Exploring the Practical Pathways of Japan’s Basic Education Reform in the Digital Era: A Case Study of Mindorino Gakuen, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture

Globalization and the digital technology revolution have profoundly influenced the development of basic education. In response to demographic challenges such as declining birthrates and an aging population, as well as the pressures of global competition and rapid technological advancements, Japan has promoted the digital transformation of basic education through the GIGA School Initiative. Using Mindorino Gakuen in Tsukuba City as a case study, this paper examines its practices in ICT infrastructure development, digitalized education management, instructional model transformation, teacher training in digital competencies, and the advancement of STEM education. The study finds that the successful dissemination of its model can be achieved by enhancing smart campus construction to strengthen the foundation of educational digitalization, leveraging data-driven education management to improve school operational efficiency, innovating teaching methodologies to facilitate personalized and inquiry-based learning, strengthening teacher training to enhance digital pedagogy, and deepening STEM education to cultivate future-oriented innovative talent.