One Canadian and six American teachers participated in the 2025 Study Tour to Japan. The lectures and visits during the nine-day program were introduced Japanese schools and businesses as well as economic, domestic, and foreign policy issues.

The teachers learned about Japanese corporations at TOKYU LAND CORPORATION, NOPPON YUSEN KAISHA LINE, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE, INC., and Kao Corporation. Professor Masamichi Ueno of Sophia University gave an overview of education policy and school curriculum in Japan, and J-FLEC described their role in providing resources for teachers and financial and economic education in schools. Professor Tetsuji Okazaki from Meiji Gakuin University outlined Japan’s postwar industrial development and policy, and JETRO representatives spoke about current Canadian and American trade and investment.

Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefed the teachers on U.S.- and Canada-Japan relations, the Japanese economy, and Japan’s role in free trade in Asia. Former Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki gave a comprehensive overview of his ideas about the opportunities and challenges facing Japanese society and the U.S.-Japan relationship. Dr. Tsuneo Watanabe talked through the domestic and foreign policy issues facing Japan. Fellows had the opportunity for a wide-ranging conversation with the Honorable Karen Makishima from the House of Representatives on educational challenges and political education and participation among Japanese young people.

At HOSEI University Kokusai High School, the teachers observed Japanese social studies classes, participated in discussions related to the students’ current lessons about the 19th and 20th century European history, and heard presentations about Japanese culture by the English Club. After class, the tea ceremony club demonstrated a summer table ceremony. At Tokyo Metropolitan Shoyo Senior High School, the teachers introduced their schools and states, observed classes, and ate lunch with fellow teachers. Afterwards, the group experienced a hike up Mt. Takao to Yakuo-in Yuki-ji Temple. On Saturday morning, teachers from North America and Tokyo had an engaging discussion on issues in education, from student issues with absenteeism and generative AI, to teacher workload and curriculum content.

The program concluded with a symposium entitled “Tackling Social Issues in a Chaotic World: Views of North American Social Studies Teachers,” attended by many of the representatives who had given presentations earlier in the week and other Keizai Koho Center members. After a presentation on “The Future of Education from Diverse Perspectives” by Yukiko Furusawa, Senior Writer at the Yomiuri Shimbun, each of the teachers presented social issues affecting their classrooms and how they face them.