NEWS

On May 15, 2026, APU and Eternal Hospitality Group Co., Ltd. entered into a comprehensive partnership agreement to promote collaboration through the effective use of each other's human and physical resources. The signing ceremony was attended by Tadashi Okura, President and CEO of Eternal Hospitality Group, and Hiroshi Yoneyama, President of APU, who signed the agreement.

Eternal Hospitality Group is a company that has continued to grow since the founding of “Torikizoku” in 1985, guided by the vision of “brightening the world through yakitori.” What began as a single-brand chain has evolved into a multi-brand strategy, including the integration of brands such as Yakitori Daikichi. The company is also accelerating its globalization efforts through proactive overseas expansion, with the aim of sharing Japanese yakitori culture with the world.

This agreement aims to integrate APU’s diverse educational and research resources with Eternal Hospitality Group’s expertise in business creation. Through this collaboration, both parties strive to cultivate leaders with diverse perspectives, promote the social implementation of universal design, and further accelerate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives.

Areas of Collaboration

1. Sharing global management expertise held by Eternal Hospitality Group and promoting educational exchange
2. Co-creation activities utilizing multicultural research and resources
3. Contribution to solving global societal challenges
4. Mutual exchange of human resources
5. Strategic collaboration to achieve comprehensive objectives

Key Initiatives

●Development and Exchange of Global Talent

Promote interaction between APU students and employees of Eternal Hospitality Group to　foster leaders with diverse perspectives.

● Creation of New Businesses Based on Multicultural Coexistence

Through workshops at APU’s international student residence "AP House" and Torikizoku Beppu branch, participants will learn about global food cultures and values, and jointly explore new business models that transcend national and cultural boundaries.

● Contribution to an Inclusive Society

Enhance initiatives aimed at creating a society where foreign workers and people from diverse backgrounds can thrive together.

Comments from Representatives

Hiroshi Yoneyama, President, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

We are very pleased to have concluded this comprehensive partnership agreement with Eternal Hospitality Group. APU has promoted education and research that connects local communities and the world, leveraging our multicultural and multinational environment. Meanwhile, Eternal Hospitality Group has expanded its business globally while fostering a workplace where diverse talent can thrive and creating new value. Through this agreement, we will further expand opportunities for students and stakeholders to engage in value creation while addressing social challenges by combining our knowledge and practical platforms. From here in Beppu, we will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of local communities, society, and the world by promoting a multicultural and inclusive society.

Tadashi Okura, President and CEO, Eternal Hospitality Group Co., Ltd.

Our group’s vision, ‘Global YAKITORI Family,’ aims to brighten the world by transcending borders and cultures through yakitori, a proud element of Japanese food culture. APU, with its diverse student body, embodies the multicultural society we aspire to create. Through this partnership, we are highly encouraged to work together with APU not only in contributing to regional economic development but also in fostering talent that will lead global society.