Two students from Far Eastern University’s Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance, Jade Ann Ilagan (BSBA Marketing Management) and Josh Miguel Tagle (BSBA Financial Management), represented the Philippines in the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths (JENESYS) Students Conference in Japan from Jan. 13 to 20.
Organized by the Japan International Cooperation Center, the JENESYS Programme aims to strengthen cultural exchange and cooperation between Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
Key conference themes were “Climate Change and Disaster Prevention (Theme A),” “Education and Digital Technology (Theme B),” and “Startups and International Collaboration (Theme C).” Representing FEU, Ilagan and Tagle were selected to participate under Theme C.
The program opened at Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by visits to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations–Japan Centre and the Tokyo Innovation Base, where participants learned about Japan’s growing startup ecosystem. The Theme C group then traveled to Tochigi Prefecture to meet local government officials, startup support organizations, and social enterprise leaders.
A two-day homestay immersion allowed delegates to experience Japanese culture through traditional activities such as tea ceremonies, cooking, skiing, farming, and community engagement.
Then they returned to Tokyo for lectures and action-planning workshops led by experts, including Dr. Seiichiro Yonekura of Hitotsubashi University. Delegates presented their proposed solutions to societal challenges before ASEAN and Japanese evaluators, ending the program with a cultural farewell dinner.
The participation of FEU’s delegates reflects the university’s commitment to global engagement and the development of young leaders who can contribute to ASEAN–Japan cooperation.
