“Gather Around! Elementary School Students” Akasaki Elementary School Edition (Broadcast August 9, 2025) 〜 The bonds fostered by warm exchange with the community, teachers, and classmates. The unity of Akasaki Elementary School, with its history of more than 150 years.

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

In the program, host Asuka Abe visits elementary schools in Kurashiki City to report on what makes the schools and their districts special, and interview children about their big dreams. Through the children’s candid voices, listeners can rediscover the appeal of the local community.

The August 9, 2025 (Saturday) broadcast featured Akasaki Elementary School in Kojima, 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 at Haretoco General Incorporated Association.

The information in this article was current when it was published in October 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.

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

On “Gather, Elementary School Students!,” the hosts interview sixth graders at each school they visit, taking a closer look at what makes the school they attend special. Also worth noting is “What makes our district special,” which introduces the good things and favorite aspects of the local area 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 or express gratitude to the family members who are always by their side.

This time, the program visited Akasaki Elementary School in Kojima, Kurashiki City, founded in 1874. The school’s name has changed several times; before 1948, it was called Ajino Minami Elementary School.

Let’s hear from the children about what makes Akasaki Elementary School, with its history spanning more than 150 years, so special.

About Akasaki Elementary School

The first to introduce the school was Onaka Takamasa. He seemed a little nervous, but once the interview began, he spoke brightly and clearly.

As of 2025, Akasaki Elementary School has 373 students, 17 classes, and 45 teachers.

Onaka introduced three features unique to Akasaki Elementary School.

First is a story about the sumo ring, a symbol of the school.
Akasaki Elementary School’s playground has an impressive sumo ring. It was built in 1984 to mark the school’s 110th anniversary.

The sumo ring was built by Washuyama Yoshikazu, a former komusubi who graduated from Akasaki Elementary School.
He donated it in the hope that children would “build their physical strength and grow up strong.” Around 2,000 local residents came to watch the opening ceremony, held with Washuyama in attendance.

Second is the warm exchange with local residents.
Onaka says Akasaki Elementary School has strong ties with the local community. On the way to and from school, local residents watch over the children’s safety in both hot and cold weather, and sometimes come to teach lessons during home economics activities and at math classes. In February 2025, the school reportedly held a “Thank You Gathering,” inviting local residents to express its gratitude.

Third is the school’s energetic motto.
Akasaki Elementary School, full of energy, has the motto: “We’re all friends at Akasaki Elementary—let’s get along wherever we are, whenever we meet.” The children work hard every day to put this motto into practice at school, supported by the local community.

Finally, sixth grader Onaka declared, “As a leader at Akasaki Elementary School, I’ll do my best to lead everyone.” It was an introduction to the school that made us want to cheer on everyone at Akasaki Elementary School.

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

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

Three elementary school students presented their picks in a ranking.

No. 3: The presence of local volunteers

Ishikawa Hayato’s No. 3 pick was that many local volunteers help out at the school.

The local volunteers include students’ parents, making them a reassuring presence. They stand along the school route during drop-off and pick-up times, watching over the children’s safety.

With not only teachers but also parents and local residents looking out for them, the children can feel safe at school.

No. 2: The kind, dependable teachers

Kitamura Kaisei’s No. 2 pick was that all the teachers at Akasaki Elementary School are kind.

Kitamura honestly said, “The teachers are really scary when they get angry,” but also told us, “When you’re in trouble, they do everything they can to help.”

He says one of Akasaki Elementary School’s strengths is that the children are surrounded by dependable teachers who can also be strict out of care for them.

No. 1: Warm exchange across grade levels

Oguro Sho’s clear No. 1 pick was that everyone at the school gets along and helps one another.

Oguro, a sixth grader, says he sometimes plays with younger students. He told us that this unity—helping one another and playing together across grade levels—is what makes Akasaki Elementary School so special.

Local residents, teachers, and friends across grade levels. Through many warm exchanges, the children of Akasaki Elementary School grow and thrive every day.

Children’s voices as they look to the future

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

Twelve students took part in the interviews.
Their dreams were as varied as becoming athletes, actors, dentists, architects, and YouTubers. It’s exciting to imagine what the future holds for them.

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

Thank you, everyone at Akasaki Elementary School.