as adults. At Furatto Lab, I hope children start from what they enjoy and build the abilities that lead to independence.” — Tomoyuki Urushidani, President, NPO Digital Kodomo BASE

What comes next

The organization is starting small and letting participants shape the program. After the first session in October 2026, it will review the number of sessions and their timing (weekday daytime or evening, or weekends) in response to what children and parents say. It intends to develop Furatto Lab into one of the pillars of its work, a lasting program where children who find school hard learn with digital tools and connect with people, and to exchange information with local support organisations.

* Details and the pre-registration form: https://digitalkodomo.jp/furatto-labo.html (Japanese). A flyer (PDF, Japanese) is available here.

* Details are as of the release date. Dates and other updates will be posted on the website and official LINE.