A 17-year-old teenager in Japan has openly spoken up about his decision to opt out of school when he was in third grade, a choice that highlights Japan's unique 'non-attendance' policy. The story provides a rare insight into the teenager's personal experience as well as a reflection on the institutional and societal challenges related to education in Japan. This young activist's non-conventional choices and his courage in sharing his stories have sparked a nationwide dialogue about education reform.

In Japan, non-attendance choices can often become a matter of controversy and focus significant societal attention. They bring into focus the balancing act between an individual's freedom to choose, parental responsibility, and the role of the education system. Japan's rigid education system and pressures for conformity make these cases stand out and generate wider discussions on child welfare and reforms.

Unlike in Japan, where non-attendance can legally be chosen from late primary school, US and EU countries typically have stricter laws mandating school attendance until a certain age (usually around 16). School dropout rates and reasons behind them are topics that generate heated debates over education reform and child welfare in these regions as well.