Kobe City is pioneering a shift in how junior high school extracurricular activities are managed, transferring them from municipal control to private clubs. This move makes Kobe one of the first cities in Japan to implement such a policy. The primary goal is to alleviate the burden of excessive overtime currently faced by teachers, who traditionally oversee these activities. A declining student population has also contributed to the decision, as maintaining a wide range of school-run clubs becomes increasingly challenging. By outsourcing these activities, the city hopes to streamline responsibilities for educators, allowing them to focus more on classroom instruction. The change is expected to offer students diverse activity options through specialized private organizations. The city believes this model offers a sustainable approach to extracurriculars amidst demographic shifts and workload concerns.