Suma Universal Beach Project and Osaka Health Science University Sign Partnership Agreement – Expanding Opportunities for Inclusive Experiences and Learning through Industry-Academia Collaboration

NPO Suma Universal Beach Project (hereinafter, Suma UBP), which aims to create beaches where everyone, with or without disabilities, can enjoy together, has signed a partnership agreement with Osaka Health Science University. Through this agreement, we will deepen mutual cooperation in fields such as event planning and management, education and human resource development, and research.

Suma UBP Message

Encounters are born precisely because it is the sea.

The insights gained from directly engaging with individuals with disabilities and their families, spending time together, and enjoying together, are invaluable and cannot be obtained through theoretical study.

Playing, talking, laughing—before you know it, the roles of 'supporter' and 'supported' disappear.

It is not merely a support activity, but a 'co-creation space' where everyone learns from each other.

Suma UBP is expanding rapidly, supported by the new ideas and proactive spirit of students.

"Universal Beach created by everyone"

The more people get involved, the more interesting and kinder the sea becomes.

We will continue to create such a place together.

Osaka Health Science University Message

As an educational and research institution in the health and medical field, our university values opportunities for students to engage with diverse issues in the local community and learn practically. Students also participate annually as volunteers in beach mat activities, cooperating to create an environment where everyone can safely enjoy the sea.

Through this agreement, we will further promote the creation of an environment where everyone can participate in activities with peace of mind, and foster human resources and research activities aimed at realizing an inclusive society.

Turning everyone's 'cannot' into 'can!'. Suma Universal Beach Project

<Organization Overview>

Organization Name: NPO Suma Universal Beach Project

Location: Dorf 21-102, 1-14-10 Komagabayashi-cho, Nagata-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

Representative: Shunsuke Kido

Established: November 2, 2017

URL: https://sumauniversalbeach.com/

Business Activities: With the motto of turning everyone's 'cannot' into 'can!', we are engaged in activities to promote universal design beaches that everyone, including people with disabilities, the elderly, and small children, can enjoy. Since fiscal year 2021, it has been featured in junior high school social studies textbooks (civics) under the title "People Aiming for a Sustainable Future" as an advanced example for achieving SDGs.

<Main Awards>

・Excellence Award, Public-Private Partnership Award (2026)

・ICC Summit Catapult Speaker (2025, 2026)

・Government Public Relations Official SNS Feature (FY2025)

・Blue Flag Best Practice Award, 2nd in the World (FY2023)

・Japan Tourism Agency Blue Flag Certification Case (FY2022, FY2023)

・Educational Publishing Junior High School Civics Textbook Feature (FY2021)

・Japan Tourism Agency Advanced Example for Realizing Sustainable Tourism (FY2020)

・IAUD International Universal Design Award Gold Award (2019)

・Hyogo Universal Society Creation Award (2018)

<Contact Information>

Inquiries regarding the release

NPO Suma Universal Beach Project PR Office

Contact: Tsuchihara (email: sumauniversalbeach@gmail.com, TEL: 080-3782-4405)