Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) and its HUSS Climate Change Response Project Team (Director Kang Yoon Hee) conducted an overseas field study program titled “East Asia Climate Solutions 2026: Japan” from July 13 to 17 in the Nagoya, Toyama, Kanazawa, and Noto Peninsula regions of Japan.

This program was organized to conduct on-site investigations into Japan’s ecosystem conservation and environmental policies, low-carbon transportation, energy transition, and sustainable regional development. Participating students visited relevant institutions and facilities, interacted with local university students, and examined how climate change response policies are applied to cities and local communities.

In Nagoya, they visited the Nagoya Biodiversity Center to study biodiversity conservation policies and examples of ecosystem management. Through relevant lectures and specimen observation, the students explored the connection between ecosystem conservation and climate change response.

In Toyama, they visited the Itai-Itai Disease Museum to examine the environmental damage caused by industrialization and the subsequent changes in environmental policy. They then rode Toyama’s light rail transit (LRT) system to observe how low-carbon transportation is integrated into urban spaces and citizens’ daily lives. At Toyama University, a Korea-Japan university student exchange program was held. Students from both countries presented on climate and environmental policies and related projects, and exchanged views on responding to the climate crisis and resource circulation systems.

At the Kanazawa Jōhoku Water Quality Management Center, they toured the operations of wastewater treatment and water quality management systems. Participants examined how water environment management technologies and resource-circulating wastewater treatment systems are applied to urban infrastructure.

Group field projects were also conducted. Students investigated examples of eco-friendly architecture, urban regeneration, and sustainable tourism at sites such as Tsuzumi-mon, Cross Gate Kanazawa, and Kenroku-en. Some teams interviewed citizens to gauge local residents’ perceptions of climate change and the resulting changes in their daily lives.

In Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the group visited the Fukuoka No. 1 Power Plant to examine the hydroelectric power generation process using local water resources and the power supply system. At the Arisugi Exhibition Hall, they studied Japan’s energy mix—including nuclear and renewable energy—and its energy transition policies. At Shiroyone Senmaida on the Noto Peninsula, they observed the current state of conservation of the terraced rice fields and the surrounding natural environment. The students observed examples of how traditional agriculture, natural environment conservation, and the tourism industry are linked to regional revitalization.

Kim Hwa-ryeong (a third-year student majoring in Japanese Studies), who participated in the program, said, “I was able to see how Japan’s climate response initiatives—such as biodiversity conservation, renewable energy, and eco-friendly transportation—are applied to daily life and urban policy,” adding, “It was particularly impressive to compare the environmental policies of both countries and exchange opinions with Japanese university students.”

Kookmin University’s HUSS Climate Change Response Project Team plans to continue operating climate change response education programs that combine field surveys with international student exchanges.

Meanwhile, as the lead institution of the HUSS Environmental Consortium, Kookmin University is operating interdisciplinary education programs that transcend the boundaries between universities and academic majors, in collaboration with Duksung Women’s University, Ulsan University, Inha University, and Chosun University, under the theme of “Coexistence and Mutual Prosperity in the Era of the Climate Crisis.”

△ East Asia Climate Solutions 2026: Field Study Program in Japan—Site Visit to the Fukuoka Hydroelectric Power Plant