After visiting Kamikatsu, we traveled to Kitakyushu, one of Japan’s first SDGs Future Cities. Kitakyushu has transformed from an industrial engine with serious pollution to a leader in sustainability, using technology and community efforts to tackle environmental, economic, and social challenges.
🌏 The program in started out with hearing the collaboration between JICA, IGES, Shabondama Soap Co., Ltd, and Kitakyushu City and University to prevent forest fires in Indonesia using eco-friendly fire extinguishing agent. It was a great example of how Japanese companies and various stakeholders can work together to tackle global environmental issues through the JICA SDGs Biz framework.
🔋 We explored Eco-Town and Next-generation Energy Park, seeing actual onshore wind farms and a solar panel plants. Learning about the innovations behind wind turbine foundations at Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd., and wind turbine maintenance service and training by Hokutaku Co., Ltd. were genuinely inspiring. We also saw how solar panels are recycled in heat decomposition process at Shinryo Corporation—a crucial development towards a solar panel disposal challenge by 2040.
👕 Also, we delved into circular economy initiatives by as JEPLAN and Kokura Shima Shima; the chemical recycling of clothes and PET bottles are woven into traditional fabrics, Kokura-Stripe. It was fascinating to see how businesses combine innovation and tradition, turning waste into beautiful, durable products.
🚮 We even got our hands dirty at a beach cleanup in Wakamatsu Iwaya Beach! It was a humbling experience that showed how small actions can collectively make a big difference in protecting our environment.
🍵 To top it off, Japanese traditional tea ceremony reminded us that sustainability isn’t just about high-tech solutions but also about preserving traditions and living in harmony with nature.
We are deeply inspired by Kitakyushu’s blend of renewable energy, circular economy practices, and cultural sustainability. We’re eager to bring these ideas back home and contribute to a more sustainable future! 🌍💡Finally, we sincerely thank everyone who participated in our journey in Kitakyushu.
(Reported by the participants)
