NUK Faculty and Students Join Yokohama City University Sakura Science Program to Strengthen Taiwan–Japan Academic Collaboration
2026-03-11
With support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) through its Sakura Science Program, faculty and students from the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) recently traveled to Yokohama City University (YCU) to participate in an eight-day international urban learning workshop. Led by NUK President Chen Chi-Jen and Associate Professor Chen Yi-Chao from the Department of Architecture, participating students came from diverse academic backgrounds, including architecture and law. Through lectures, urban field observations, and international exchange activities, they gained deeper insight into the historical development, urban governance, and sustainability policies of Japanese port cities.
During the visit, President Chen also met with Ishikawa Yoshihiro to discuss future collaboration in academic research, student exchange, and international courses, with the goal of further strengthening Taiwan–Japan higher education partnerships and expanding interdisciplinary cooperation in urban studies.
The program began at YCU’s Minato Mirai Campus, where Professor Shinji Suzuki and Associate Professor Eri Aoki helped facilitate the exchange activities. In the opening lecture, Professor Suzuki introduced the history of Yokohama’s urban development, explaining how the city evolved following the opening of its port.
The program then extended to the Minato Mirai 21 district, where students attended lectures and participated in guided field visits to learn about urban redevelopment and the role of district energy systems in low-carbon city transitions. Participants also visited local district cooling and heating facilities. Officials from the Yokohama City Government shared insights into the city’s net-zero carbon strategies and development plans related to GREEN×EXPO 2027.
As part of coursework on urban planning and community revitalization, students visited the Koganecho district. Professor Masahiko Nakanishi introduced Japan’s urban planning system and practical case studies from Yokohama, while Professor Suzuki discussed how art and culture have contributed to neighborhood revitalization. Through visits to local art spaces and community sites, students observed how previously declining neighborhoods were revitalized through cultural initiatives.
In another module focused on port city governance and urban spatial observation, the Port and Harbor Bureau of Yokohama introduced development strategies for Yokohama’s waterfront areas under environmental policy and SDG frameworks. Students also conducted urban walking surveys in areas such as Motomachi, Yamate, and Yamashita Park, and visited the Yokohama Urban Development Memorial Hall to better understand the city’s transformation into an international port metropolis.
The group also visited Marunouchi, where experts from Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. introduced public–private partnership (PPP) models used in major urban redevelopment projects and discussed long-term strategies for central business district development.
In a final historical city study component, participants traveled to Kamakura for urban field research, visiting Great Buddha of Kamakura, historic districts, and Hokokuji Temple Bamboo Grove. After returning to campus, student groups presented their findings and reflected on the relationship between environmental policy, urban governance, and cultural preservation in historic port cities.
Notably, YCU faculty and students had previously visited NUK in September 2025 for a similar urban workshop focused on Kaohsiung’s port city development, making this program a continuation of an ongoing academic partnership.
President Chen emphasized that the Sakura Science Program provides students with valuable opportunities to observe urban development and public policy in real-world settings. He noted that such international learning experiences broaden students’ global perspectives while encouraging them to gain fresh insights from diverse cultural and governance contexts.
NUK plans to continue strengthening partnerships with Yokohama City University and other international institutions to cultivate globally minded, interdisciplinary talent for the future.
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