NEWS

On May 28, 2026, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) and Ishikawa Prefecture signed a “Partnership Agreement on International Contribution through Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).” The signing ceremony was attended by Ishikawa Governor Yoshinori Yamano and APU President Hiroshi Yoneyama, who formally signed the agreement. This marks APU’s first partnership agreement with a prefecture outside Oita.
Ishikawa Prefecture has been promoting regional development and international exchange by leveraging the GIAHS site “Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi,” including the acceptance of overseas trainees. Meanwhile, APU has advanced international education and research within a multicultural environment and has fostered individuals capable of addressing regional challenges through field studies conducted both in Japan and abroad.
Through this agreement, APU’s global outlook and educational and research capabilities will be combined with Ishikawa Prefecture’s expertise in GIAHS. This collaboration aims to create practical learning opportunities to address regional challenges such as tourism and disaster recovery. It will also contribute to the development of human resources capable of solving local issues, while promoting sustainable regional development and expanding the population engaged with the Noto region.

Areas of Collaboration

1. Ishikawa Prefecture will provide APU with training opportunities in Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi, including field surveys, work experience, and discussions with stakeholders aimed at solving local challenges. The prefecture will also support human resource development and share information to promote exchange.
2. APU will actively participate in and cooperate with training programs conducted by Ishikawa Prefecture. From academic and global perspectives, APU will offer proposals addressing regional issues in Noto, while also disseminating information provided by the prefecture within the university to promote exchange.
3. Both parties will collaborate and cooperate on other matters deemed necessary through mutual consultation.

Planned Initiatives for FY2026

• Field Study: “Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi: Regional Recovery and Sustainability through GIAHS” (August)
• Dissemination of information on Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi within APU

Comments from Representatives

Hiroshi Yoneyama, President, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Even before the Noto Peninsula earthquake and heavy rain disasters, APU—led primarily by faculty members in the College of Sustainability and Tourism—had steadily built roots with Ishikawa Prefecture centered on GIAHS initiatives. It is highly meaningful that we have reached this agreement after overcoming a period of disruption caused by these disasters. From this academic year, we are able to offer field studies in Ishikawa Prefecture as part of the official curriculum. Through problem-based learning on-site in Ishikawa, our diverse student body, including international students, will actively engage in regional recovery and sustainable development. I sincerely hope that they will grow into individuals who can contribute to the international community, and that their efforts will support the recovery and sustainable future of the Noto region.

Yoshinori Yamano, Governor of Ishikawa Prefecture

I am delighted that we have been able to conclude this partnership agreement with Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University on international contribution through GIAHS. Since “Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi” was recognized in 2011 as the first GIAHS site in a developed country, Ishikawa Prefecture has actively engaged in international contribution by welcoming overseas trainees to the region. Through this agreement, we will provide APU students with learning opportunities related to regional revitalization efforts, including recovery initiatives in Noto. In doing so, we aim to foster individuals who can contribute to solving regional challenges in their home countries. We hope that this collaboration will lead to an expansion of the population engaged with Noto and that the relationship between APU and Ishikawa Prefecture will continue to develop in a mutually beneficial manner.