Japan Youth Summit 2024: How Japan Became a Role Model for Education

TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – The Japan Youth Summit 2024, held on July 3rd in Osaka, brought together young leaders from across the nation to discuss innovative ideas and collaborative efforts for a brighter future. Among the standout speakers was Rafyoga Jehan Pratama Irsadanar, a MEXT scholar and Ph.D. student at Kobe University, who captivated the audience with his insights on integrating technology and tradition in Japanese education, highlighting the country's journey toward Society 5.0.

Irsadanar delved into the concept of Society 5.0, a vision for a future where technology and data work for the benefit of humanity across various aspects of life, including education. "While Society 4.0 involved gathering information to solve our problems, Society 5.0 takes it a step further by making technology and data work for us," explained Irsadanar. Japan's government has been proactively preparing its youth for this future by integrating advanced technology into the education system.

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GIGA School Project: A Technological Leap

One of the key initiatives highlighted by Irsadanar was the Global and Innovation Gateway for All (GIGA) School Project. "This project aims to equip every student with devices connected to high-speed networks, facilitating research, collaborative work, and easy access to educational materials through the cloud," he said. Funded with 461 billion yen from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) for the fiscal year 2019-2020, this project underscores Japan's commitment to technological integration in education.

While technology plays a crucial role, Irsadanar emphasized the importance of maintaining core values in Japanese education. "Character building, being responsible citizens, and respecting others remain fundamental," he stated. Technology is used to enhance collaboration and respectful exchange of ideas among students, without compromising the essential values that underpin Japanese education.

From a teacher's perspective, technology enables more accurate individual assessments and reduces administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus more on their students. On the other hand, students benefit from more precise self-evaluation, easier understanding of materials, and more opportunities for self-expression. "Technology provides a platform for students to innovate and collaborate in ways that were previously impossible," added Irsadanar.

Looking ahead, Irsadanar identified challenges such as bridging the gap between the analog generation and jobs replaced by AI. He emphasized the need to enhance human skills like leadership, communication, and collaboration. "OECD's transformative competencies for 2030—creating new value, managing tensions and dilemmas, and taking responsibility—are crucial for future success," he concluded.

The Japan Youth Summit 2024 highlighted the significance of integrating technology in education while preserving traditional values. Rafyoga Jehan Pratama Irsadanar's presentation provided valuable insights into how Japan is preparing its youth for Society 5.0, where technology and tradition work together to create a better future. With innovation and collaboration, Japanese education continues to evolve, inspiring young people to achieve quality education for all. (*)

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