LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. and Shime Town Launch Full-Scale Initiative to Balance Teacher Work-Style Reform and Club Activity Engagement

Core Insights - LEIFRAS Co., Ltd. has launched a full-scale initiative in collaboration with Shime Town to reform teacher work styles and enhance accessibility to club activities for students [1] - The initiative aims to transition junior high school club activities to local communities, allowing teachers to engage in compensated side jobs while providing specialized sports instruction [1] Group 1: Contract Overview - The contract with Shime Town is effective from February 2, 2026, to March 31, 2027, with instruction services starting in April 2026 [1] - The initiative is part of a nationwide effort to improve teachers' working conditions and ensure children have access to diverse extracurricular activities [1] Group 2: Background and Objectives - The transition aims to reduce the burden on teachers and enhance the quality of club activities through professional instruction [1] - The initiative seeks to maintain the educational roles of club activities while providing teachers with more options for involvement [1] Group 3: Future Prospects - LEIFRAS plans to expand its operations based on the expertise gained from the pilot program, aiming to build a sustainable sports environment through collaboration with local governments and schools [1] - The initiative aligns with Japan's Ministry of Education's "Reform Implementation Period" from 2026 to 2031, which promotes community-based club activities [1] Group 4: Market Environment and Trends - The Ministry of Education aims to shift all holiday club activities to community-based models, marking a significant policy shift in the management of extracurricular activities [1] - LEIFRAS is positioned to strengthen its market presence in outsourced public education services as this transition accelerates [1] Group 5: Achievements and Growth - LEIFRAS reported a 36.4% year-on-year increase in social business sales, reaching JPY 2,358.6 million, and a 53.2% increase in the number of schools contracted for club activities [1] - The company has been actively supporting school clubs and has established contracts with 360 schools, reflecting a growing demand for its services [1]