NEWS

On October 21, 2024, Japan Entertainment Inc. (based in Nago City, Okinawa; hereinafter, "Japan Entertainment") and Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University signed a comprehensive partnership agreement aimed at developing advanced tourism professionals to support Japan’s tourism industry.

Japan Entertainment is spearheading the JUNGLIA project, a new theme park scheduled to open in northern Okinawa in 2025, with a focus on revitalizing the regional economy and promoting the tourism industry. This agreement combines the strengths of both organizations to foster tourism professionals equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Primary Focus: Long-Term Internship Program

At the heart of this partnership is a long-term internship program offering hands-on experience in Okinawa’s tourism sector. The program is open to students from all APU colleges, who will stay in northern Okinawa for three to four months learning and working at JUNGLIA or with local tourism operators.

Approximately 20 students are expected to participate in this internship in the first year. Starting in 2026, after the completion of Japan Entertainment’s multi-purpose lodging and training facility, the program aims to accommodate around 100 students annually.

Key Initiatives of the Agreement

The partnership focuses on the following four pillars:

• Development of Advanced Professionals
  Students will acquire practical skills through direct experience in the tourism industry.
• Integration of Research and Practice
  Educational initiatives will promote the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios by way of fieldwork.
• Revitalization of the Regional Economy
  The collaboration will maximize the use of local tourism resources to support the growth of the tourism industry.
• Unique Long-Term Internship
  The program provides a comprehensive cycle of learning, practical application, proposal-making, and evaluation to ensure holistic student growth.

This partnership aims to make Kyushu and Okinawa hubs for tourism talent development, thereby contributing to Japan’s national goal of becoming a leading tourism-oriented nation.