“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Ashitaka Elementary School Edition (Aired August 2, 2025) 〜 What Makes Ashitaka Elementary School Special: Building Community Connections with Cheerful Greetings and Smiles, and Nurturing Kindness Together

On FM Kurashiki, “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” airs every Saturday from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.

Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on the appeal of the schools and their districts, and interview children who talk about their big dreams. Through the children’s candid voices, you can rediscover the charms of the local community.

The August 2, 2025 (Saturday) broadcast featured Ashitaka Elementary School in Sasaoki, Kurashiki City.

We bring you the lively voices of the children.

This article was contributed by FM Kurashiki Co., Ltd. The editorial team of Haretoco General Incorporated Association edited and published it.

The information presented is as of the article’s publication in September 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.

FM Kurashiki’s “Gather Around! Elementary School Students”

On “Gather Around! Elementary School Students,” we interview sixth graders at the elementary schools we visit to take a closer look at what makes their schools special. Also worth watching is “What We’re Proud of About Our District,” which introduces the good things and favorite places in the community as seen through elementary school students’ eyes.

From talking about exciting dreams for the future to expressing gratitude to the family members who are always by their side… we also bring you heartwarming interviews that are sure to move adults, too.

This time, we visited Ashitaka Elementary School.
The children have deep ties with local residents and enjoy lively school days, watched over by the community.

We asked the children to tell us what makes Ashitaka Elementary School special.

About Ashitaka Elementary School

The first student to introduce the school was Gaina Matsuda. He said he was nervous, but seemed full of enthusiasm.

Let’s hear from Matsuda about the five things that make Ashitaka Elementary School special.

The first is greeting others with a smile, of their own accord.
By cheerfully exchanging greetings like “Good morning!” from the start of the day, they can get the day off to a pleasant start.

The second is cleaning thoroughly.
When it is time to clean, the students quietly go to their assigned areas and clean every corner. As a result, the school is always kept sparkling clean.

The third is helping one another across grade levels.
He says that a culture has taken root in which older students, in particular, kindly help younger students when they are having trouble. They are nurturing warm hearts that reach out to friends in need.

The fourth is knowing how to switch gears.
They actively share their opinions during discussions and settle down quietly when it is time to focus. Since everyone listens to the speaker and nods along, even those who find it difficult to speak can comfortably express their opinions.

And the fifth is having “Sasarin,” an original character exclusive to Ashitaka Elementary School.

The name “Sasarin” inspired the name of the sports day, “Sasa-lympics,” and the character is beloved by everyone. The students at the school came up with the character’s name together.

At Ashitaka Elementary School, where the children are full of energy and free-spirited, we found a strong sense of balance and kind hearts that help one another.

“What We’re Proud of About Our School and District,” as Told by Ashitaka Elementary School Students

Next, the children shared what they are proud of about their school and district.

Three elementary school students told us about three memorable things they are proud of, reflecting the deep ties with the community.

1. Children’s Safety and Smiles Watched Over by the Entire Community

What Gento Takeuji is proud of is the warm watchfulness of local residents.

Local residents stand at crosswalks early in the morning and direct traffic with flags, helping children get to school safely.

Local residents also help with school events such as summer festivals, so the children can enjoy the events with peace of mind, he says.

Takeuji says that, to show their gratitude to local residents, they make a point of greeting them cheerfully. Greetings brighten the community and are a wonderful way to express gratitude.

2. The Warmth and Natural Beauty of the Ashitaka School District

Tae Nakamura told us about the warmth of the Ashitaka School District and its abundant nature.

What makes the district feel warm to Nakamura is that local residents kindly greet students with “Welcome home” or “Hello” during school commute times. Nakamura herself also makes a point of exchanging greetings with local residents, showing how these interactions create a warm community.

The majestic Mt. Ashitaka, visible from Ashitaka Elementary School, is a challenging climb, but once you reach the summit, beautiful views of the area spread out before you, allowing you to appreciate the richness of nature.

Nakamura describes this area, where the warmth of people and nature coexist, as “a place that local people have cherished and protected for a long time,” and says she hopes to share the district’s appeal with many people in the future.

3. Strong Bonds Fostered with Local Residents

The final student to speak, Yusaku Shibutani, named the close relationship between students and local residents as something Ashitaka Elementary School is proud of.

Shibutani gave two reasons why he feels they are close.

The first is exchanging greetings with local residents every morning. He says that greeting them makes the day start happily and lifts everyone’s spirits.

The second is that local residents sometimes join in when the students are playing at the Health and Welfare Plaza next to the school. Shibutani says they enjoy playing catch together and doing other activities.

This was something unique to Ashitaka Elementary School, reflecting the close ties and strong bonds with local residents. Daily interactions nurture the children’s kind hearts and support their healthy school lives.

The Voices of Children Looking Toward the Future

After hearing all about what makes the school special, we asked everyone about their dreams for the future.

Twenty students took part in the interviews.
Their dreams were wonderfully varied, including becoming professional athletes they admire, voice actors, pastry chefs, and kindergarten teachers. It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

Their determination to pursue what they love brought warmth, courage, and inspiration to us adults, too.

Thank you to everyone at Ashitaka Elementary School.

From the Writer

Through the voices of children, “Gather Around! Elementary School Students” will continue to share the appeal of schools and local communities with you.

With every visit to an elementary school, we have seen how children grow day by day with the warm support of their teachers and local residents.

FM Kurashiki will continue to watch over the children of the community so they can grow up healthy and enjoy their lives.