What symbolizes our community? Is it the observant, quick thinking Sparrowhawk? The curiously exploring Flying Squirrel? Or is it the bold transformational Dragonfly? A bird, a mammal, and an insect — each deeply connected to Japan and each representing qualities we value at MST. More than just a symbol, a mascot can represent identity, belonging, and the values we hope to nurture in children. Cast your vote and be part of creating a new chapter in MST traditions. Join the c

This year’s Earth Day Celebration was a powerful example of what can happen when students take initiative and a community comes together in support of a shared purpose. Organized by the MST HEAL students and the faculty and parent sustainability groups, the after-school event transformed the Garden, Art Room, and MPR into vibrant spaces filled with creativity, learning, and action for the environment. Students led many aspects of the celebration, preparing vegan snacks, organ

After 40 intense rounds and an exciting final duel, wordslinger Kano captured this year’s MST Spelling Bee title in front of a cheering crowd of Sunshine and Lower Elementary students. The competition grew more intense with each passing round, eventually leading to an unforgettable championship battle between Willow wordsmiths Kano and Kaya. The two finalists went head-to-head for 11 rounds, demonstrating impressive focus and resilience under pressure. Otto (Maple) also deliv

This year’s Sakura Medal Book Bowl at Makuhari International School brought together enthusiastic young readers from schools across the region for a day filled with teamwork, friendly competition, and a shared love of books. Representing MST were 11 students from the Willow class, who arrived ready for the challenge after months of dedicated reading. Students began exploring the Sakura Medal book selections early in the school year, with many reading all 20 nominated titles.

This year’s Instrumental Recital Night happened at Densho Hall, in the Shibuya Cultural Center. It was a very beautiful hall. The neatly rowed seats were cushioned on the back and studded with golden seat numbers on the top. The stage was lit from the center outwards giving the performer a kind of glow to them when they entered. Getting a chance to perform in such a beautiful hall really added to the night. Musical pieces included opera, Chinese traditional music, folk, rock,

Dear MST Families, Thank you to everyone who joined our Coffee and Conversation session on the 15-18 Adolescent Program. Below is an overview of our conversation and some new updates about the 15-18 Program! Partnerships with Local Schools We are building partnerships with other international schools in Tokyo to ensure our students have access to a wide social circle. I am pleased to share that KAIS International School has expressed strong enthusiasm for collaborating with o

The reforestation of the MST Garden has been a multi-year educational project that has involved collecting seaweed at a beach, gathering acorn in Arisugawa Park, bundling straw, conditioning the soil and finally planting native trees. The project has included the middle school adolescents on down to the Sunshine gardeners, as well as faculty and parents. Through all the lectures, demonstrations, research and hands-on experience MST may have the largest concentration of forest

All 6th graders in Willow are required to take on a service project. We are a group of four students that are working on a project about reforestation. We each chose one topic that helps us understand environmental issues better. Our chosen topics were: reforestation, deforestation, biodiversity and climate change. We each wrote an essay and we want to share some information with you. Some of you might be wondering what biodiversity is? Biodiversity is all the different kinds

As MST’s “first teacher”, Naoko Kikkawa has guided generations of children over two plus decades in the Sunshine program. She has mentored so many of our teachers over the years. And when she retired from the classroom, Naoko has been our voice of conscience as the Sustainability Lead. Among the dozens of projects she shepherds are planting a native forest in our Garden, raising awareness of microplastics, introducing non-toxic school materials, coaxing a waste company to co