Core Insights - Japan's education system is undergoing a significant transformation, marking a shift that has not been seen in approximately 150 years since the Meiji era, reflecting a global trend [1] - Despite high academic performance in PISA rankings, Japanese children exhibit a lack of motivation and confidence in self-directed learning, ranking 34th out of 37 countries in this regard [1][2] Group 1 - The learning ability of Japanese children is primarily dependent on cognitive skills, while self-directed learning relies more on non-cognitive skills, also known as social-emotional skills [2] - The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in Japan emphasizes the need for "active, dialogic, and in-depth learning" to address the deficiencies in non-cognitive skills among students [2] - The historical shift from private to public education has contributed to the underdevelopment of social-emotional skills, as society has increasingly relied on schools to fulfill educational roles that should also involve families and communities [2][3] Group 2 - Research by Nobel laureate James Heckman indicates that non-cognitive skills significantly influence academic performance and are heavily reliant on family education [3] - To combat the declining motivation for learning among children, a collaborative effort is needed from the Ministry of Education, schools, families, and communities to revitalize private education and develop diverse solutions [3]