On our first official visit, we met a with a group of parents and PTA leaders of both the elementary and jr. high levels. In our round table discussion, some of the questions presented to the PTA dealt with the new reforms being implemented in 2002 by the Ministry of Education in Tokyo. The reforms intend to create a new Japanese child, more individualistic, and creative. But some believe that such changes could also interfere with the traditional Japanese values and identity. The parents categorically responded that the reforms were completely unilateral and not community-based decisions. Textually they remarked:  “We don’t see clearly what the goals are…but these reforms are quickly marching ahead of us”  another parent said:  “I don’t know where we are going—the future of our kids is very uncertain…a mother said:  “we feel powerless with the new generation of children…our children today are very different as years ago…I don’t think kids should be given too much free time”   “At the moment we have discipline problems with the kids”  remarked another lady. They also stated that the PTA role is reduced to help maintain the condition of buildings, recycling, polishing of tiles, mowing lawns and fund raising activities.