“Gather Around, Elementary School Students!”: Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School Edition (Aired June 6, 2026) 〜 Delicious School Lunches and Abundant Nature. Children Growing Up Strong Like Pine Trees

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

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 offers a fresh appreciation of the region’s appeal.

The June 6, 2026 (Saturday) broadcast featured Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School, located in Higashizuka, 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 July 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 explore what makes their school special. It also features “School District Pride,” introducing the things children love about their local area from an elementary school student’s perspective.

The program also shares heartwarming interviews that may even move adults, 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 Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School in Higashizuka, Kurashiki City.

The children were eager to tell us all about what makes Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School special.

About Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School

Established in 1873, Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School has a long history and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023.
Utsu Aoshi and Ukai Mizuki gave us a detailed introduction to what makes their school special.

The first thing that makes the school special is its mascot, “Karamatsu-kun.”
Inspired by the large pine tree in front of the school gate, it symbolizes the richness of nature, with leaves that change color with the seasons. A popular character who makes everyone smile, Karamatsu-kun also plays an important role in keeping students safe, such as by reminding them to walk in the hallways.

The second is the “warm, homemade school lunches” prepared in the school kitchen.
The school actively promotes food-related initiatives through events such as School Lunch Week, when students observe the kitchen at work, and events to express their gratitude to the kitchen staff. Utsu told us his favorite is the crispy cutlet burger, while Ukai’s favorite is the delicious, chilled frozen mandarin orange.

The third is “cheerful greetings.”
Sixth graders and volunteers stand at the school gate every morning to greet students, helping them start the day in high spirits. The school also puts effort into activities such as its Greeting Project, where students greet people they pass.

The fourth is “the ability to think and take action for themselves.”
Through initiatives such as a shoe-organizing project to line up the heels of their shoes and a hallway-walking festival to improve how they walk in the corridors, students identify everyday problems themselves and take the initiative to address them.

The children of Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School create a healthy and enjoyable school life for themselves. They continue to grow every day through a variety of projects and events.

Daiichi Fukuda 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 children shared what makes Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School and its district special, ranking their favorites.

3. Parks Where Children Can Play to Their Hearts’ Content

The first thing Eiji Asahara was proud of was the many parks in the school district. He introduced several parks where children like to play.

“Rocket Park” has rocket-shaped play equipment and a long slide. He says it’s great fun to climb up high and enjoy the view. “Stone Park” also has a long slide, as well as a spacious field that’s perfect for playing soccer and other ball games. The most popular, “7th Street Park,” has a large grounds where everyone can enjoy playing tag and dodgeball to their hearts’ content.

After school, the children make plans to meet up and play, asking, “Which park shall we meet at today?” It’s one of the everyday joys of childhood.

2. The Kindness of Local Residents Who Watch Over Children as If They Were Their Own

Next, Serika Sakoda shared her pride in the warmth of the local residents.

When children head to school, local residents kindly call out, “Have a good day!” and “Take care!” They watch over the children with affection, as if they were their own children or grandchildren. Sakoda says that thanks to the local residents, she can go to school feeling safe every day.

Like Karamatsu-kun, the school’s mascot, local residents cheer the children on, saying, “Do your best!” Sakoda told us she loves this warm-hearted community.

The strong, warm bonds with local residents are also a great source of pride for the children.

1. A Nature-Rich Environment That Brightens School Life

The last child to share was Yu Kosaka. He introduced the abundant nature around the school.

There is an industrial area in the school district, but just a short walk away, the area is lush and green. The school grounds also have a large pine tree that serves as a symbol and a health forest. The natural surroundings offer opportunities to search for living creatures and play, or sometimes relax amid the greenery, providing both learning and comfort.

“I want us to continue cherishing our green school district,” Kosaka says. It was clear what a wonderful environment this is, where you can enjoy nature even in the middle of town.

With delicious homemade school lunches, abundant nature, and warm exchange with local residents, Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School offers an environment where children can grow in body and mind. We hope to continue watching over them so they can enjoy a happy, carefree childhood.

Children’s Voices as They Look to the Future

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

Eleven children took part in the interviews this time.
It’s exciting to imagine their futures as professional athletes, carpenters, YouTubers, professional gamers, makeup artists, and more.

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

Thank you to everyone at Daiichi Fukuda Elementary School.