The opening ceremony was held at an elementary school in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, which was formed by the integration of four elementary schools, and singer Ryoko Moriyama, who composed the school song, made a surprise appearance to celebrate the new beginning.
In the Usuda district of Saku City, four elementary schools were integrated due to a decrease in the number of students and opened as the new "Usuda Elementary School".
Students from grades 4 to 2 attended the opening ceremony, and Principal Seiichi Ide gave a speech saying, "We aim to create a school where children can expand their possibilities for opening up the future."
Next, a representative of the children expressed his aspiration, "I would like to work together with all the children so that the school becomes something that people want to attend every day."
At the end of the ceremony, Ms. Ryoko Moriyama, who composed the new school song, "Always Hope Is Here," and Ms. Goro Matsui, who wrote the lyrics, made a surprise appearance and sang the school song with the children.
After singing, Moriyama called on the children, "I was thrilled to hear your voices, and I hope you will love this song for many years to come."
One of the students said, "I'm glad that Mr. Moriyama composed the music, and I want to sing a lot of school songs in the future."
After the ceremony, Ms. Matsui said, "I tried to write the lyrics so that the children could remember the nature of Saku such as the stars and rivers while aiming for a school song that the children would feel comfortable singing."
Mr. Moriyama also said, "I hope that you will not forget this school song even when you grow up."