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The "Children's Future Tokyo Messe 2014" (Organizer: Tokyo Child-Rearing Support Council & Co-organizer: Tokyo Metropolitan Government) was held on February 11 at the Tokyo International Forum in Chiyoda Ward. This event aims to introduce initiatives supporting children and child-rearing families by companies, NPOs, local governments, and others, while promoting collaboration.
This fourth iteration saw participation from 56 organizations and attracted approximately 8,000 visitors. Activities included information sessions and collaborative case studies from each group, lectures, workshops, and an Anpanman show. The collaborative member corner featured cardboard art lessons and a natural experience space with a rice straw pool, both bustling with parents and children.
On stage, Kazuhiro Fujiwara, former principal of Suginami Ward's Wada Junior High School, delivered a keynote speech titled "The Diagonal Relationships We Value Now: Children Raised by the Entire Community." Drawing on his experience as a father of three, Mr. Fujiwara emphasized the necessity of community-wide child-rearing, stating: "Beyond vertical relationships like parent-child or teacher-student, and horizontal relationships like friendships, diagonal relationships with community figures like older siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and others are vital. These relationships help children become resilient individuals who won't be easily broken by minor setbacks."
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