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For elementary school students in Japan today, "video creator [streamer]" is a regular fixture at the top of the list of desired professions. For children, videos are not just something to consume, but also the most readily available tool for self-expression.
As children are getting their own devices at an earlier age, there is a growing need for opportunities not only to enjoy videos but also to acquire appropriate digital literacy.
What children need to thrive in today’s digital society is not simply to remain passive viewers, but to experience being creators who learn digital ethics and technical skills while sharing new value with society through their own perspectives and creativity.
Bringing Sushi Robots to the Next Generation
SUZUMO quietly supports Japanese food culture worldwide through technologies for sushi, onigiri, and other staples. Yet because the company primarily serves food-service businesses, its sushi-and rice-serving machines are little known to the general public.
To address that, SUZUMO has launched a new educational program for children who use those machines.
This program, SUZUMO Kids Creator, is a collaboration with the NPO Dougano-Madoguchi Creative School, which runs children's classes in Nakano Ward. The workshop was offered free of charge so that children could participate regardless of their economic circumstances.
Its aim was to help them learn video production skills and develop their ability to communicate, while discovering the unique appeal of the robots from their own perspectives and sharing that appeal with the world through technology that supports a rich food culture.
From Workshop to YouTube
At the first event held in March 2026, equipment displayed in the showroom, which is normally closed to the public, was specially opened to participants.
The 11 participating children were excited to see real robots in action for the first time, capturing the experience through their own creative lenses while learning how the robots worked and tasting the food they prepared.
The 10 videos they created, thanks to their remarkable ability to learn and creative thinking, were released on the SUZUMO official YouTube channel and received a strong response, garnering over 15,000 views both in Japan and overseas.
After participating in the program, some were even seen spontaneously trying their hand at creating new videos, sparking their curiosity and enthusiasm for manufacturing through creative expressions.
A Model Beyond SUZUMO
The true value of this initiative lies in its creation of a sustainable collaborative model that goes beyond a one-off event. A team led by young employees spearheaded the project, engaging in trial and error, such as redesigning everyday business materials for children.
By combining these efforts with the expertise of an NPO, they successfully advanced both CVS (Creating Shared Value) initiatives and internal branding.
SUZUMO believes this model can be widely applied across other business-to-business industries. The company aims to continue holding these events regularly during spring and summer holidays, bringing children's creativity and Japanese technology to the world through videos created by the children themselves.
July 3 is "Sushi Robot Day." SUZUMO hopes this article will provide readers with an opportunity to learn more about the sushi robots that support everyday food culture and the prosperous society they help sustain.
This article is published in cooperation with Suzumo Machinery Co Ltd.
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Author: Suzumo Machinery Co., Ltd.
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