Students from Chiba University and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Canada will team up for a collaborative program on the theme of Regional Revitalization x Tourism x Entrepreneurship.
This year’s theme is “From a Transportation Hub to a Place of Experience: Reimagining the Narita Airport Area for International Tourists.
Mixed teams from Japan and Canada will explore business ideas to transform foreign travelers passing through Narita Airport into visitors who “stay, experience, consume, and enjoy” the Narita Airport area, and test their effectiveness. This is a practical program in which participants discover local problems and formulate business ideas in the area around Narita Airport, and then travel to Toronto, Canada, to work consistently on local verification.
Recommended for
- Want to challenge group work with overseas university students
- Are interested in regional issues and tourism business
- Want to learn the basic skills required for entrepreneurship
- Want to communicate the attractiveness of Chiba and Japan to the rest of the world
[ Schedule ] (tentative)
*Part 1|Chiba Program (face-to-face ): June 18 (Thu) – 22 (Mon), 2026
*Part 2|Online preparation period: July – early August 2026
*Part 3|Toronto Program (face-to-face): Sunday, August 23, 2026 (departure) – Sunday, August 30, 2026 (return)
*Detailed schedule will be announced as soon as it is finalized.
[ Program Contents ]
* Part 1: Chiba Program (with overnight stay)
Workshops, market research, user interviews, and presentations will be held at Chiba University and Narita area.
* Part 2: Online preparation period
Online mentoring and hypothesis design will be conducted in preparation for validation in Toronto.
* Part 3: Toronto Program
We will validate the ideas built in Chiba. Workshops, user interviews, and final presentation presentation will be scheduled.
[ Location ] Chiba University, Chiba/Narita area, Toronto (Canada), etc.
[ Target ] Undergraduate and graduate students (both master’s and doctoral students) currently enrolled in a GTIE participating university (*)
*18 universities participating in GTIE
Waseda University, University of Tokyo, Tokyo University of Science, University of Tsukuba, Chiba University, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Ochanomizu University, Kanagawa University of Health and Welfare, Yokohama National University, Yokohama City University, Keio University, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo University of Science, Ibaraki University, Sophia University, Tokai University, Chuo University
[ Number of applicants ]
About 10 people (selection will be made in case of a large number of applicants)
[Application Requirements ]
Applicants must be able to participate in the entire program (Chiba, online, and travel to Toronto).
Have the consent of their home university to participate in all activities of the program (except for Chiba University students)
Willingness to take on the challenge of communicating and presenting in English.
*There is no language requirement, but communication with TMU students and presentations will be conducted in English.
Have an interest in entrepreneurship and solving regional problems.
Have insurance coverage designated by their university, such as “Accident Insurance for Student Education and Research” and “Gakkensai Liability Insurance”.
*Please make sure to check with your home university to see if you are covered by such insurance for the activities of this program. If not, please take out accident insurance at your own risk in case of accidents during participation.
[Application Deadline ]
June 4 (Thursday), 17:00 * Deadline to be strictly observed.
(The notification of participation decision is scheduled to be made on June 11 (Thu.).
[How to apply ]
Please fill out the application form below.
https://forms.gle/V5Mo42LphZtvnryEA
[Cost burden ]
-University will bear the majority of the costs.
*Most of the program participation fee, travel expenses, etc. will be supported by the 2nd Staeco Formation Support Program (GTIE).
Program participation fee
Travel and accommodation expenses (Narita and Toronto)
Travel and accommodation expenses (in Narita city and Toronto) – Self-paid expenses
Overseas travel insurance
*Please note that the university you belong to will provide you with insurance for your extracurricular activities overseas.
Passport fee (for those who do not have a valid passport)
Application fee for electronic travel authorization (eTA): 7 Canadian dollars (about 820 yen at an exchange rate of 117 yen to 1 Canadian dollar)
Transportation between home and airport (Narita Airport)
Meals (breakfast included during the stay in Narita, 3 meals included during the stay in Toronto)
Local transportation (Chiba/Narita area / Canada (Toronto))
Local tour fees
Other personal expenses (communication, laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
Visa application fee (only for those who need it depending on their nationality), etc.
[Others]
In addition to the above, the participants will also be required to purchase travel insurance and other insurance specified by the university they belong to.
In principle, no withdrawals will be accepted after the selection process has been completed.
*In the event that a participant withdraws from the program for personal reasons after it has been selected, the participant will be required to pay the cancellation fee.
In the event that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan issues an overseas safety report for the area related to the program, or if the University deems it impossible to ensure the safety of the participants during their trip to the area, the University will not be held responsible for the cancellation fee.
The program may be cancelled or suspended if the University deems it impossible to ensure the safety of the participants during their trip to the relevant area.
There is a possibility that you will share a room with other participants.
*Please specify “Global Entrepreneurship Program (Canada)” in the subject line of your email.
