Musashino Higashi Gakuen is an educational corporation in Tokyo that operates two kindergartens, an elementary school, a junior high school, and a higher vocational school. It’s known for its inclusive education model, in which children with and without autism study together.
Parents of Musashino Higashi Gakuen students raised concerns about Matsumura Kenzo’s appointment as early as February 2024. In their change.org petition, they expressed their fears that the school, once a “safe haven for our children,” is now in a “deep state of crisis, and with an ever-growing concern about the future of our school.”
(Note: Unseen Japan has granted anonymity to the teachers and parents interviewed for this story.)
Change of leadership
Hazuki Company is known for its “Hazuki Loupe” glasses-shaped magnifying glasses. Since Chairman Matsumura Kenzo took over as chairman of the board of directors of Musashino Higashi Gakuen, students and their parents have expressed anxiety.
When Matsumura was appointed in February 2024, multiple teachers resigned. However, the institution provided only limited explanations to parents, raising concerns among some guardians. In February 2025, it emerged that a student at the vocational high school was expelled after expressing opposition to Matsumura. The school later retracted the expulsion.
Following this incident, Musashino Higashi Gakuen required parents of newly enrolled students to submit a written pledge, which included a clause stating that parents could be subject to claims for damages if they violated its terms. This prompted strong concerns, with some describing the measure as “suppression of free speech.”
In a post on the change.org petition website, parents write that Chairman Matsumura has “been sending very threatening and harassing messages to students, faculty, and parents. There have been sudden displacements of key members of the faculty, and perplexing rule changes that go against the fundamental values of our school.”
The parents also say that the Chairman’s ideas go against Musashino Higashi Gakuen’s “core educational philosophy to foster a ‘spirit of love and friendship’ in all children through inclusive education for normal children and children with ASD.”
Attacked by school leaders
One parent related a story about their daughter, who was traumatized after being verbally attacked by Matsumura, who apparently “told her to quit school in a very threatening way, just because she expressed her own opinion.”
The parent continued: “Principal Ishibashi astonishingly said to her that Mr. Matsumura was deeply hurt by what my daughter said. Does he think my 17-year-old daughter was not devastated by the traumatic experience?”
After the ordeal, she has not been able to sleep at night, and she cannot concentrate on her schoolwork.
Another parent shared their concerns about the school’s future:
“Will the safety of children and the quality of education be maintained as before, with so many teachers quitting? Many of my friends have already transferred to other schools. I’m just anxious about the new school year.”
One of the few options for autistic kids in Japan
An American woman, whose son is neurodivergent and attends the school, described the school’s actions as intimidating and expressed concerns about her son’s future education, saying:
“Like if there were other inclusive schools… I wouldn’t be as devastated… But it’s literally like the only one… I think most people don’t understand that part… That this isn’t any school… It’s one of the ONLY ones like it in Japan… And has been for 60 years.”
A teacher at Musashino Higashi Gakuen shared their thoughts with a grim resolve:
“For the sake of the students and parents who remain, even though the school has had so many problems since the president was replaced, all the remaining teachers have no choice but to do what they can.”
As of the date of publication, 2,241 people have signed the petition.
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