In recent years, “inquiry-based learning,” in which elementary school students pose their own questions and deepen their thinking, has become increasingly important.
That said, opportunities to think of social issues as personally relevant are surprisingly few.
We want children to know that “there are things I can do, too.”
With this in mind, Miyoshi Chihiro, representative of Konohitokan, a general incorporated association, and her colleagues created educational materials that teach about food waste and disaster preparedness through play.
What encounters and collaborations led to the creation of Konohitokan’s educational materials for elementary schools? We trace the ideas behind them.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in June 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What Is Konohitokan?
Konohitokan is canned food made using ingredients that would otherwise be thrown away despite still being edible. It is prepared under the supervision of chefs from Okayama Prefecture and infused with the thoughts and care of many people.
(Photo courtesy of Konohitokan, a general incorporated association)
There are two varieties: “Nikukan” (meat) and “Sakanakan” (fish).
They are designed to make it easy to prepare a meal for three or four people by simply mixing the contents into freshly cooked rice.
With support from businesses and individuals, the cans are distributed free of charge twice a year to children’s cafeterias and children’s homes through organizations such as social welfare councils. The group continues its work of delivering not only canned food, but also the thoughts behind each can and connections between people.
The annual “Konohitokan 1,000-Can Project,” in which high school students consider solutions to social issues, is also held every year. Since its third edition in 2024, it has expanded nationwide, and since 2025 it has also received the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The fifth edition took place in 2026, and this initiative from Okayama is gradually reaching beyond the prefecture.
How Konohitokan’s Educational Materials Were Created
In 2025, Konohitokan worked on creating educational materials for elementary schools using a grant from the “Bicchu Regional Future-Building Support Program.”
The background was that approaches to inquiry-based learning and lesson planning differed from school to school, and teachers faced a heavy preparation burden. For this reason, the aim was to create materials that teachers could use easily and that would let children learn while thinking for themselves.
After reaching out to many elementary schools, six schools in the Bicchu region, including Kurashiki Municipal Ashitaka Elementary School and Tsubue Elementary School, agreed to participate as model schools.
High school students from Okayama High School, Okayama Sanyo High School, Kurashiki Suisho High School, and Komatsu Otani High School in Ishikawa Prefecture also took part in creating the materials.
The lesson slides and worksheets were refined repeatedly and completed with advice from a former teacher and supervision from Yoshikawa Miyuki, an associate professor at Okayama University’s Institute for Education Advancement.
Lessons began at each elementary school in the second term, with students learning about food waste and disaster preparedness using Konohitokan’s materials. In some cases, high school students aspiring to become teachers even stood at the front of the classroom. They say that, despite feeling nervous, the experience strengthened their desire to “become a teacher.”
Post-lesson surveys included comments such as “I want to tell my family about it” and “It was fun and easy to understand,” and the initiative has also been covered by the media. The responses showed that the children had made the learning personally relevant.
“Konohitokan Sugoroku”
At the heart of the educational materials was “Konohitokan Sugoroku.”
This sugoroku is not a competition to see who can reach the goal fastest on their own.
Its distinctive feature is that teams make their way through the game while thinking about food waste and disaster preparedness and discussing them with friends.
In the game, the children use the plastic bottle caps they collect to represent Konohitokan cans.
The idea is to deliver those cans to people in need or people who require support.
In the end, the team that delivers the most cans and brings smiles to the most people wins.
Rather than focusing on competition, the game is designed for teams to work together as they progress and, after reaching the goal, feel that “we did something good.”
The Ideas Behind the Cards
Various cards appear in Konohitokan Sugoroku.
“High-five the person across from you.”
“Try telling your teacher thank you.”
These may seem like small actions, but they can prompt children to say things they might normally be too shy to say, or to become aware of their own feelings.
The materials were designed not only to teach about food waste and disaster preparedness, but also to provide time for self-reflection.
“The Baton of Thought,” Connecting Children and Businesses
Over the course of a year, these materials were used at six elementary schools, reaching approximately 450 children in total.
During the review lesson, the children also spend time writing letters to businesses that support Konohitokan as part of the “Baton of Thought.”
Konohitokan receives messages from supporting companies for children.
The children read them, then write down their thoughts, thanks, and dreams on cards, which are delivered to the companies.
The children receive the companies’ messages and respond in their own words.
“The Baton of Thoughts” was also an initiative connecting children and companies.
We spoke with Miyoshi Chihiro, representative of the general incorporated association Konohitokan, and designer Nishimori Sonono about the thoughts behind their efforts to create educational materials for elementary school students.
Konohitokan General Incorporated Association details
| Organization name | Konohitokan General Incorporated Association |
|---|---|
| Representative | Chihiro Miyoshi |
| Established | June 10, 2022 |
| Address | 1240-3 Sasaoki, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Konohitokan General Incorporated Association |
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