By Barrier Free Japan, extract from Bunshun Online
March 28 2025
TOKYO – Musashino Higashi Gakuen is an educational corporation that has two kindergartens, an elementary school, a junior high school, and a higher vocational school under its umbrella and is known for its inclusive education model, in which children with and without autism study together.
Some parents have noted that “few places offer inclusive education for children with autism,” amid growing unease about the institution’s future.
Since chairman Matsumura Kenzo of Hazuki Company, known for “Hazuki Loupe,” took over as chairman of the board of directors of this school, which features a “mixed education” where autistic and normal children learn together, confusion has continued.
Following Matsumura’s appointment as chairperson in February 2024, multiple teachers resigned, yet the institution’s explanation to parents was limited, raising concerns among some guardians. In February 2025, it emerged that a student at the vocational high school was expelled after expressing opposition to Matsumura. The school later retracted the expulsion, but the turmoil had only grown.
The school operator in the Tokyo suburbs required parents of newly enrolled students to submit a written pledge, including a clause stating parents would be subject to claims for damages if they violated its terms, prompting some to voice strong concerns, describing the measure as “suppression of free speech.”
Parents who send their children to the school do not hide their anxiety.
“Will the safety of children and the quality of education be maintained as before with so many teachers quitting? Many of my friends have already transferred to other schools. I’m just anxious about the new school year.”
A teacher at Musashino Higashi Gakuen says this with a grim resolve.
“For the sake of the students and parents who remain, even though the school has had so many problems since the president was replaced, all the remaining teachers have no choice but to do what they can.”
Barrier Free Japan 
Details of the background in English can be found from the link below.(Below the Japanese explanation )
https://www.change.org/p/%E3%83%8F%E3%82%BA%E3%82%AD%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9A%E4%BC%9A%E9%95%B7%E6%9D%BE%E6%9D%91%E8%AC%99%E4%B8%89%E6%B0%8F%E3%81%AE%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%B1%E5%AD%A6%E5%9C%92%E7%90%86%E4%BA%8B%E9%80%80%E4%BB%BB%E3%82%92%E8%A6%81%E8%AB%8B%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E7%BD%B2%E5%90%8D%E6%B4%BB%E5%8B%95
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You can find the background of how it started last year in English below the Japanese explanation from the link below.
The petition itself has been successfully closed but was not able to change the situation.
https://www.change.org/p/%E3%83%8F%E3%82%BA%E3%82%AD%E3%83%AB%E3%83%BC%E3%83%9A%E4%BC%9A%E9%95%B7%E6%9D%BE%E6%9D%91%E8%AC%99%E4%B8%89%E6%B0%8F%E3%81%AE%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E6%9D%B1%E5%AD%A6%E5%9C%92%E7%90%86%E4%BA%8B%E9%80%80%E4%BB%BB%E3%82%92%E8%A6%81%E8%AB%8B%E3%81%99%E3%82%8B%E7%BD%B2%E5%90%8D%E6%B4%BB%E5%8B%95
The violation of children’s (and parent’s) rights seen happening in this school is something improper by a man who proudly tells himself is a member of the Japan Business Federation.
What kind of a business allows such violation of humanity?
Running a school should not be a money game.
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Please find details of the background written in English below the Japanese explanation from this link.
https://shorturl.at/1322f
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Please find details of the background written in English below the Japanese explanation from the link below.
https://shorturl.at/1322f
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Thank you.
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