Based on our philosophy to “use education to help people inherit culture and create a society where they can forge their own future,” we have primarily provided educational services to university entrance exam students.

In my personal capacity, as the representative of this association and as a cram school instructor and high school teacher, I have always worked with “language,” particularly modern Japanese and essay writing for university entrance exams. Through my work, I have had countless moments where I’ve felt the importance, power, and difficulty of language. And the experiences of seeing a new world open up when language truly becomes “your own” are endless.

Our philosophy is rooted in the value of “passing on the good things we have naturally received and inherited to the next generation.” We believe that the preservation of culture is the foundation of this value. Therefore, we have been preparing the “Shimakutuba Juku Timugukuru” project with the recognition that it is deeply connected to our core philosophy.

The main reason we chose Okinawa as the first location for this project was because I was deeply moved by the words of the YouTuber “Okinawa Samurai” MG when I visited Okinawa in the summer of 2023. The following is his quote, published in its original form.

Children are gradually losing their dialect. I think now is the time for a dialect school—it’s now or never. This is a big deal. We can understand the dialect, but we can’t speak it well. The goodness of Okinawa is packed into the dialect, and there are feelings that can only be conveyed with it. There’s a subtle kindness or a certain faith within it. There’s a goodness that can only be delivered by using it. We have to do something to make sure the dialect doesn’t disappear. I want to run a dialect school. One that even we Okinawans would want to learn. The time is now. Once the speakers are gone, we won’t even be able to understand it. If it’s lost, it’s over. We have to preserve it.

It’s highly likely that a similar situation is happening all over Japan. In Tokyo, where our association is based, and in Chiba, where we were founded, languages and cultures are also being lost. We, of course, recognize the importance of preserving them as well. That said, we want to take our first step in Okinawa, with the help of those who will partner with us.

Masaki Haba, Representative Director
General Incorporated Association Bunkaju