The Children and Families Agency is set to run a test program in the year starting April 2025 to establish community-based support systems for children who refuse to go to school.

Under the project to be conducted in around 20 municipalities, people serving as coordinators will provide counseling to children and guardians, refer them to related organizations and help children form social connections, sources said. The agency aims to roll out support models that work well in the program nationwide.

A government study found that a record high of about 300,000 elementary and junior high school students refused to go to school as of the year beginning April 2022, due to reasons such as bullying.

Many truant children and their guardians apparently do not consult their schools or other organizations, making it difficult for appropriate support to reach them. The agency has determined that community-based support systems are therefore necessary.

In the program, participating municipalities will receive subsidies of up to ¥10 million ($66,600) each. Coordinators with extensive experience supporting truant kids will introduce children to medical and welfare institutions and to privately run free schools, depending on each child's needs.

Detailed measures, to be discussed by each municipality, are likely to include helping children form lifestyle habits and interpersonal relationships in cooperation with free schools, and aiding the transport of children to and from support facilities.

For high school students, some models may offer opportunities for interactions with local residents and work experience, aiming to help them develop communication skills useful for career formation.