"Taiwan × Fukuoka: The Cross-Border Journey of Engineers Begins" — Nashite Fukuoka Vol.3 to be held on June 30 at Engineer Cafe (Fukuoka Tenjin), featuring Naoki Kumamoto, Director of the Kyushu-Taiwan Future Institute, exploring career border-crossing and co-creation

The community project 'Nashite Fukuoka (?FUK)', where locals and migrants explore Fukuoka's potential together, will host 'Why Do Overseas Migrants Gather in Fukuoka? Vol.3' on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Engineer Cafe (Fukuoka Tenjin).

Nashite Fukuoka is operated as a voluntary organization and is a non-profit, citizen-led co-creation project.

As Mana Ashima, who relocated to Fukuoka in February 2026, is one of the initiators, La torche Inc. (headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo; CEO: Mana Ashima; hereinafter "the company") serves as the operational secretariat.

Event Overview

Event Name: Why Do Overseas Migrants Gather in Fukuoka? Nashite Fukuoka Vol.3 "Taiwan × Fukuoka: The Cross-Border Journey of Engineers Begins" Date and Time: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 18:00–20:00 (Registration from 17:45) Venue: Engineer Cafe (Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City) Admission: Free Registration: https://www.vida-academy.jp/p/nashitefukuoka03 (Same-day participation possible; after-event networking session available) Details: https://nashitefukuoka.jp/

This Event's Theme

In Kyushu, where semiconductor industries such as TSMC are increasingly concentrated, the relationship with Taiwan is becoming ever more critical in terms of tech ecosystems. Simultaneously, the emergence of AI is rapidly blurring the boundaries between engineers and business professionals.

At this event, we welcome Naoki Kumamoto, Director of the Kyushu-Taiwan Future Institute, as a guest speaker to share on-the-ground insights into AI and tech utilization in Taiwan. Following this, engineers, digital nomads, and specialists from various fields will form mixed teams to concretely explore what can be created from Fukuoka by leveraging Taiwan's technological trends, developing project and product concepts through a hands-on workshop (including mockup creation using generative AI).

What You'll Take Home from This Evening

- The ability to articulate how your skills and experiences can be applied within the context of the Taiwan-Kyushu tech ecosystem - Concrete ideas for solving technical challenges by combining engineering perspectives with cross-border experiences - Real connections with like-minded engineers and digital nomads who share the same questions, ready to take action immediately after the event

Guest Profile

Naoki Kumamoto Director, Kyushu-Taiwan Future Institute (KTVI) An expert who has long researched and practiced the intersection of tech ecosystems between Taiwan and Kyushu. https://www.ktvi.org/advisor/naoki-kumamoto

Recommended For

- Engineers and those interested in engineering - Professionals using AI and technology in their work or creative expression - Digital nomads and individuals with cross-border careers - Those interested in Taiwan and Asia's tech scenes - Individuals aiming to expand globally from Fukuoka, aspiring entrepreneurs, and students

About Nashite Fukuoka

Project Name: Nashite Fukuoka (?FUK) Form: Voluntary organization (non-profit) Official Website: https://nashitefukuoka.jp/ ※ Core Members: Sohgen Ichikado (relocated from Chiang Mai to Fukuoka), Mana Ashima (relocated from Canada to Itoshima), Shunji Kuruma (relocated from Georgia to Fukuoka) Operational Secretariat: La torche Inc. Contact: nashite.fukuoka@gmail.com ※ Newsletter Registration: Register via the official website to access archived videos of past events.

Core Member Profiles

About La torche Inc. (Operational Secretariat)

La torche Inc., serving as the operational secretariat for Nashite Fukuoka, has systematized "Brain Management" based on cognitive science to support transformation processes for individuals, organizations, and communities. The company specializes in designing co-creation processes that enable people from diverse backgrounds to collaborate beyond friction, turning differences into strengths and unlocking unique potentials.

Mana Ashima, CEO, is the author of "Brain Management: The Technology to Harness Your Brain for Uniqueness and Creativity" (also available in English and Korean editions) and received the special award in the "New Era Leaders" category from The Wall Street Journal in 2025. To practice her long-held experience of living in an environment where "differences are normal" in Vancouver, Canada, she relocated to Itoshima, Fukuoka, in February 2026. Immediately afterward, she became one of the initiators of Nashite Fukuoka as a practical platform for co-creation through mutual appreciation of differences. Corporate Website: https://latorche.jp/