AEON Co., Ltd. and HAO Chinese Academy Launch Collaborative Project: 'Learning Chinese with a Travel Vibe' Column in Partnership with YouTube Channel 'Ikki Tankenchu'!

HAO Chinese Academy, operated by AEON Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Taku Shigeno; hereinafter "AEON"), will launch a collaborative content series featuring linked videos and columns with creator Ikki, who runs the YouTube channel "Ikki Tankenchu," starting Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

"Ikki Tankenchu" delivers video content to Japanese audiences featuring Ikki's travels in China, with the theme of "Making travel to China more accessible, and making travel to China more peaceful." In this collaboration, HAO's team of instructors will provide column-based explanations of the Chinese expressions used in these videos. By engaging with the local scenes, actual spoken Chinese, and the current state of Chinese society through these videos, the learning process becomes more enjoyable and practical.

The first column will introduce "native-like expressions" taken from conversations between Ikki and his friends while traveling in China. The first installment is scheduled for release on Tuesday, March 31, with a total of 12 updates planned, appearing twice a month thereafter.

This project was born from a desire to deliver "living Chinese expressions" that are difficult to find in textbooks alone. HAO Chinese Academy will continue to support students in their long-term and deep Chinese language studies, valuing learning that encompasses not just language acquisition, but also the culture and mindset behind the words.

Column URL (Scheduled for release on March 31, 2026): https://www.hao-net.com/column/

Features: Learning "Living Chinese" Through Video

1. Carefully Selected Native Expressions Rarely Found in Textbooks We pick up and explain realistic phrases from the videos that appear frequently in actual conversation but are rarely covered in standard textbooks.

2. A Practical Style of Learning "Whole from Video" Experience the context—what situation and what nuance—in which phrases are used through video. By memorizing phrases in their entirety along with the information received through ears and eyes, you will acquire practical skills that can be used immediately.

3. The Most Realistic View of China and Increased Motivation Videos introduce the latest local information that changes moment by moment, as well as real-life scenery not found in guidebooks. Learning while having fun will dramatically increase your motivation to study Chinese.

Profile Ikki Operates the YouTube channel "Ikki Tankenchu," which broadcasts information about traveling in China to Japanese audiences. While attending Waseda University, he studied abroad at the University of Redlands (USA) and Peking University (China), majoring in International Relations and Peace Studies. As a backpacker, he has traveled to over 20 countries and gained diverse experience in the field of international cooperation, including an internship at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and election monitoring activities with an international NGO in Thailand. During this time, he was particularly drawn to the profound charm of China and, passionate about building sustainable peace between Japan and China, he earned a Master's degree in Chinese Studies (majoring in Politics and International Relations) from Peking University Graduate School. Currently, while working in Japan, he shares information about traveling in China on various social media platforms in his private time, based on his belief of "making travel to China more accessible, and making travel to China more peaceful." He has traveled through over 70 cities in 24 Chinese provinces and visited 36 World Heritage sites. With beautiful footage and practical information, he has gained support and reached a total of 150,000 followers on social media.

[About HAO Chinese Academy] Since its opening in 2004, HAO Chinese Academy has contributed to the development of Chinese language education in Japan with the mission of providing "high-quality Chinese lessons" and "sincere service" in learning Chinese (Standard Chinese and Taiwan Mandarin). To respond to an era of diversification, we have established various learning styles such as "e-learning," "online lessons," and "in-person lessons." As a specialized institution for Chinese language education, we have enriched our curriculum to include introductory Chinese, business Chinese, preparation for Chinese proficiency tests, and preparation for the national interpreter-guide examination. We will continue to pursue reforms for the further development of Chinese language education in Japan.

◆ HAO Chinese Academy Official Website: https://www.hao-net.com/

[About AEON] Since its founding in 1973, AEON has aimed to enrich the lives of its customers through language education, with the philosophy of "removing language barriers with the world and supporting everyone to play an active role globally."

Using learning methods cultivated over more than 50 years, we provide English and Chinese lessons for everyone from adults to children. Through the dual approach of "knowledge acquisition" and "practical training," we support learners in overcoming weaknesses, improving communication skills, mastering conversational skills for daily life and business, and obtaining certifications.

Since becoming part of the KDDI Group in 2018, we have been promoting EdTech that combines AEON's know-how with the KDDI Group's information and communication technology. By combining various methods such as in-person, online, and AI-based conversation apps, we provide the most effective learning methods tailored to the student's level and learning style.