"Finding Solutions for Regional Revitalization at the Frontlines of Japan's Regional Decline"
HUSS Global Coexistence Project Group Successfully Concludes the 2026 Global Mobility and Sustainable Solutions Program
Kwangwoon University's HUSS Global Coexistence Project Group successfully conducted the 2026 Global Mobility and Sustainable Solutions Program in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture, Japan, from June 22 to 28, 2026. During the seven-day program, participants explored successful examples of regional revitalization in Japan and developed innovative proposals for the revitalization of Yokoze Town in Saitama Prefecture.
The program was developed in conjunction with the Global Mobility and Sustainability course, which has been jointly designed and operated by the Kwangwoon University HUSS Project Group in collaboration with Ryutsu Keizai University, Deloitte Consulting, KAERU, Funaisoken, and ONDO Holdings.
As part of the program, students visited Buko Onsen in Yokoze Town, Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture, where they explored Japanese temple and shrine culture as well as local industries to gain firsthand insights into regional revitalization strategies. They then traveled to Ogose Town in Iruma District, where they participated in team-based Project-Based Learning (PBL) activities. The program concluded in Tokyo with visits to the Logistics Museum and urban regeneration sites that have successfully transformed aging districts through the application of the compact city model.
The PBL project focused on developing strategies to attract Korean tourists to Yokoze Town and enhance the town's regional branding. Team presentations were evaluated by representatives from Buko Onsen and Professor Kyunghoon Yoon of Ryutsu Keizai University (Adjunct Professor at Kwangwoon University), based on the clarity of the message, creativity, and technical quality.
The Gold Award was presented to the team led by Yi Chan Yoo, a student in the School of Information Convergence. The team produced a promotional video in which Yokoze Town's official mascot introduced the town's attractions and local landmarks. Rather than relying on conventional tourism marketing, the video highlighted the students' genuine enjoyment of the town, creating an authentic and engaging narrative centered on the emotions and experiences that visitors could realistically expect. This creative approach received high praise from the judges.
Yi Chan Yoo said, "I was deeply impressed by the warm and peaceful atmosphere of Yokoze Town, which is very different from the bustling center of Tokyo. This program gave me a new perspective on the unique charm and potential of Japan's smaller regional communities."
Meanwhile, the HUSS Global Coexistence Consortium has been supported by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) from 2024 to 2026 with the goal of fostering interdisciplinary talent in the humanities and social sciences. The consortium continues to promote innovative educational programs that cultivate globally minded leaders equipped to address the complex challenges facing contemporary society.
