Learncation: The New Japanese Holiday Paradigm for Schoolchildren

Studying on vacation? Learn how one prefecture in Japan is giving kids more time with their parents — but only if they keep hitting the books.

By Himari Semans

“Okay everyone, be quiet. I’m going to take attendance now, okay?”

A male schoolteacher begins to call on each student. Or rather, each cardboard cutout of students.

This is a broadcast news segment from Asahi TV that aired this week. The teacher is anchor Kogi Ippei (小木逸平). The camera’s panned out to the back of the makeshift classroom, and we see two rows of five desks.

All but one is occupied by crude paper children facing Mr. Kogi. Hiring child actors was perhaps beyond the major TV corporation’s budget.

Japanese news programs tend to go all out in their stage models. But Asahi TV’s full-size classroom for its story on learncation took things a step further. (Source: Asahi TV Hodo Station X account)

Mr. Kogi calls on Kensuke, who is the missing student.

“Ah, that’s right. Kensuke is absent today because of learncation.”

Mr. Kogi breaks character and seamlessly switches into reporter mode.