Yoko Sagae, 57, is the vice principal of the Toyomi Public Kindergarten in Tokyo's Chuo Ward. Ms. Sagae has taken care of more than 1,700 children -- and their parents -- during her 31 years in early childhood education, and she is not about to stop. Loved by generations in the neighborhood where she works, Sagae credits children and her furniture-maker husband for keeping her young at heart and always happy.

Children always have a reason for crying. Usually it is the adults' behavior that makes children upset and hurt, so they burst into tears. We must listen more and get mad less.

Attention seekers need love, and hugs usually do the trick. When we see children for the first time, we can immediately recognize those who lack love at home. They are always doing something outrageous just so people notice them. I just hold them and they relax. Their numbers are increasing greatly.