Japanese elementary schools are putting effort to strengthen the relationship between their parent-teacher association (PTA) and the local community. With an increase in societal issues affecting children’s mental health and overall development, these schools are seeking proactive collaboration with local residents and institutions. Initiatives include setting up neighborhood events, fostering mutual support, and building stronger communication channels.

In Japan, the sense of community and communal obligation are highly valued. Here, the concept of 'It takes a village to raise a child' is deep-rooted, with the community playing a crucial role in children's upbringing along with the family. The development will help schools address a range of concerns affecting students beyond the classroom, and foster better holistic development of students.

In the US and EU, the PTAs typically focus more on fundraising activities and enhancing the school's resources. While community engagement exists, it is less integrated compared to Japan's approach. This initiative in Japan is an interesting facet of their commitment to community involvement in schooling, offering potential lessons to PTAs in the West.