Taiwanese Youth Soar Abroad — Realizing Dreams in Tochigi, Japan
The Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan collaborated with Japan's National Council on Educational Issues (全國教育問題協議會) to host the Ministry of Education Youth Overseas Dream Fulfillment Program: Local Revitalization Training, held in Tochigi Prefecture in Japan from July 14 to 28, 2025.
The National Council on Educational Issues was established in 1977 by individuals from various prefectures in Japan who felt passionate about education. Its mission is to revitalize local elementary and secondary education, and nurture local people’s skills. The Council has maintained a close friendship with Taiwan, frequently organizing delegations to go on study and exchange visits to Taiwan.
Tochigi Prefecture plays a key role in Japan’s local revitalization efforts, promoting local industries and tourism centered on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nikko. Ten outstanding high school students from Taiwan were selected to participate in a training program in Tochigi which included a variety of immersive activities designed to deepen the participants’ understanding of the local revitalization efforts being undertaken in Tochigi.
The program activities included visits to local administrative bodies—the Tochigi Prefectural and City Government Offices—to learn about related policies, a study session at the Institute for Social Innovation and Cooperation at Utsunomiya University about academic research and practical contributions to local development, on-site visits to local enterprises to experience regional production first-hand, and exchanges with local NPO (nonprofit organization) youth groups and high school clubs actively involved in community revitalization.
