Shotaro Namekata is one of many who believe education holds the key to stepping up the social ladder and obtaining a better job. But in reality, children from lower income households end up in low-paying jobs themselves because of their limited schooling.

Wanting to break this vicious circle, the 49-year-old Namekata, from Nerima Ward, Tokyo, operates a prep school to help them get out of that loop.

"I'm just trying to provide the stairway for people who have the strong will to make the effort to climb up," Namekata said. "And I want to do that for free, because these people often don't have the money to give themselves another try."