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Meet Yuka sensei,  a new YBS preschool principal. With 21 years of experience in early childhood education, she has seen it all. But she describes her last 1.5 years at YBS as “life-changing.” As she steps into her new role  on April 1st, we sat down to talk about her journey, the fear of change, and the beauty of “letting go.”

— What inspired you to become a preschool teacher? 

It started with my own kindergarten teacher. As a child, I felt out of place and struggled to understand why I had to go to Yochien ( Japanese Kindergarten ).  But my teacher opened her heart to me and accepted me exactly as I was. That changed everything. In my graduation picture book, I wrote, “I want to be a preschool teacher.” For 21 years, I’ve never looked back.

 

— With your 21years journey,  is there a specific moment that shaped your philosophy?

 Two moments stand out. One was during a relay race at a school I was teaching as a class teacher. I was obsessed with winning and pushed the kids hard. We were the fastest in practice, but on the big day, we lost at the very end. I was devastated and felt a heavy sense of responsibility as their teacher.

But when we got back to the classroom, the kids weren’t blaming anyone. They were saying, “I wish I ran faster!” and “Let’s try harder next time!” I was the only one stuck on being ‘Number One.’ The children had already moved on to something better: teamwork. It was a humbling lesson in my own immaturity.

The second was a student with autism. I had assumed there were things he simply “couldn’t do.” But during the graduation ceremony, he caught my eye, waited for my signal, and performed perfectly. It was my ego that had placed limits on him. Children have infinite potential if we just believe in them.

 

Facing the Unknown at YBS

— How did you feel when you first joined YBS?

Honestly, I was terrified. I had spent my entire life in traditional Japanese environments. Suddenly, I was in a world of English, diverse cultures, and international staff. I thought, “There’s no way I can survive here.” After years of being a principal at previous schools, I suddenly felt like I didn’t know anything. It was the biggest crisis of my career.

 

Letting Go of “The Rules”

— How did you change during your time as manager? 

It’s not an exaggeration to say my life changed. The biggest shift was letting go of being bound by “the right way” or rigid rules. At first, I tried to force Japanese rules on the international staff. It didn’t work. One day, I asked myself, “Is this rule actually necessary?” When I realized it wasn’t, I became flexible. My heart felt lighter. 

The same went for the language barrier. I used “not speaking English” as an excuse, but I learned that if you communicate with your whole heart, you don’t need a translator. Those raw, honest moments built the deep trust I have with my colleagues today.

 

The Future at YBS

— What is your vision?

 I want YBS preschool to be a place where everyone can truly be themselves. In the past, I felt I had to suppress my personality to “be professional.” But YBS is a place that says, “Be yourself!!” . I want our children to grow up proud of who they are and unafraid to live authentically. To achieve that, our teachers must first lead by example and shine as individuals.

And I would like to provide many opportunities for international children to learn Japanese, feel and experience Japanese culture. I already have seen many YBS children becoming bilingual, and I would like to make memories and skills together that they can carry with them wherever they live in the future.

 

— A final message for our parents and staff?

To Parents: Childhood happens in the blink of an eye. I want to share those fleeting moments of growth with you and involve you as vital members of our team. I am so looking forward to sharing our children’s moments with you. And don’t hesitate to communicate with me if you have any questions even if it’s a little thing.

 To Staff: Education is a never-ending “challenge.” There are no easy answers, and sometimes we have to face our own flaws. But let’s overcome them together and build something new! We can do it!!

 

What is “Early Education” to you?

“It is a Challenge.” You cannot do it alone. It takes colleagues, children, and parents working as one. It requires us to involve others, show our true selves, and constantly outgrow who we were yesterday.

At YBS, I feel I have finally started running as my true self. I am so excited for the moments ahead and grateful to everyone taking this journey with me.

YBS will continue to challenge the status quo, believing in the infinite potential of every child as they prepare to take on the world.

We were warmly invited by a local farmer, and recently our YBS Preschool children set out for a daikon harvesting adventure.

This time, the children were harvesting Miura Daikon—so big they were nearly the same size as the children themselves!!
As soon as they arrived at the field, energetic voices filled the air:

“うんとこしょUn-tokosho! どっこいしょDokkoisho!”

With their cheerful chants, they took on the giant daikon buried deep in the soil.

Some children tried to pull them out with all their strength on their own.
Others called out, “Let’s do it together!” and worked in pairs.

With hands and faces covered in dirt, they pushed, pulled, and tried again and again.
They looked so determined—like they were standing in front of a giant challenge and declaring, “We’re going to do this!”

At first, the daikon wouldn’t budge.
But little by little… it started to move.

“It’s moving! It’s moving!”

With one final push—pop!—out it came.
Cheers, laughter, and wide-eyed smiles spread across the field.

The sense of accomplishment they felt was far greater than simply pulling out a big vegetable.
They learned the courage to face something difficult, the perseverance to keep trying, and the power of teamwork.

As they pulled the daikon from the earth, they were also pulling out something from within themselves—
their own strength to take on a challenge.

This time, many parents also joined us as volunteers.
We traveled by train and bus—a small journey that became part of the learning.

For our international families especially, the view from the train window was unforgettable.
Soft pink Kawazu cherry blossoms blooming along the tracks, and neatly cultivated fields filled with a variety of vegetables—Japan’s seasonal beauty unfolding before their eyes.

Children gently reminded each other, “We need to be quiet on the train.”

Even the travel time became learning time.
Public manners, seasonal changes, and the rhythm of local life all connected naturally.

By the end of the day, we had harvested more than 300 daikon!!!

Back at school, the harvest was shared with everyone—from the Baby Room to Middle School students, along with parents and staff.

At the entrance, daikon were stacked high.

“I pulled this one out!”
“I got a really heavy one!”

The pride on their faces was impossible to hide.
The feeling of the soil, the moment of struggle, the joy of success—those memories were already part of them.

Those 300 giant daikon did more than fill our school entrance.
They brought together local farmers, families, children, and staff as one community.

It was not just a harvesting trip.
It was a day created together—through support, cooperation, and shared experience.

And within that day, children discovered courage, teamwork, and gratitude toward the community that supports them.

We truly believe that the confidence and thankful hearts nurtured through this experience will continue to support their learning and growth in the years ahead.