Japanese 
[Report] Yokkaichi City Commissioned Project: Global Environmental Workshop in FY2026
Summary
ICETT held the "Global Environment Workshop" for high school students as a project commissioned by Yokkaichi City. In FY2026, the theme was "Toward the realization of a circular economy: Creating a town where everyone can continue to live together," and the program was held over six days from July 28 to August 2, 2026.
Background and Objectives
Every year during the summer vacation, we invite high school students from Tianjin, China, Yokkaichi's friendship city, and Long Beach, USA, Yokkaichi's sister city, to Yokkaichi for training and exchanging opinions with high school students in Yokkaichi city on environmental issues and other topics, providing an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding. The purpose of this program is to encourage the next generation of young people to think about the environment from an international perspective and to revitalize environmental conservation activities in their respective cities.
Contents
During the approximately one-week program, we held lectures and facility tours with the cooperation of various companies and organizations. This year, high school students from Tianjin, China, did not visit Japan and participated in part of the program online.
- Yokkaichi Pollution and Environmental Museum for Future Awareness
- Yokkaichi City Museum
- Yokkaichi City Clean Center
- Mie Prefecture Resource Recycling Promotion Division
- Four Companies Working Toward the Realization of a Circular Economy
Here is a brief overview of the lecture and facility tour.
- Lecture on the overview of a circular economy and initiatives in Mie Prefecture
- Lecture on reducing environmental impact through home appliance recycling; a tour of a home appliance recycling facility
- Presentation on measures against global warming at industrial complexes, and a tour of a polystyrene plant
- A tour of the food tray recycling process and a lecture on topics such as carbon dioxide reduction through recycled eco-friendly products
- Presentation on initiatives to reduce food waste through corporate activities and a factory tour
One of the objectives of this program is to deepen cultural international exchange. This year, participants experienced "Hinaga Uchiwa" - paper & bamboo fan making, and flower arrangement. After the guidance of the history of "Hinaga Uchiwa", participants made Uchiwa and result in the only commemorative item in the world. In addition, they also learned about flower arranging from members of the Yokkaichi Commercial High School Flower Arrangement Club and were able to deepen their interactions with high school students of the same age. In addition, the visit to Ise Grand Shrine offered an opportunity to experience Japanese culture.
Results and Prospects
On the final day of the training program, high school students from Yokkaichi City and Long Beach were divided into two groups to present their findings. Through lectures and facility tours, the students deepened their understanding and had the opportunity to reflect on and present what they themselves could do to help realize a circular economy. Additionally, high school students from Tianjin, China, who participated online, asked questions about the presentations, making it a rewarding time for high school students from the three countries to learn, reflect, and interact together.
Following the presentations by both teams, Ms. Yoko Shinkai of the SDGs Community, a general incorporated association, provided her comments and then delivered a lecture titled “A Circular Economy and the SDGs.” During the lecture, the students deepened their understanding of the overview of the SDGs, the relationship between a circular economy and the SDGs, and what is necessary to build a sustainable society. The lecture provided an opportunity for them to reflect anew on what is required of society and themselves to realize a circular economy.
Through the friendships formed at the Global Environment Workshop, we hope that the high school students, who are the future leaders of each city, will continue their exchanges, improve the environmental problems of Tianjin, Long Beach and Yokkaichi, and serve as a bridge for friendship between the cities.
