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On Monday, August 18, the “Young Islanders Forum Japan” was held by the Japan Remote Islands Center, a public interest incorporated foundation. High school students from remote islands across Japan shared their island life, learning, and challenges, delivered messages for a sustainable future, and shared their vision for the future of remote islands with the next generation both domestically and internationally through video works and talk sessions.
Part 1: Promoting the Charm of the Islands – An Invitation to Five Islands –
In Part 1, five high school students from Tokunoshima, the Goto Islands, Iki Island, and Okushiri Island took the stage. Taiyo Mori of Kagoshima Prefectural Tokunoshima High School spoke about the abundant nature and warmth of the people, describing the “freedom born from inconvenience.” Kazuho Izumi of Nagasaki Prefectural Goto Kaiyo High School likened himself to a food label, saying, “30% island love, 20% islander smiles…” and spoke of the pride and spirit of challenge he gained from growing up on an island. Kanta Ikebuchi of Nagasaki Prefectural Iki High School shared a video of him traveling around the island with his friends, and Kouki Yamaguchi of the same school introduced the charms of Iki Island, known as “the island where the gods reside,” in the form of a quiz, spreading regional pride while touching on festivals and food culture. Akikari Itagaki, currently studying abroad at Okushiri High School in Hokkaido, spoke passionately about the potential of remote islands, describing the charms of Okushiri Island and her experience studying abroad on the island as “being able to take on challenges precisely because there is nothing there.”
Part 2: Nagasaki Prefectural Tsushima High School UNESCO Associated Schools Club
In Part 2, the Nagasaki Prefectural Tsushima High School UNESCO Associated Schools Club took the stage and, under the theme “Tsushima’s Wind, Seeds for the Future,” introduced their activities toward achieving the SDGs while protecting the region’s unique nature and culture. They presented a wide range of initiatives, including the protection of the rare Tsushima wildcat, environmental education in collaboration with local residents, and an exchange program with Korea. The students commented, “We want to further spread these activities globally,” emphasizing the importance of proactively addressing local issues.
Part 3: Exchanges between Remote Island High School Students and Messages for the Future
In Part 3, under the theme “Our Bridge to the Future,” the students engaged in a free discussion, taking a positive approach to challenges such as population decline and transportation inconvenience, stating, “It’s the inconvenience that allows us to help each other,” and “It’s precisely because we have nothing that we can act independently and create.” Furthermore, messages such as “I want you to experience island youth” and “I want you to visit a remote island at least once” resonated strongly with audiences in person and online.
At the end of the event, the participating high school students made a powerful declaration of hope and determination for the future of remote islands, inspiring many people with a new perspective and an opportunity to take action.
▼The event is available to watch on YouTube’s BLUE OCEAN DOME official channel. Please take a look.
【#097】Young Islanders Forum Japan(ZERI JAPAN/Japan Remote Islands Center, a public interest incorporated foundation)