“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs on FM Kurashiki every Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m.
Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on what makes each school and school district special, and to hear children talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children gives listeners a renewed appreciation of the region’s appeal.
The February 28, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured Kotoura Higashi Elementary School in Kojima, Kurashiki City.
Here are the voices of these energetic children.
This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. The editorial team at Haretoco General Incorporated Association edited and published it.
The information in this article was current when it was published in April 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
FM Kurashiki’s “Gather Around! Elementary School Students”
On “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” the hosts interview sixth graders at the schools they visit, taking an in-depth look at what makes their schools special. The program also features “What We’re Proud of About Our District,” introducing the things children like and appreciate about their community from their own perspective.
The program also shares heartwarming interviews that are sure to move adults, as children talk about their exciting dreams for the future and express their gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.
This time, the program visited Kotoura Higashi Elementary School in Kojima, Kurashiki City. The children, each with their own unique personalities, enjoy a lively school life, supported by humorous teachers and warm-hearted members of the community.
The children were eager to tell us what makes Kotoura Higashi Elementary School special.
About Kotoura Higashi Elementary School
The first to speak were Akashi Waka and Takata Mahiro. They clearly introduced three things that make Kotoura Higashi Elementary School special.
The first is the importance they place on greetings.
The school has its own greeting initiative, “Kotohigashi Greetings,” with three key points: “smile,” “look at the other person,” and “speak loudly enough for them to hear.” Akashi, Takata, and all the other sixth graders take the lead in this greeting campaign every morning.
The second is working hard at cleaning.
The students have slogans such as “Clean in silence” and “Find the dirt yourself,” and work together to keep the school clean. They also told us that they have added “Strive for perfection,” a slogan encouraging them to clean perfectly.
The third is their friendly teachers.
The children said that many of their teachers are approachable, including teachers who are easy to talk to, funny, or play with them. Kotoura Higashi Elementary School, where the children enjoy a friendly rapport with their teachers, is filled with a warm atmosphere.
Finally, they told us about the sixth graders at Kotoura Higashi Elementary School.
They said the sixth graders are a wonderful class, full of individuality and able to rise to the occasion, switching on and giving their all when it matters. They shared their determination to “do our best to lead everyone all the way to the end” as the school’s leaders.
“What We’re Proud of About Our School and District,” According to Kotoura Higashi Elementary School Students
Next, we’ll introduce what the children are proud of about their school and district.
We asked three children to tell us what makes Kotoura Higashi Elementary School and its district special.
1. Many textile-related businesses, including school uniform factories
The first to speak was Yoshida Ruan.
Yoshida said she was proud of textile companies in the district, such as Kanko Gakuseifuku and Akashi Hifuku.
The uniforms worn every day by the children at Kotoura Higashi Elementary School are carefully made one by one right here in the community. They are exceptionally durable and long-lasting.
The sixth graders also had the opportunity to interact with Kanko Gakuseifuku employees and technical interns. They are very proud that a textile industry representing Japan is based in the town where they live.
School uniforms, an essential part of school life, have become a great source of pride for the children.
2. Many local people contribute to the community
Next, Jinba Sosuke told us about the local people who contribute to their community.
Many adults support school life, including members of patrol teams who watch over children’s safety on their way to and from school, and volunteers who teach them how to use sewing machines in home economics class.
Jinba expressed his gratitude, saying, “We’re able to grow because of the support we receive from people in our community.”
The environment in which the school and community work together to raise children is the district’s greatest source of pride.
3. The autumn festival at Ko Hachimangu Shrine
The last to speak was Kayama Kaho. She told us about the traditional autumn festival at Ko Hachimangu Shrine in the school district.
At this festival, each neighborhood brings out its danjiri floats and performs “shagiri” music, filling the air with the lively sounds of drums and bells. Long cherished as a local autumn tradition, it seems to be a thrilling memory for the children, too.
Kayama shared her hope, saying, “I want us to continue cherishing and preserving the traditions passed down to us.” As members of the community, we hope to support the children of Kotoura Higashi Elementary School as they carry on the festival.
The children of Kotoura Higashi Elementary School showed us their sincerity by cherishing local traditions and remembering to be grateful to the people in their community. We believe these positive children will continue to build a school filled with smiles.
Thank you to everyone at Kotoura Higashi Elementary School.
Children’s voices as they look to the future
After hearing all about what makes their school special, we also asked about everyone’s dreams for the future.
Twenty children answered our questions this time.
From dancers and hairdressers to child welfare officers and archaeologists specializing in dinosaurs… imagining what lies ahead for them is exciting.
The children’s determination to take on challenges, driven by the things they love, gave us adults great courage and moved us deeply.
Thank you to everyone at Kotoura Higashi Elementary School.
From the Writer
Through the voices of children, “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” will continue to share what makes schools and communities special.
Every time we visit an elementary school, we see how children grow each day with the warm support of their teachers and community members.
FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the children of the community, hoping they grow up healthy and enjoy their lives.
Articles about FM Kurashiki
FM Kurashiki “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Information
| Name | FM Kurashiki “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” |
|---|---|
| Address | 520-28 Hakurakucho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-430-0828 |
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You can also listen to “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” on the FM Kurashiki website.