"Gather Around! Elementary School Students" Kotoura Nishi Elementary School Edition (Aired on November 1, 2025) ~ Kotoura Nishi Elementary School Growing Together with the Community While Feeling Close to the Town's Industries

On FM Kurashiki, every Saturday from 8 AM to 9 AM, we broadcast "Gather Around! Elementary School Students".

The personality, Asuka Abe, visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to interview children who talk about the charm of their schools and school districts, as well as their big dreams. Through the genuine voices of the children, we can once again feel the charm of the community.

In the broadcast on November 1, 2025 (Saturday), we introduced the situation at "Kotuura Nishi Elementary School" located in Kojima, Kurashiki City.

We will deliver the lively voices of the children.

This article is a contributed piece by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. It has been edited and published by the Haretoco General Incorporated Association editorial team.

FM Kurashiki "Gather Around! Elementary School Students"

In "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we conduct direct interviews with sixth graders at the visited elementary schools, deeply exploring the charm of the schools everyone attends. Additionally, the "District Pride" segment introduces the good and favorite aspects of the community from the perspective of elementary school students.

They share their exciting future dreams and express gratitude to their families who are always with them... We will also present heartwarming interviews that will surely touch the hearts of adults.

This time, we visited Kotuura Nishi Elementary School in Kojima, Kurashiki City. Once a month, they hold a unique initiative called "Jeans Day," where students can wear jeans instead of their uniforms to school.

The charm of Kotuura Nishi Elementary School was shared by the children right away.

About Kotuura Nishi Elementary School

The school introduction was given by Nonno Hasegawa. Surrounded by a big round of applause, she introduced four points of pride about the school.

The first point is that there is a "Jeans Day" once a month.
On this day, students are allowed to wear either their uniforms or casual clothes. Since Kojima is an area where the jeans industry is thriving, incorporating jeans into their attire provides an opportunity to think about the region's strengths. Some teachers also wear jeans, creating a different atmosphere in school life.

The second point of pride is the "Vertical Group Activities" that deepen interactions across grades.
Through cleaning and play, many friendships across grades can be formed, which is a significant charm, according to Hasegawa.

The third point is the "Morning Project."
To improve the school, the students are creatively engaged. Specifically, sixth graders support younger students and focus on cleaning activities to keep the school beautiful, creating opportunities for a wonderful school life.

The final fourth point is that the teachers are kind.
While they sometimes scold firmly, Hasegawa mentioned, "We understand that it is all for our benefit." The teachers listening to the presentation also looked pleased.

With special days that utilize local characteristics, cooperative activities across grades, and the warm guidance of the teachers, Kotuura Nishi Elementary School is a wonderful school with many points of pride.

Children of Kotuura Nishi Elementary School Talk About "School & District Pride"

Next, we will introduce the "school and district pride" that the children are proud of.

Three elementary school students shared the charms of their school and district.

1. Local products like school uniforms and jeans are close at hand

The first to speak was Anji Yoshizaki. She talked about the charm of the area where "the jeans and school uniform industry is thriving" in the Kotuura Nishi district.

In Kojima, salt production was once carried out, which led to the cultivation of salt-resistant cotton, and from there, the fiber industry for jeans and school uniforms began.

Right next to Kotuura Nishi Elementary School, there are uniform factories of Nippon Hifuku and the Jeans Museum, where the history of jeans can be learned. The students have the opportunity to visit the factories in the third and fourth grades, and they were able to feel the efforts of the people who make clothes and the quality of the garments.

Having the world-renowned Kojima textile industry close at hand and being able to touch its history and craftsmanship is a special pride of Kotuura Nishi Elementary School.

2. The warm support of the local people

Next, Rise Shio te shared her pride in the "kindness of the local people."

The local people watch over the school route every day, rain or shine. Hearing kind words like "Have a good day" and "Be careful" makes Shio te very happy.

Additionally, there are warm supports such as morning greeting activities and summer grass cutting. Many alumni of Kotuura Nishi Elementary School are also in the community, and the pride of everyone working together to ensure a safe and secure living environment is something she shared.

3. The local festival "Takahachiman Shrine Spirit Festival" representing the region

The last to present was Nanami Chinen. She mentioned that "the active festivals are a charm of the district."

Every autumn, a large festival representing the region, the "Takahachiman Shrine Spirit Festival," is held.

During the festival, participants pull floats by district and perform music while walking around the area. Additionally, going through the shrine's torii gate and running up a steep slope are also highlights of the event.

Everyone gathers from summer at community centers to practice instruments and chants enthusiastically. Even if they do not participate in the festival, they enjoy cheering and eating delicious food from stalls, making the day enjoyable for everyone.

The Takahachiman Shrine Spirit Festival, which unites the community, has become an autumn tradition for the children.

Kotuura Nishi Elementary School places great importance on the culture and industry in the district. Being able to feel that the industry of the town they live in is close at hand is also a charm of the region. Let us continue to watch over the children of Kotuura Nishi Elementary School so they can thrive!

Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

After learning about the school's charms, we also asked everyone about their future dreams.

This time, 16 students participated in the interview.
Veterinarians, game creators, patissiers, bakers... some even shared fun dreams like "traveling around the world with friends." Imagining everyone's future selves is exciting.

The sight of children challenging themselves with "what they love" as their driving force gives us adults great courage and inspiration.

Thank you, everyone at Kotuura Nishi Elementary School.

Conclusion

Through "Gather Around! Elementary School Students," we will continue to deliver the charms of schools and communities through the voices of children.

Every time we visit an elementary school, we feel that the children are growing every day with the warm support of the teachers and the community.

FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the local children so they can live healthily and happily.