Chairman Tamiya (front row left third person) et al. at Twin Messe Shizuoka

On the morning of the 8th, the Shizuoka Model Teaching Material Cooperative organized a press conference in its guest room.

Mr. Shunsaku Tamiya, president of the union, said that it was a meaningful day for children to discover a plastic model about the newly created “Invitation Day for Junior and Senior High School Students,” and said it intends to continue from 2020 onwards. The meeting was attended by Noriyuki Aoshima, chairman of Aoshima Bunka Shoji Co., Ltd., President Daisuke Aoshima, Akihisa Suzuki, chairman of Japan Radio Control Model Industries Association, Katsuhito Hasegawa, President of Hasegawa, and Mr. Keigo Tsutsui, General Manager of Deputy General Manager of Bandai Spirits Hobby Division.

The main questions and answers are as follows:

– The meaning of the invitation date is
Mr. Tamiya, “Japan’s education for manufacturing has been delayed in Southeast Asia. The children are now stunned to know that they can not make plastic models by looking at the illustration. I want to convey the pleasure of making and moving myself. All the children who are doing are very happy and excited. Today we have a rediscovery of plastic models, a big day. ”
Chairman Akihisa Suzuki “I have a feeling that I can enter education through the invitation day.

―Manufacturers at the venue are very happy to be in touch with their children. How did you feel at the venue
President Tamiya “I’m happy. The children are very excited. It is big that the prefecture has issued a decree. It was not possible for us alone. There may be more than half the children who are making plastic models for the first time today. ”
Mr. Aoto, “The children were sitting and talking. I feel I was really happy to do it.”
President of Hasegawa “Dozens of people are standing in the model class, and everyone is concentrating on it. I felt that the essence of the child has not changed.”
Mr. Tsutsui “Conversely, the children are given the power. Everyone who is standing on the scene will be the vitality from tomorrow. I am grateful for having such an opportunity.”

― How do you see the model market?
Mr. Tamiya “The domestic market is not active. Germany is sluggish, and the Southeast Asian market is larger than the euro zone. It has been exhibited for 52 consecutive years at the German Spielwaren Messe show, but from next year (think not to exhibit.) There is no open to the public, entrance fee is high, and the number of people is not increasing.
President Hasegawa “The burden of stay expenses and exhibition costs is heavy, and the exhibition of Spielwaren Messe will be discontinued from next year”

― Is the product conscious of teaching materials increasing?
“I think that there are some manufacturers that have changed the course of study and provided teaching materials with IT in mind, but I’m working as much as possible on the development of products that cultivate the creative power to make things by themselves.” the creative force that moves the hand build things on their own.”

Source in Japanese language: Shizuoka Shimbun