Benesse in 2026: From the Art Sanctuary of Naoshima to Education Reform and Childcare
When you hear "Benesse", many people first think of the "Red Pen" teacher from Shinkenzemi (Benesse's correspondence education program) or Shimajiro in his yellow hat. And you wouldn't be wrong. But did you know this brand also shines brilliantly in another field? It's the art sanctuary of Naoshima, floating in the Seto Inland Sea: Benesse Art Site Naoshima.
The newly opened Naoshima New Museum, which launched in spring 2025, is already entering a new phase as we head into the 2026 season. It's neither a simple resort nor a cookie-cutter museum. Benesse Holdings has spent over 30 years cultivating a philosophy of "living well". This spring, the island is poised for yet another world-class evolution.
Beyond Time in the Seto Inland Sea: "Circulation, Return, Regeneration" at Naoshima New Museum
The Naoshima New Museum marks the tenth facility on the island designed by a renowned architect. From 7 June 2026, the annual theme will be "Circulation, Return, Regeneration", accompanied by a partial rotation of exhibits. Don't miss the debut of The Sound of Naoshima, an outdoor piece by Thai contemporary artist Sanitas Pradittasnee.
Inspired by the 88 sacred sites of Naoshima, this work centres on a stupa that invites visitors into a meditative state rather than simply being observed. It's an art experience like no other: feeling the Seto breeze while turning inward.
At the same time, a solo exhibition by one of Japan's leading artists, Kenjiro Okazaki, titled "Hashi, Koto no Ha" (Fragments, Leaves of Words), will be held. This is a must-see moment, even for casual art fans, as it reexamines his latest works alongside the island's collections—including those at Benesse House Museum—given his deep connection to Naoshima since the 1990s.
The Island Itself Is the Canvas: A Virtuous Cycle Spanning Over 30 Years
The true brilliance of Benesse Art Site Naoshima lies in the fact that it is not "resort development". From the "Art House Project", which renovated vacant local houses, to designs that foster interaction between islanders and visitors, it has consistently built a model of symbiosis with the community.
A research group has been studying this location as a field for "place-based wellbeing". According to their analysis, the happiness levels of Naoshima residents are more than a full point above the national average. In other words, art is making visible not just economic impact but the emotional richness of the people who live there. As of 2026, these figures have evolved further, with applications expanding to counter over-tourism caused by increasing visitor numbers and to conduct crowd flow surveys using technology.
Education and Welfare: Putting "Living Well" into Practice at the Core Business Level
While Naoshima represents a grand-scale project, Benesse's DNA of "nurturing" is also very much alive and well in more everyday settings.
- Benesse Komae Minami Nursery School: Located in Komae City, Tokyo, this licensed nursery operates on the motto, "We cherish what each child wants to do," providing a warm space that feels like a second home. Their thoughtful approach—even respecting a child's feelings about when to put away blocks—makes this nursery a rare gem in modern Tokyo, where dual-income households are on the rise.
- The evolution of Shinkenzemi: With "game × learning" and "human × AI" as key themes, the primary and high school courses for the 2026 academic year have been revamped. The high school course, in particular, has shifted its curriculum to focus on "regular test preparation" needs, keeping in mind the changing university entrance exams.
- A world record: The Shimajiro puppet, celebrating its 30th birthday, has set a world record for the "photo album with a puppet". It's yet another testament to the history Benesse has built walking alongside children across Japan.
The Future of "Raising Children" as an All-Hands Endeavour
As of 1 April 2026, the Benesse Group underwent a structural reorganisation. A system is now in place that marshals the group's full strength across education, childcare, and even publishing (including the book version of the "Red Pen" teacher). In an era of declining birth rates, it is precisely because of this that they are committed to each individual's "living well". That commitment flows consistently from the art of Naoshima, to the nursery in Komae, and all the way to digital learning materials.
The Latin meaning embedded in the name "Benesse" — to live well. This is not some distant ideal. Right now, on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, and at the nursery in your neighbourhood, it is beginning to take tangible shape.