Hamamatsu to Become a Creative Hub for University Students: The "WA-Creative Tour 2026" Practicing Happy Relationships Between Region and Future
The Waguri Council, together with five regional companies including Shizuoka Shimbun and Suzuki, will launch the "WA-Creative Tour" in 2026. This industry-academia-government collaborative program targets university students in Tokyo and Kansai, offering fieldwork in Hamamatsu's industrial and food sectors to solve regional issues and provide new perspectives on career paths.
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Building on two years of previous study tours, this program is a practical fieldwork initiative targeting university students in the Tokyo and Kansai metropolitan areas, focusing on the "manufacturing industry" and "food culture" of the Enshu-Hamamatsu region. Through company visits, agricultural experiences, and workshops, the program provides opportunities to practically address regional issues, aiming to revitalize the regional community and nurture next-generation talent.
In fiscal 2026, the program will collaborate with multiple universities including Ritsumeikan, Rissho, Hosei, Aoyama Gakuin, and Rikkyo, with a total annual enrollment of approximately 70 students. Teams will be organized by themes such as "Food," "Information Content," "Mobility," "Music," and "Learning." Through dialogues and feedback from management and young employees of participating companies, they will ultimately present solutions to regional issues. The 2026 program kicks off with a lecture at Ritsumeikan University on May 22. The period until August will be an input phase to deepen understanding of the history, culture, and industry of the Enshu area, followed by fieldwork in the region in September. Afterward, students will engage in project design and output creation from October toward a pitch contest scheduled for January.
Furthermore, this initiative goes beyond mere company visits. It is characterized by enabling students to concretely imagine working and living in the region, offering a new perspective on career choice: not just "which company to join," but "which region to work in." For companies, it is positioned as an initiative to connect with future talent and reduce recruitment mismatches.
From this year, the collaboration with universities has been further strengthened, and the program is being implemented as an accredited educational course.
FAQ
What is the WA-Creative Tour program?
It is a practical fieldwork education program that focuses on the 'manufacturing industry' and 'food culture' of Enshu-Hamamatsu, targeting university students from the Tokyo and Kansai regions, and involves collaboration between industry, academia, and government.
What is the purpose of the program?
The program aims to provide students with practical opportunities to consider solutions to regional issues, promote the revitalization of local communities, nurture the next generation of talent, and offer perspectives on career choices, including employment in the region.
Which universities are participating?
Multiple universities are involved, including Ritsumeikan University, Rissho University, Hosei University, Aoyama Gakuin University, and Rikkyo University.
What activities are included in the program?
Students learn about the region through company visits, agricultural experiences, and workshops. They work in teams to develop ideas for solving regional issues and ultimately present them in a pitch contest.
What benefits do companies gain from the program?
Companies can expect benefits such as creating touchpoints with future leaders and reducing hiring mismatches by deepening students' understanding of the region.