
Now that is one of the coolest physics teachers around.
Schools throughout Japan have begun kicking off long-awaited summer vacations, and while that means one and a half months of no school, children are also assigned a ton of homework to keep the cogwheels of their minds in working order.
High school physics teacher @hatash has a very different approach, however, as his homework to first-year students has everyone nodding in approval and wishing they had such a cool teacher when they were young.
▼ The title of the assignment was “Appreciate your life.”
(Translation below)
夏休みの課題作った。 pic.twitter.com/0CkMskyV15
— HATA Yasuhiro (@hatash) July 17, 2019
“※Submission is not necessary. Should there be positive results, you may report them to your homeroom teacher.
It has been four months since you entered Utsunomiya High School, with a multitude of tasks like daily school life, homework and tests leaving you precious little time to pursue the things you wish to do. Summer vacation lets you step away from that, allowing you a rare chance to do stuff you enjoy. This school break is yours, and we hope you will remember that this ‘high school first-year summer vacation’ only comes to you once in your life.
If you are interested in science, understand that there is more to it than just textbooks. Go to science museums, explore institutions or perform scientific research. A number of research facilities and universities also hold special seminars and summer camps catering to high school students.”
▼ Why limit yourself to classroom learning when the whole world is out there?
The message continues:
“But if you wish to push your limits, you can jump into university-level textbooks. Our high school library stocks linear algebra and group theory, too. There are difficult ones, but some are surprisingly easy reads. Interesting books like high school first-year English and university-level physics primers have arrived last year. Campbell Biology, mentioned in a Biology Olympiad flyer, is also available in both English and Japanese. What a great environment for learning!
Whether it be a trip somewhere or something you wish to do, remember that the choice is yours.”
This isn’t the first time @hatash has allowed such freedom to students, as the previous year’s math assignment also emphasized enjoyment over doing homework for the sake of homework. Netizens loved his way of thinking:
“Who would have thought such amazing people existed?”
“Why didn’t you give us something like that when I was there?”
“I wanted a teacher like that.”
“That is absolutely wonderful.”
“I want my kids to go to that school.”
That is one physics teacher we would all love to have, educating students about the importance of life while giving sound advice to those who wish to learn more. Motivation comes from within, and his method arguably works out better than aimlessly throwing assignments at students. An excellent way to get some of them to stop relying on “homework companies” to finish their schoolwork.
Source: Twitter/@hatash via Hachima Kiko
Top image: Pakutaso
Insert image: Pakutaso
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!


Final homework assignment from dearly departed teacher will bring you to tears
“Hate summer homework, kids? We’ll do it for you!” A disturbingly booming business in Japan
American English teacher fired from Japanese high school after exposing genitals
Japanese pre-teen’s summer homework assignment either lazy or genius… possibly both
The most brilliant summer homework idea ever: Eat wagyu for Yakiniku Day
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Pokémon and Polaroid reveal collaboration with adorable Pikachu and Eeveelution camera and film
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Japanese man arrested after pretending to be foreigner while trying to rob convenience store
Tokyo pub prohibits talking or keeping your phone out, only lets you drink in morning on weekends
New Shinkansen Supreme Class private cabins get try-before-you-ride displays at Tokyo, other stations
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
New summer ice cream-flavored mini KitKats come with a serving of summer homework topics
“Peaceful life with many dogs” is unacceptable dream, Japanese high school teacher tells student
Japanese junior high school student pranks teacher by lacing school lunch with laxative
Japan in tears over elementary school teacher’s emotional homework assignment about love and loss
Uncle and netizens confused about child’s low grade on math assignment
Japanese government promises reduced teacher responsibilities, right to refuse club supervision
Japanese high school teacher in hot water after forcibly giving male student a buzz cut
Japanese middle school student drives cram school teacher nuts with delusional rantings
Japanese high school students build crazy wooden roller coaster at school festival【Video】
Teacher stares down bear at school in Japan, saving students from harm
Japanese grade students make working game consoles entirely out of cardboard for their summer homework
15 Japanese students who are really nailing this high school thing
The top 12 incomprehensible school rules, as chosen by high school students