Relay Talk
Kagawa University student panelists at the Students' Summit
"Through our participation in the Students’ Summit in Takamatsu, Kagawa"
Mr. Keisuke Hinoda
As our societies face a variety of challenges, I was able to gain many insights in discussions with various students and people from G7 countries on how to realize sustainable cities. In terms of creating sustainable cities, I felt that it was essential, especially for us, the younger generation, to connect with a diverse range of people, bring our minds together, and generate ideas for the future. And as I learned about cities around the world at the student summit and took a fresh look at Takamatsu in Kagawa, I came to be proud of this city that I was intimately familiar with.
Ms. Rinne Kayashima
Having participated in this Students’ Summit in Takamatsu, Kagawa, I’ve come to hope that the goodness of Takamatsu City will continue for many years and decades to come. The first time I set foot in this area was when I enrolled in university here, and I remember being overwhelmed by all the sights, such as the view of the Seto Inland Sea as seen from Takamatsu Station and the very long shopping street. This summit was about the future of Takamatsu City. I hope to build on what we have learned in this event to continue our search for a vision for cities that will carry us into the future.
Mr. Ibuki Yoneda
Through this activity, we realized the differences in the way people in Japan and the rest of the world think about things, and learned that in order to realize sustainable cities, all of us who live in this modern world need to think proactively. Also, as a student living in Takamatsu, Kagawa, I was proud to learn that Takamatsu is actively engaged in various initiatives, and this led to my decision to continue working toward the realization of a sustainable city that will serve as a model for the rest of the world.
Having participated in this Students’ Summit in Takamatsu, Kagawa, I’ve come to hope that the goodness of Takamatsu City will continue for many years and decades to come. The first time I set foot in this area was when I enrolled in university here, and I remember being overwhelmed by all the sights, such as the view of the Seto Inland Sea as seen from Takamatsu Station and the very long shopping street. This summit was about the future of Takamatsu City. I hope to build on what we have learned in this event to continue our search for a vision for cities that will carry us into the future.
Mr. Ibuki Yoneda
Through this activity, we realized the differences in the way people in Japan and the rest of the world think about things, and learned that in order to realize sustainable cities, all of us who live in this modern world need to think proactively. Also, as a student living in Takamatsu, Kagawa, I was proud to learn that Takamatsu is actively engaged in various initiatives, and this led to my decision to continue working toward the realization of a sustainable city that will serve as a model for the rest of the world.
Ms. Fuku Kouzai
In talking with observers from the G7 countries, I felt that they were ahead of us in Japan in terms of their sense of deciding for themselves how to live their lives, and their ideas and awareness of individual action on environmental issues. I have learned that each of us living in cities must take actions to maintain a sustainable environment, rather than expecting someone else to change the status quo to realize sustainable cities. I would like to share our thoughts with many other people and work together to increase the number of fellow citizens who love our community.
Ms. Miho Tanaka
I was able to deepen my thoughts on sustainable cities with people of different nationalities and faculties with diverse opinions. There were times when our opinions differed, but I came away with new insights, and I think this was also a very important opportunity for enriching my thinking. It is easier to come up with good ideas when people with different opinions get together and have discussions. I will never forget this valuable experience and always continue to think about what it means to be sustainable.
In talking with observers from the G7 countries, I felt that they were ahead of us in Japan in terms of their sense of deciding for themselves how to live their lives, and their ideas and awareness of individual action on environmental issues. I have learned that each of us living in cities must take actions to maintain a sustainable environment, rather than expecting someone else to change the status quo to realize sustainable cities. I would like to share our thoughts with many other people and work together to increase the number of fellow citizens who love our community.
Ms. Miho Tanaka
I was able to deepen my thoughts on sustainable cities with people of different nationalities and faculties with diverse opinions. There were times when our opinions differed, but I came away with new insights, and I think this was also a very important opportunity for enriching my thinking. It is easier to come up with good ideas when people with different opinions get together and have discussions. I will never forget this valuable experience and always continue to think about what it means to be sustainable.
Mr. Daiki Fukai
I was reminded of the difficulty of tackling the unanswerable question of what sustainable cities are. I realized that, precisely because we live in these cities, it was important to have a perspective of what it is that makes us feel like we would like to continue to live in our cities comfortably. I would like to make use of what I learned at the Students’ Summit and work toward the realization of a "sustainable city" that will coexist with many people, and with the unique culture and history of their communities.
Ms. Mao Masaki
I was very happy to have this opportunity to participate in the Students’ Summit. As I engaged with people with various values and perspectives, I was able to rethink the importance of inclusive societies and the future of cities. In order for Takamatsu, Kagawa to remain a happy and beloved city for centuries to come, we, the people who are responsible for the future of our society, must take the initiative and play an active role.
I was reminded of the difficulty of tackling the unanswerable question of what sustainable cities are. I realized that, precisely because we live in these cities, it was important to have a perspective of what it is that makes us feel like we would like to continue to live in our cities comfortably. I would like to make use of what I learned at the Students’ Summit and work toward the realization of a "sustainable city" that will coexist with many people, and with the unique culture and history of their communities.
Ms. Mao Masaki
I was very happy to have this opportunity to participate in the Students’ Summit. As I engaged with people with various values and perspectives, I was able to rethink the importance of inclusive societies and the future of cities. In order for Takamatsu, Kagawa to remain a happy and beloved city for centuries to come, we, the people who are responsible for the future of our society, must take the initiative and play an active role.
Ms. Konoka Sakamoto
I participated in the Students’ Summit in Takamatsu as a speaker and discussed sustainable cities with observers from the G7. From listening to the opinions of people from other countries, I began to see the differences between Japan and other countries. In particular, I learned there were considerable differences in terms of vehicle regulations and the prevalence of bicycle lanes. I would like to build on the insights I gained from this experience to work toward creating a sustainable city.
Mr. Hisato Okumura
By taking part in the G7 Students’ Summit and symposium, I was able to think about future visions for cities. Listening to the observers from G7, I was able to see specific examples and get an idea of cities, such as walkable cities, that were different from what we find in Japan. I also learned that the redevelopment of the Takamatsu Station area was also based on the perspective of creating a sustainable city. I was impressed by what the observer from Bulgaria said toward the end of the summit. That is, that the reason for studying history was to reflect on the past and preserve traditions. I felt that, when thinking of urban development in Japan, we must not forget the perspective of reflecting on past environmental problems, and have respect for what local people have preserved over the years.
I participated in the Students’ Summit in Takamatsu as a speaker and discussed sustainable cities with observers from the G7. From listening to the opinions of people from other countries, I began to see the differences between Japan and other countries. In particular, I learned there were considerable differences in terms of vehicle regulations and the prevalence of bicycle lanes. I would like to build on the insights I gained from this experience to work toward creating a sustainable city.
Mr. Hisato Okumura
By taking part in the G7 Students’ Summit and symposium, I was able to think about future visions for cities. Listening to the observers from G7, I was able to see specific examples and get an idea of cities, such as walkable cities, that were different from what we find in Japan. I also learned that the redevelopment of the Takamatsu Station area was also based on the perspective of creating a sustainable city. I was impressed by what the observer from Bulgaria said toward the end of the summit. That is, that the reason for studying history was to reflect on the past and preserve traditions. I felt that, when thinking of urban development in Japan, we must not forget the perspective of reflecting on past environmental problems, and have respect for what local people have preserved over the years.
Ms. Mao Ujike
Having participated in the G7 Students’ Summit, I learned that many people have been putting their minds together to think of the future of Takamatsu City. I listened to the exchange of ideas about the future we want, and I had the opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings. This gave me a strong sense of hope for realizing a sustainable city.
Ms. Suzuka Horiguchi
Although I was unfortunately not able to participate in the actual event, actually hearing from people from various countries and positions, and having discussions with other students was a good opportunity for me to seriously face the topic of urban development. Now I strongly feel that, from now on, I would like to build on what I have learned from this experience to live my life with a sense of involvement as a stakeholder in the community in which I live. I would like to begin by understanding more about my own town and thinking about what I can do.
Mr. Yusuke Kume
Our student project team at Kagawa University made a proposal that we intended to communicate from Kagawa Prefecture to the world; a proposal aimed at building a sustainable city. I had a great realization when I heard Mr. Sasaki, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, speak about "Innovation and Cities" at the closing ceremony in response to our proposal: Cities have the functionality of creating new things. And I would like to pass our efforts on to the next generation with a true awareness of that I am a responsible citizen of Kagawa Prefecture.
Having participated in the G7 Students’ Summit, I learned that many people have been putting their minds together to think of the future of Takamatsu City. I listened to the exchange of ideas about the future we want, and I had the opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings. This gave me a strong sense of hope for realizing a sustainable city.
Ms. Suzuka Horiguchi
Although I was unfortunately not able to participate in the actual event, actually hearing from people from various countries and positions, and having discussions with other students was a good opportunity for me to seriously face the topic of urban development. Now I strongly feel that, from now on, I would like to build on what I have learned from this experience to live my life with a sense of involvement as a stakeholder in the community in which I live. I would like to begin by understanding more about my own town and thinking about what I can do.
Mr. Yusuke Kume
Our student project team at Kagawa University made a proposal that we intended to communicate from Kagawa Prefecture to the world; a proposal aimed at building a sustainable city. I had a great realization when I heard Mr. Sasaki, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, speak about "Innovation and Cities" at the closing ceremony in response to our proposal: Cities have the functionality of creating new things. And I would like to pass our efforts on to the next generation with a true awareness of that I am a responsible citizen of Kagawa Prefecture.