Taiwan–Japan Educational Exchange and Dialogue Forum Promotes Friendly Interactions Between Young People in Taiwan & Japan
To enhance educational exchanges between Taiwan and Japan, the K-12 Education Administration of Taiwan's Ministry of Education worked with the Japan National Tourism Organization and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association to co-host the Taiwan–Japan Educational Exchange and Dialogue Forum in Tokyo on October 22. Ms. Lee Ching-Ching 李菁菁, a Senior Executive Officer in the K-12 Education Administration, led the Taiwanese delegation of 76 participants, including high school principals and teachers. There were 89 Japanese participants, including representatives of the Japan National Tourism Organization, the Taiwan–Japan Exchange Association, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), local governments, and schools. They engaged in lively group discussions, exchanging ideas on topics which included the integration of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and global citizenship education into educational field trips.
Japan has the highest number among the overseas schools that have established sister school relationships with Taiwan which foster mutual understanding and friendship. This, highlights the ongoing deepening educational exchanges between Taiwan and Japan.
Lee Ching-Ching told the participants that in 2024, the Ministry of Education subsidized 106 schools to conduct visits to Japan for exchange activities. Furthermore, Taiwanese schools hosted visitors from more than 200 Japanese schools, welcoming more than 8,000 Japanese teachers and students to Taiwan for international educational exchange activities. In addition, schools established connections and collaborations with Japanese schools through online platforms, and the Ministry of Education will continue to promote international education, laying a strong foundation to enhance students' global perspectives.
A representative of Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology expressed the hope that educational travel exchanges would promote intentions to study abroad, and cultivate globally minded talent. Forum participants from Taiwan and Japan acknowledged that educational field trips make significant contributions to strengthening friendly exchanges between Taiwanese and Japanese young people, enhancing mutual understanding, and enriching the content of international education.
