On Thursday, January 8, the 5th Student Assembly was held. Following the theme of the 4th Student Assembly conducted at the end of last year, this assembly also focused on “Rulemaking Together.” Expanding the scope to include the entire school, this large-scale initiative brought together more than 1,000 senior high school students.

In this session, each group selected a topic of interest from the “Student Code of Conduct” and, through dialogue, worked together to create a proposal. Building on the previous discussion of “What makes a good rule,” this assembly provided a more advanced opportunity for students to take the initiative in reviewing and reshaping school rules. While some students initially felt unsure about working in groups that crossed classes and courses, feedback surveys revealed many positive responses, such as “It was fun to exchange opinions across different courses” and “It gave me an opportunity to think more deeply about school rules.” In addition, the response rate to the survey increased by 30 percentage points compared to the previous assembly, reflecting a growing level of student engagement.

Reflecting on the day, Hanada, the 31st Student Council President, who led the overall proceedings via Zoom, shared the following thoughts:

“While many students feel that the Student Code of Conduct cannot be changed, there were also many opinions suggesting that instead of abolishing it entirely, certain parts should be revised or new rules added. I believe this shows that the code itself is still necessary. I felt the importance of looking at the fundamental reasons why these rules exist. I was also truly happy to see students taking the lead and engaging actively in the discussions.”

When students think proactively about rules and engage in dialogue, the results may not be immediately visible. However, this initiative—where students exchange ideas with peers who hold diverse perspectives, build shared understanding, and work toward creating a better school environment—represents a meaningful and steady step forward for each individual student.

Moving forward, we will continue to value these opportunities for learning and dialogue led by the Student Council, and support student-driven efforts to build a better school community.