What is education? Let me share my mission.

In Confucian tradition, education is not merely the transfer of knowledge or skills. It is a profound endeavor to elevate human life and nurture one’s Way of Being. East Asian thought believes that human beings possess the capacity to grow toward perfection, and through education, each person cultivates themselves and aspires to become a Junzi—an exemplary person.

A Junzi is someone who continues to learn, preserves moral integrity, and brings peace to others even amid hardship. Confucius taught that this path must be chosen by one’s will; Mencius described the Junzi as one unswayed by wealth or power. I believe this vision remains central to modern education.
To me, education is about shaping a “Way of Being”:
Contribution—bringing joy to others, helping those in need.
Challenge—solving problems and creating new solutions.
Purpose—finding meaning beyond oneself, sustaining long-term effort.

True education is not just about short-term results or admissions, but about nurturing human strength to thrive decades ahead. Knowledge quickly grows outdated—what I learned as fact in school (Pluto as a planet, China as the most populous country, AI as science fiction) is no longer true. Credentials, too, lose their value over time. Patients do not care which university their doctor attended—they care whether they are healed.

That is why I insist: what matters is your Way of Being. Whether you become a doctor, architect, or artist, the real question is: “What will drive you once you arrive?” I often tell students: “Work means making others happy, and only then receiving money in return.” When asked, “Why study?” my answer is simple: “So you can bring happiness to others in the future.”

This, I believe, is the true mission of education. Other teachers may offer other values, and students should discover their own “Way of Being” through such encounters. That, to me, is the genuine role of the classroom.

I am looking for partners who share this mission—to guide children not only in knowledge, but in their way of being. If this resonates with you, please connect. Together, let us devote ourselves to building a better society, a better Japan, and a better world.