“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!” Niman Elementary School Edition (Aired April 4, 2026)～With 57 students, what’s the secret behind the close bonds across grades at Niman Elementary School? “Red and White Teams” and “Rambunctious Time”!

“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 cover what makes each school and school district special, and hear children talk about their big dreams. Hearing directly from the children offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The April 4, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured “Nima Elementary School” in Mabi, Kurashiki City.

Here are the lively voices of the children.

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

The information presented was current when the article was published in May 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 an in-depth look at what makes their school special. Also featured is “What Makes Our School District Special,” where students share what they like about their local area from their own perspective.

The program also features heartwarming interviews that may even 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 Nima Elementary School in Mabi, Kurashiki City. Although it has a small enrollment of 57 students, its mixed-grade group activities are thriving, and the close-knit atmosphere throughout the school is one of its charms.

The children were eager to tell us what makes Nima Elementary School special.

About Nima Elementary School

First to introduce the school was Inoue Haruto. He gave his presentation clearly and energetically.

The first thing mentioned as a strength of Nima Elementary School was the warmth that comes from being a small school.
Students regularly spend time together across grade levels and get along very well. A distinctive feature is the mixed-grade group activity known as “Akashirohan” (Red and White Groups). Playing together with their groupmates helps them build strong bonds across grades.

Another appealing feature is the spacious playground, which students can use freely. During breaks, it becomes the perfect place for children to play to their hearts’ content.

Inoue also told us about the school’s rich natural surroundings.
Beautiful cherry blossoms bloom in spring, and vivid autumn leaves add color to Nima Elementary School in fall. As spring approaches, students can sometimes hear the beautiful song of Japanese bush warblers during class, making nature feel close at hand.

Surrounded by nature and filled with friendships that cross grade levels, Nima Elementary School was brimming with children’s smiles.

Nima 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 school district.

Three students presented what they love about Nima Elementary School and its district in ranking order.

3. Rich in Nature

Tabuchi Tomoki’s third-place pick was “the rich natural surroundings around Nima Elementary School.”

Mountains surround the school, and nature is so close that students sometimes spot wild animals such as rabbits and deer. There are also many fields, and fruit cultivation—especially grapes—is thriving.

Tabuchi also told us that Seto-Ohashi Bridge can be seen from the summit of a mountain near the school called Kanayama. On a clear day, it is said to be a scenic spot with a sweeping view all the way to Seto-Ohashi Bridge.

Having a place nearby where you can enjoy such wonderful scenery is a great source of pride for this nature-rich school district.

2. Wanpaku Time

Fujita Yuna announced the second-place pick.
It was “Wanpaku Time,” a program unique to Nima Elementary School.

Fujita explained that Wanpaku Time is “a mixed-grade group activity that’s possible precisely because Nima Elementary School has a small student body.” Groups of about 10 students, with members from first through sixth grade, get together to play during lunch break every Wednesday. They discuss and decide for themselves what to play.

The children looked forward to this time, when they can play with friends in other grades they don’t usually interact with much. These thriving mixed-grade activities must be what creates the warm atmosphere at Nima Elementary School.

1. Strong Ties with the Local Community

Hasegawa Rin announced the well-deserved first-place pick: “strong ties with the local community.”

Local neighborhood watch volunteers keep an eye on the children as they walk to and from school, and community members come in once a month to read aloud to them. The children are growing up surrounded by warm community connections. Community members have even come to the school to be interviewed during class.

Community connections extend beyond the school, too. There are plenty of opportunities to interact with local residents, such as enjoying yoga together at the community center and exhibiting art projects at the cultural festival. The whole community supports the children’s learning and safety, and this is a source of great pride for Nima Elementary School.

Nima Elementary School is blessed with rich nature and warm ties to the local community. We hope to continue watching over the children so they can enjoy a happy and carefree school life.

Thank you to everyone at Nima 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.

Three children answered our questions this time.
They shared their dreams: “I want to go abroad,” “I want to go to a concert,” and “I want to become someone who makes things.” It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

The children’s determination to pursue what they love gave us adults great courage and moved us deeply.

Thank you to everyone at Nima 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 everyone.

Every time we visit an elementary school, we see how children grow each day with the warm support of their teachers and local community.

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