“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Mizushima Elementary School Edition (Aired March 28, 2026) 〜 Days at Mizushima Elementary School, where children thrive with the support of the local community in a warm, welcoming atmosphere

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

Hosted by Asuka Abe, the program visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to cover what makes each school and its district special, and to hear children talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

In the episode broadcast on Saturday, March 28, 2026, we introduced Mizushima Elementary School in Mizushima, Kurashiki City.

Here are the lively voices of the children.

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

The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in April 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” interviews sixth graders at the schools it visits to take a closer look at what makes their school special. Also worth noting is “District Pride,” which introduces the good things about the area and what the children like about it, as seen from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also features heartwarming interviews that may move adults, too, as children talk about their exciting dreams for the future and express gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.

This time, the program visited Mizushima Elementary School in Mizushima, Kurashiki City. With 64 students across all grades, it is a welcoming, close-knit school where children can thrive under the watchful care of local residents.

The children were quick to tell us what makes Mizushima Elementary School special.

About Mizushima Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Omori Misao. She showed no sign of nervousness and spoke clearly and confidently in a loud voice.

“Mizushima Elementary School doesn’t have many students, but that means we support and help one another. It’s the best school,” Omori said.

One of the school’s greatest strengths is the lively exchange between students of different grades.
In “mixed-grade group activities,” students from first through sixth grade clean and play together. The sixth graders, in particular, are said to make a point of thinking about the younger students, planning games themselves so that the younger children can have fun.

Seeing the younger children enjoy games they have come up with is a great source of encouragement for the older students, too.

The changing seasonal scenery around the school is another point of pride.
In spring, the cherry blossoms in the courtyard are in full bloom, and in winter, beautiful illuminations decorate the front of the school. The flower beds are also said to be filled with a wide variety of flowers.

Omori concluded by saying, “I want to cherish Mizushima Elementary School’s traditions.” The strong bonds made possible by the small student body and the warm surroundings that let students experience the seasons are unique charms of Mizushima Elementary School.

Mizushima Elementary School students share what makes their school and district special

Next, we’ll introduce what the children are proud of about their school and district.

Three children presented what they like about Mizushima Elementary School and its district in a ranking.

3rd place: A district full of places to play, where friends meet up after school

Makino Yukito told us that his third-place pick was the many places to play within the school district.

There is a children’s center in the district, as well as around ten parks near the school. The parks have unusual play equipment that the school doesn’t have, making them ideal places for children to play. After school, many students gather across grade levels and play together happily—an everyday sight at Mizushima Elementary School.

Having an environment where they can have plenty of fun with friends outside school was one of the district’s points of pride that the children want to cherish.

2nd place: Pleasant greetings exchanged with local residents

Next, Takahashi Daichi told us that his second-place pick was the pleasant greetings exchanged with local residents.

On their way to school in the morning and home in the evening, the children greet local residents cheerfully when they meet. These greetings foster better exchange with local people and bring everyone closer together.

Takahashi said, “I want to keep taking the initiative and greeting people enthusiastically.” The warm bonds built with local residents through everyday greetings are certainly something special about the district.

1st place: Lively exchange with local residents brings the Mizushima district together

Finally, Tanaka Komei announced the top pick. He chose the very active exchange between the school and the local community as the thing he was most proud of.

Mizushima Elementary School holds a community-wide sports day called the “Joint School District Sports Day,” where children enjoy events together with local residents.

Local residents also take part in evacuation drills, including practicing evacuating to the school building, creating a strong cooperative system for disaster preparedness. They must be a very reassuring presence for the children.

Through activities like these, Tanaka says he feels a strong sense that “the community is united.” The relationships in which every resident supports one another, beyond the boundaries of the school, are Mizushima Elementary School’s greatest strength.

Although Mizushima Elementary School has a small student body, the children have strong bonds across grade levels and deep connections with local residents. It is clear that the entire community, not just the school, watches over and supports the children.

Thank you, everyone at Mizushima Elementary School.

Children’s voices as they look to the future

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

Five children answered the interview this time.
Their dreams included becoming a professional baseball player, designing products featuring a favorite character, and becoming a registered dietitian for a confectionery company. One friend said, “I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll work hard at my studies in junior high school!” It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them all.

The children’s determination to take on challenges fueled by the things they love gave us adults great courage and inspiration, too.

Thank you, everyone at Mizushima Elementary School.