[Report] We Held the First Session of Fiscal Year 2026 “Glocal Human Resources Development Course,” a Project Commissioned by Mie Prefecture

　ICETT, commissioned by Mie Prefecture, will hold a “Glocal Human Resources Development Course” consisting of three sessions. The purpose of this program is to broaden the international perspective of young people who will shape Mie’s future and foster “glocal” talent by providing opportunities for young people with ties to Mie Prefecture to enhance their international awareness and sensibilities and gain a broader global outlook.

　This is the first lecture titled,"A Global Company is Right Here around us! — Learning About Global Connections from a Company Active in Our Community"and would like to report on the event.

　　Date and Time: Monday, August 24, Reiwa 8, 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.

　　Location:Imuraya Group Co., Ltd., Headquarters Factory (7-1-1 Takachaya, Tsu City, Mie Prefecture)

　　Speaker: Koji Ozaki, Executive Officer and Managing Director, Head of the Corporate Strategy Office
　　　　　Mr. Shin Imura, Director, Head of the Management Strategy Group, and Head of the Global Business Unit
　　　　　Mr. Masayasu Kobayashi, Head of the GX Promotion Team, Environment and Safety Promotion Department

　　Participants: 37 people, including high school and college students from Mie Prefecture, as well as students originally from Mie Prefecture who attend universities outside the prefecture

　For the first session, we visited Imuraya Group Co., Ltd., which manufactures and sells a variety of popular products—including its best-selling “Azuki Bar”—and has expanded from Mie Prefecture to the rest of Japan and overseas.

　During the factory tour in the first half of the program, participants observed the processes by which products are manufactured safely and efficiently at the ice cream factory and the dim sum deli factory, and also toured the cold storage facility where products are stored and managed. Furthermore, at environmental facilities—including the biomass boiler—we received explanations about initiatives aimed at combating global warming and promoting resource recycling, which deepened our understanding of the manufacturing sites that support the company’s operations and its commitment to environmental sustainability.

　In the second half of the course, we learned about the Imuraya Group’s company overview, corporate philosophy, the concept of “Fuyu Ryuko” (timeless yet evolving) as its guiding principle, and the history of its management based on that philosophy. We also received explanations regarding the company’s overseas expansion—including into the United States, China, and Malaysia—and its efforts to promote Japanese culinary culture worldwide in ways tailored to the needs of each country. Additionally, we deepened our understanding of the company’s environmental initiatives, such as biomass boilers and food loss reduction, as well as its disaster preparedness efforts in collaboration with local communities.

　During the group discussion that followed, participants exchanged views on what they had learned that day and what had left a lasting impression on them. Each group engaged in lively discussions and presentations, and by being exposed to a variety of perspectives from one another, the participants deepened their understanding of the connections between their local community and the wider world.

　In the post-workshop survey, participants shared a variety of insights—including comments on global expansion and overseas operations, such as “I was particularly impressed by the product development that takes religious and cultural differences into account when expanding overseas”; and comments on environmental considerations and reducing food waste, such as “I was deeply moved by the biomass boilers and efforts to reduce food waste,” and comments on corporate philosophy and management principles, such as “The concept of ‘Fuyu-Ryuko’ left a strong impression on me.” In addition, many participants reported that the session provided an opportunity to reflect on the appeal and strengths of Mie Prefecture, as well as the connections between the region and the world, making it a valuable experience for cultivating a glocal perspective.

　Through this course, by learning about the initiatives of companies that are rooted in their local communities while expanding globally, I believe participants came to view the connection between their local communities and the world as something that personally concerns them, and found it an opportunity to reflect on their own futures and career paths.

Next announcement

ICETT will hold its second course
"Attracting International Visitors to Showcase Mie's Charms to the World: Exploring Connections with the World Through On-the-Ground Efforts to Attract Visitors Using Local Tourism Resources"The event, titled [...], is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 7.

We will begin accepting applications soon. We sincerely look forward to your participation!