Benesse in 2026: From the Art Sanctuary of Naoshima to Education Reform and Early Childhood Care
When you hear "Benesse", many people probably think of the "Red Pen Teacher" from Shinkenzemi or Shimajiro in his yellow hat. And that’s not wrong. But did you know that this brand is also making a brilliant mark in another field? It’s the art sanctuary of Benesse Art Site Naoshima, floating in the Seto Inland Sea.
The newly opened "Naoshima New Museum" in spring 2025 is already entering a new phase for the 2026 season. Neither a mere resort nor a cookie-cutter museum, it embodies the philosophy of "living well" that Benesse Holdings has cultivated for over 30 years. This spring of 2026, the island is set to achieve yet another evolution that the world can be proud of.
Beyond Time in the Seto Inland Sea: The "Cycle, Return, Regeneration" Envisioned by Naoshima New Museum
The Naoshima New Museum is the tenth facility on the island designed by a certain architect. From 7 June 2026, its annual theme will be "Cycle, Return, Regeneration", with some exhibitions being rotated. What you can't miss is the debut of an outdoor work titled "The Sound of Naoshima" by Thai contemporary artist Sanitas Pradittasnee.
Inspired by the 88 temples of Naoshima, this work is centred around a stupa that invites you into a meditative state, not just for viewing. It’s an art experience you can only get here: feeling the Seto breeze while turning inward.
At the same time, a solo exhibition by leading Japanese artist Kenjiro Okazaki, titled "End Leaves, Kotoba no Ha", will be held. This is a chance to revisit his latest works, alongside the island’s collection including Benesse House Museum. For art fans and beyond, this is unmissable.
The Island Itself as a Canvas: A Virtuous Cycle Spanning Over 30 Years
The true brilliance of Benesse Art Site Naoshima is that it is by no means just "resort development". From the "Art House Project" that renovated abandoned local homes to designs that foster interaction between islanders and visitors, it has consistently built a model of co‑existence with the community.
A research group has been focusing on this place as a field for studying "place‑based wellbeing". According to their analysis, the happiness level of Naoshima residents is more than one point higher than the national average. In other words, art here doesn’t just generate economic impact – it makes visible the inner richness of the people who live here. As of 2026, this metric has evolved further, with applications expanding into overtourism countermeasures and crowd flow surveys using technology.
Education and Welfare: Putting "Living Well" into Practice in Our Core Business
Alongside grand projects like Naoshima, Benesse’s DNA of "nurturing" is also thriving in much more familiar places.
- Benesse Komae Minami Nursery School: This licensed nursery in Komae, Tokyo, lives by the motto "treasure a child’s desire to do things". It offers a warm space that feels like a second home. From tidying up building blocks to respecting each child’s feelings, its careful approach to early childhood care is a rare gem in modern Tokyo, where dual‑income households are on the rise.
- The evolution of Shinkenzemi: With the keywords "game × learning" and "human × AI", the elementary and high school courses for the 2026 academic year have been renewed. The high school course, in particular, has shifted to a curriculum that responds to the need for "regular test preparation", keeping an eye on changing university entrance exams.
- A world record: The Shimajiro puppet, celebrating its 30th birthday, has been recognised as a world record for the "photo album with a puppet". The history it has shared with children across Japan is now proven once again.
The Future of Raising Children – An All‑Hands‑On‑Deck Challenge
As of 1 April 2026, the Benesse Group carried out a reorganisation. It has now put in place a structure that brings together the group’s full strength – from education and childcare to publishing (including turning the "Red Pen Teacher" into books). Precisely because the number of births is declining, the group is committed to each individual’s "living well". That commitment flows consistently from the art of Naoshima to the nursery in Komae, and even to digital learning materials.
The Latin meaning behind the name "Benesse" – to live well. This is no distant ideal. Right now, by the shores of the Seto Inland Sea, and in the nursery in your neighbourhood, it is steadily taking shape.