'World Capital of Models' Teaches Students Using Plastic

Nov 09, 2026 | News On Japan

SHIZUOKA - Shizuoka City, which promotes itself as the "World Capital of Models," is using plastic model kits as teaching materials in junior high schools, hoping to cultivate future leaders in the model industry.

Shizuoka City began using plastic models as teaching materials in 2024, and the program has expanded to seven junior high schools across the city in the 2026 academic year.

At Ando Junior High School, students have been learning through hands-on model building, with one student saying, "I haven't built many plastic models before, so I found it really fun to try making one myself."

The initiative aims to introduce children to one of Shizuoka's major local industries from an early age, with the hope that their experiences will eventually inspire some to pursue careers in the model-making sector.

Eri Mizuuchi, a teacher at Ando Junior High School, said, "I would be happy if the experience of using their imagination to create something could eventually lead to their future careers."

The school plans to incorporate plastic model building into art classes for first-year students, providing opportunities to develop creativity and practical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of an industry closely associated with their hometown.

Source: SBSnews6

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