立教大学

On February 2–3, 2026, over 30 MPMA students from Bangladesh, Cambodia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Laos, Nepal, the Philippines, and Vietnam explored Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island. The region was first developed in the late 19th century because it had a lot of natural resources. It is a good example of how farming and mining economies changed into service-oriented economies. After arriving at New Chitose Airport, the group visited the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, where they saw huge "Ice Museums" made from the lake's clear waters. The students then went to Jozankei, a hot spring resort, where they had traditional dinner in yukatas and explored the beautiful "Night Lantern Street" at a local shrine.
The second day included an exciting hike through the snow, showing how Hokkaido is successful at hosting tourists in the winter, and a trip to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido.
This hands-on experience gave the students important insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of regional development in the periphery. It connected the classroom theory to real-world transformation.