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In the Jellyfish Pavilion, led by Sachiko Nakajima, Thematic Project Producer, we have launched the Jellyfish "Muddler" Meeting, a unique initiative where people from all backgrounds come together to create a society where everyone can shine and elevate life. Through discussions aimed at building a pavilion that everyone can enjoy, these "muddlers" have actively shaped ideas for a new society. During the "Learning and Playing Week," we will share their voices and contributions with the world.

*Some changes have been made to the speakers.

【Reflection】
It was a highly engaging event that resonated deeply with both the audience and the speakers, resulting in an overwhelmingly positive response.
At the beginning, Mr. Hisayoshi Muto from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and Ms. Sachiko Nakajima gave remarks on the future direction of Japanese education, the philosophy behind the Jellyfish Pavilion, and the current state of STEAM education.
In the first session, moderated by Mr. Nakanishi from No Side—an organization that operates welfare facilities for children with severe physical and mental disabilities—a candid and dynamic discussion unfolded among long-time “Kurage Muddlers” collaborators: Mr. Koichi Wada from Next Vision, who is visually impaired; Ms. Rinka Saito, a young participant who was born deaf and now hears with cochlear implants; Mr. Yoshihiro Nitta and Mr. Hiroki Kishizawa from Hitachi Solutions AURORA, who are wheelchair users and active in the Paralympics and other sports; and Mr. Mitsunobu Nobuta from Hitachi Medical & Healthcare Solutions, who is active in the Deaflympics.
The discussion highlighted that everyone faces difficulties at times and not at others. There is often an assumption that people with disabilities are always in need of help, but in reality, the true barriers often lie within society. While everyone is fundamentally the same, encountering individuals with different characteristics can expand one's perceptions and bring joy. Thus, participants expressed a desire to mix society even more. The dialogue explored current issues—especially in Japan's education and play—and envisioned how future learning and play environments could be shaped.
In the second session, Dr. Erkki T. Lassila, a researcher in learning design and teacher training at Kobe University from Finland; Mr. Ernest Kofi Davis, a key figure in advancing STEM education in Ghana; and Prof. Zach Lieberman, a globally renowned media artist and professor at MIT Media Lab, joined the panel. Moderated by Ms. Nakajima, the session offered a rich and multifaceted discussion on the current state of learning and play worldwide. Prof. Lieberman creatively and enthusiastically demonstrated the potential of inclusive learning tools using technology. Dr. Lassila emphasized the importance of considering “diversity among learners, diversity among teachers, and diversity in learning content,” and Mr. Davis spoke about the direction of STEM education in Ghana.
The conversation revealed that while many countries are still experimenting, much like Japan, there were many valuable insights and hints to take away. Overall, it was a highly stimulating and thought-provoking session.
The event concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Muto and Ms. Nakajima, who reflected on the many insights gained and expressed their commitment to applying them to the future design of learning and play.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
This Theme Week event proved to be a deeply moving experience for both speakers and audience members alike, sparking meaningful dialogue and widespread empathy. The diverse perspectives and questions exchanged during the sessions were not merely momentary presentations or debates—they marked the starting point for imagining how these ideas can take shape in education, society, and community initiatives moving forward. Building on the insights gained through this experience, we aim to continue collaborating with practitioners from a variety of fields to reimagine the future of “learning” and “play.”
The first session, where themes such as “the joy of blending differences” and “disability lies not within individuals, but within society” emerged, had great impacts on us. The diverse bodily experiences and sensory perspectives brought by the speakers revealed the potential for creating overlaps—rather than divisions—across the fields of education, welfare, and culture. After the Expo period, we will work to develop new spaces of encounter—such as workshops and learning materials co-created with local communities—rooted in the Jellyfish Pavilion’s practices and the lived experiences of its collaborators, known as the KURAGE(Jellyfish) Muddlers.
The second session offered a global lens on the present and future of education and play, touching on shared challenges faced by learning communities around the world, as well as innovative approaches arising in response. From Finland, Ghana, the United States, and Japan, each speaker brought forth practices nurtured in their own context. We hope to further expand opportunities for transnational and cross-sector collaboration—such as the development of inclusive learning tools utilizing generative AI and digital technologies, and platforms for online dialogue and co-creation. Technology, we believe, is not merely a tool of assistance, but a shared “language” that enables us to play, learn, and create together.
Looking ahead, we also intend to align our efforts with national education policy discussions—particularly in dialogue with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)—in areas such as the next national curriculum guidelines. Building environments where children with diverse senses, backgrounds, and identities can safely play, learn, and express themselves should not be limited to isolated pioneering cases, but expanded as a societal priority. Leveraging the insights from the Kurage Pavilion and its collaborators, we will explore model projects that connect schools, local communities, and public institutions in meaningful partnership.
In this way, this event was not just a gathering—it was a platform for encounters that plant the seeds of future implementation. The insights and questions exchanged here will be nurtured into concrete actions, forging new paths toward a society where people of all kinds can blend, learn, and play together—co-creating a richer, more inclusive future.