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Regional Studies

Characteristics

This is a hands-on learning program designed to deepen our understanding of local and national issues through first-hand information and direct conversations with people on-site.
By visiting local companies, schools, and other institutions, we interview and engage in conversations to learn the actual situations and issues at the sites. Working together with the participants also helps strengthen team-building skills and mutual understanding. Prior study on industries, culture, and history of the sites is, of course, a required activity to join this program.

Themes

The study theme of this program is selected from social, industrial, or environmental problems in the visiting region. It may also be connected with the theme of the (above-mentioned) project for the year.

Format and Frequency

As a team, all participants are given roles. Before heading to the study site, every participant needs to organize a visiting plan and study the background of the selected theme. Regional visits usually last two to three days and are held once or twice a year. Every time we hold at least two pre-training sessions and one post-training session.

＊　Map of past regional studies destinations

2025 KIP Kushiro Trip
We visited Kushiro, Hokkaido—a city where population decline and a growing foreign workforce intersect. With the goal of exploring the future of labor in 2040, we engaged in extensive dialogues with local government officials, students, Ainu people, and technical intern trainees. This program provided a firsthand learning experience regarding the real-world challenges facing regional cities and the future of multicultural coexistence.
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2024 KIP Nagasaki Trip
The recent Nagasaki regional study trip involved a three-day visit to Sasebo City and the neighboring Hasami Town. A total of nine participants, including KIP students and working professionals, joined the program. In Nagasaki, a region where the history of modernization can still be glimpsed, we explored local industries and the role of National Colleges of Technology ("KOSEN"), Sasebo College by visiting companies, industrial facilities, and Sasebo National College of Technology (hereafter referred to as Sasebo KOSEN). For More＞＞

2023 KIP Niigata Trip
On the first day, we listened to the stories of young farmers at Ozawa Farm, and enjoyed nature while sightseeing the industry of Minamiuonuma, a rice-producing region, and sake brewing. We had dinner with a university student and four local high school students. The second day we were mostly in Tokamachi City, where we visited a sightseeing farm and viewed the "Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale." We also thought about tourism and regional development.
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2023 KIP Gunma Trip
From June 16th to 17th, the participants went on a regional trip to Gunma Prefecture and learned about the history and industries of the area. On the first day, they held a forum themed “Ideal Personality That Is Required in the DX Era” with local high school students. Mr. Kitano, a KIP alumni member, made a speech, and they discussed the necessary skills in the DX era with the high school students. On the same day, they walked around Kanayama Castle, one of the hundred most famous castles in Japan. On the second day, they moved to Midori city and visited a soy sauce factory; besides, they learned about the history and industries of Gunma by strolling through the quaint streets in Kanra town, visiting Konjac Park, and going to Tomioka Silk Mill, a World Heritage site.　
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2022 KIP Yamagata Trip
From May 3 to 5, the participants visited Tendo City and Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture as part of the regional studying trip for 2022. On the first day, they proposed measures to extend Tendo fruit as a gift to young people. After that, they learned about the Japanesene culture lying behind Japanese sake in a lecture by the president of Dewazakura Sake Brewery and toured a sake brewery. On the second day, they walked around the Dewazakura Museum and the five-story pagoda of Mt. Haguro, and learned about the history of Kitamaebune ships in Sakata. On the third day, they visited historical sites in Sakata, including the Sankyo Warehouse, the former Honma family's main residence, and the Honma Museum of Art, and watched a maiko dance performance at the Somaro Theater. The third day was spent at the Sankyo Warehouse, the former Honma family's main residence, and the Honma Museum of Art.　
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2021 Reginal Study Trip in Kushiro
The Kushiro training began with an idea competition. The participants were divided into three teams and kept preparing ideas for two months before the regional study. Aiming to revitalize the Kushiro economy, we created ideas to attract people to come to Kushiro while being involved with the industries selected by each team. The mayor of Kushiro and city officials commented on the ideas and taught us the importance of considering sustainability in business planning. We hope that Kushiro City will adopt new policies based on these three ideas. In addition, we held a student discussion with universities and high school students in Kushiro and were able to hear their passion for their hometown, Kushiro. We were impressed by the strong will of high school students to stay in the local area and support the evolution of Kushiro.
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2020 A regional study in Kochi
In mid-November, 8 out of 15 KIP Project members visited Kochi city, Susaki city of Kochi prefecture, Matsuyama city of Ehime prefecture, and Shikoku Karst for three days. We interacted with local fishers, members of voluntary organizations for disaster prevention, journalists, and college students. We learned how to promote the area’s economy, the problem and its solution of primary industry, and what the local people were thinking of and taking actions against the Nankai Trough earthquake. Under unforeseen circumstances due to the COVID-19 crisis, we did our best to carry out the regional studies. For example, we wore face masks almost all the time and disinfected our hands constantly during our trip. We also conducted self-restraint one week before the trip. Thanks to steady preparation, including such thorough infection prevention measures, this activity was very successful.
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2019 University Students’ International Conference in Mie (UNICOM)
From November 2 to 4, UNICOM2019 was held by MIE Prefectural Office and KIP. This year’s theme was “Marine pollution and food” and around 50 students took apart in this conference, including Local Opinion Exchange meeting, Debates, “Amamo” Reproduction experience and Inspection of Ise Shrimp in Shima. In the meetup with local people, we communicated with people who engage in Ise Shrimp Fishing and Oyster Farming industry. After that, we had a debate on about fishing problems. In “Amamo” Reproduction experience, all students took part in the process of growing “Amamo” and we had a better understanding of Fishing industry.
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2018 University Students’ International Conference in Mie (UNICOM)
UNICOM (University International Conference in Mie) was held for the third time from the 23rd to 25th of November, 2018, cosponsored by Mie prefectural government and KIP. This time, about 60 university students, including to international students, gathered in Kihoku-cho, in Mie prefecture.
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2017 University Students’ International Conference in Mie (UNICOM)
2017 University Students’ International Conference in Mie was held from Nov 3 to Nov 5 and hosted by Mie Prefectural Government and KIP. About 70 students including international students living in Japan gathered in Toshi island, Mie Prefecture. During these three days, we discussed issues of the local area, from both global and local perspectives,like environmental regulations and succession of ama divers.
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2017 University Students’ International Conference in Yamaguchi (JUNICON)
2017 University Students’ International Conference in Yamaguchi was held from May 3 to May 6 and hosted by Yamaguchi Prefectural Government and KIP. About 70 students including international students living in Japan gathered in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, where Meiji Restoration originated. During these four days, we discussed issues which Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan and world are facing, from both global and local perspectives, visited Shoka Sonjuku and Meiringakusya to learn history, and experienced local industries such as Hagi-yaki and forestry.
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A Regional Study to Minamiuonuma City
From October 1st to 2nd, 13 KIP members and 1 KIP alumni visited Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture. We had a discussion with local people and students from International University of Japan. We harvested rice and learned how to make “Hazakake” (the place to put rice in the sun) from local farmers.This is the third time for us to visit Minamiuonuma. In the discussion, we considered some ideas for reactivating the town from various aspects of opinions of the participants.
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University Students’ International Conference in Mie, 2016
As a kickoff event for KIP’s 10th anniversary of its foundation, we had a 4day program named University Students’ International Conference in Mie (UNICOM), from Aug.31 to Sep.3, co-sponsored by KIP and Mie prefectural government. It was one of the biggest post-summit events held in Ise-city, Mie prefecture where the G7 summit was held this May. In UNICOM, we learned about the local history and culture, and discussed local issues both from local and global perspectives.
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A Regional Study to Akita City
From May 20 to 22, fourteen KIP members and thirteen students from the Nakatani RIES Fellowship (science and engineering students from the United States) visited Semboku City and the surrounding areas in Akita Prefecture. Akita is facing a rapidly aging population and declining birthrates, and the sustainability of agriculture as well as attracting young people and foreign visitors through tourism have become major challenges. In this training program, we held two debate sessions focused on “agriculture” and “tourism,” hearing opinions from people in various positions. We also experienced many sightseeing activities in this region blessed with nature and history.
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A Regional Study to Minamiuonuma City
From October 1st to 2ndA Regional Study to Minamiuonuma City
From October 3rd to 4th, 11 KIP members and 2 KIP alumni visited Minamiuonuma City in Niigata Prefecture. We had a discussion with local people and students from International University of Japan. We harvested rice and learned how to make “Hazakake” (the place to put rice in the sun) from local farmers.
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A Regional Study to Muroran City
From September 2nd to 4th, 9 KIP members visited Muroran city and its surrounding areas in Hokkaido. We had discussions with municipal officers and high school students about tourism. In order to understand industry and culture in the area, we also visited Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal, Ainu Museum and a restaurant run by local elderly women. In addition, we enjoyed the beautiful night view in Muroran and the relaxing hot spring in Noboribetsu city, a city next to Muroran.
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A Regional Study to Nagano
From May 22th to 24th, 15 KIP members, three KIP alumni, and 14 NanoJapan members (overseas students studying Nano Science in Japan) visited Ueda city and Aoki village in Nagano prefecture. In Aoki village, We discussed the current situation and the agricultural issues of the Aoki village with the local people. We enjoyed various activities, such as rice planting and soba making with them as well as the discussion.
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Activity Reports