Welcome Reception and Japan-Korea High School Teachers’ Exchange Meeting
A welcome reception was held on January 26 at Keidanren Kaikan in Otemachi, Tokyo. Mr. Yoshinobu Tsutsui, Chairman of Keidanren, expressed his hope that the visiting Korean teachers would gain an accurate understanding of Japan through school and company visits, expert lectures, and cultural activities. He also conveyed his expectation that participants would serve as bridges connecting Japan and Korea. Guest speakers Mr. Akiyoshi Koji, Chairman of the Japan Korea Economic Association, and Mr. Choi Young-bae, Korean Economic Minister to Japan, offered warm words of welcome. Representing the Korean delegation, Mr. Kim Yun-gu, a teacher at Hana Academy Seoul, remarked that in teaching international management he recognizes the strengths of Japanese corporate culture, and he expressed his commitment to sharing the insights gained from the program with his students. Mr. Nobuyuki Koga, Chairman of the Japan–Korea Cultural Foundation, proposed a toast and the participants engaged in friendly and substantive exchanges throughout the reception.

More than 40 Japanese high school teachers attended, including those who had visited South Korea in August 2025. Teachers from both countries took part in a lively roundtable discussion on current challenges and opportunities in the education field.

Expert Lectures: Japan’s Educational Challenges, Social Issues, and Japan-Korea Economic Relations
Professor Hideo Akabayashi of the Faculty of Economics at Keio University provided an overview of Japan’s latest education policies and the key challenges facing the system. Professor Isao Yanagimachi of Keio University’s Faculty of Policy Management discussed the history and future outlook of Japan-Korea economic relations. The teachers also deepened their understanding of shared social issues through a lecture by Ms. Yasuko Matoba, Executive Researcher at the Dai-ichi Life Research Institute, who explained the implications of the declining birthrate and aging population using examples of corporate work-life balance initiatives.

Lively discussions followed each session, enabling participants to compare perspectives and strengthen their understanding of Japan’s education system, social dynamics, and economic environment in relation to Korea.

Visits to Leading Japanese Companies: Experiencing Japanese Management Philosophy
At Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., the teachers toured the Innovation Center MEGURU, where they learned about the company’s history and explored its state-of-the-art research and development facilities dedicated to addressing societal challenges. The group also visited Shiseido Beauty Park, which reopened on January 28. At the Shiseido Global Innovation Center, the teachers were introduced to the company’s long‑standing Art & Science philosophy that has guided its activities since its founding, deepening participants’ understanding of Shiseido’s approach to innovation and brand development. During a tour of the maintenance hangar where ANA (All Nippon Airways Co., Ltd.) aircraft were stationed, the teachers observed the airline’s rigorous safety management practices and learned about its continuous efforts to ensure safe and reliable operations.

Visits to Schools with Unique and Distinctive Features: Sharing Educational Challenges Between Japan and Korea
Seikei Gakuen offers an integrated educational system from elementary school through graduate school. At Seikei Junior and Senior High School, the teachers gained a comprehensive understanding of its long‑standing educational philosophy and curriculum. At Iwakura High School, the group explored facilities equipped for hands‑on vocational training, including railway cars and railroad crossing barriers. The teachers also showed strong interest in Tokyo Metropolitan Hibiya High School, a top‑ranking public school known for its academic excellence and for producing Nobel Prize laureates. Across the three school visits, participants observed classes, toured facilities, and engaged in meaningful exchanges with teachers and students.

The sixth visit by Japanese high school teachers to South Korea is scheduled for August 2026, and efforts to further advance a future‑oriented Japan-Korea relationship will continue.