TAKAHASHI Zaion | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Reason Why You Decided to Apply

I applied for this program because I wanted to deepen my understanding of "social entrepreneurship" in developing countries. Social entrepreneurship is defined as business or entrepreneurial activities aimed at solving social issues. Although the Philippines has a rising economic growth rate, it still faces various challenges such as poverty, inequality, and natural disasters. Therefore, I applied with the hope that, through learning and experiences in the Philippines, I could discover unexpected ideas and more concrete business proposals from the perspective of social entrepreneurship.

What do you hope to gain from participating in the program and how will you apply it to your future undergraduate studies or career?

Through this program, I had the opportunity to observe and understand the businesses actively operating in the Philippines and to gain a deeper understanding of the various activities taking place. Considering the resources, social issues, and environmental challenges in the Philippines, I developed the ability to generate business ideas from multiple perspectives, including economics, geography, history, education, and the natural environment. Things that are considered standard in Japan are not always so in other countries, and this practical experience in intercultural understanding has greatly broadened my perspective on my future goal of entrepreneurship.

Message for Students Interested in The Program

The Philippines is filled with beautiful natural scenery, including the famous beaches of Cebu Island. Meanwhile, the capital city of Manila is bustling with commercial and office buildings. However, striking inequalities are also evident; for example, you may see a sturdy mansion next to a house destroyed by a typhoon or encounter children unable to attend school due to farm work, preventing them from receiving adequate education. These are just a few examples, as developing countries face a variety of challenges. This is precisely why the Philippines is an ideal place for nurturing social entrepreneurship. Embrace this opportunity to create your own unique business idea through hands-on experience in the Philippines, a place brimming with issues to solve and growth potential. Who knows—your business idea might one day make a significant impact on the Philippines!