Japan-Hawai‘i Socio-Economic Innovation Initiative

A Global Citizenship Experience

The Japan-Hawai‘i Socio-Economic Innovation Initiative (JHSEII) launched in 2021 to integrate Nikkei, Hawaiian and U.S. cultural perspectives into a dynamic learning platform based on academic/research discovery and international collaboration. The initiative spotlights four hallmark programs designed to benefit Japan and the world by promoting a stronger understanding of global socio-economic issues while embracing a model of corporate social responsibility.

University students and business participants are invited to join a robust exchange of ideas that delve into socio-economic dialogue, scholarly exchange, regenerative tourism enhancement, disaster-risk response and environmental global stewardship.

This international exchange is directly supported by the deep institutional relationships and academic capacity of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa). The College of Social Sciences (CSS) at UH Mānoa maintains a strong foundation of long-term collaborative relationships with many partner universities in Japan, including Tohoku, Keio, Waseda and Kobe. As one of UH Mānoa’s largest and most globally focused colleges, CSS has helped over 3,000 alumni from Japan return home empowered with valuable knowledge and life experience. UH Mānoa is a fully accredited Research 1 University in Honolulu, recognized as the oldest and most prestigious university in the 10-campus UH System. CSS features popular departments such as Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology and Sociology.

Key Initiatives

Socio-Economic Dialogue

Students, faculty and business people interact with researchers and scholars on socio-economic challenges and their solutions, particularly in the areas of clean-energy transition, climate-change adaptation, captive insurance and tourism impacts – all critical to the future of Japan. Features an annual economics workshop on a theme of common interest to Japan and the U.S.

Student Exchange

University students attend virtual and/or in-person classes at UH Mānoa to promote people-to-people relations and intercultural understanding, and participate in bilateral collaborations with leading Japan universities. Features dual certificates and degree programs, with opportunities for scholarships, student and faculty exchanges, study abroad and staffing support to facilitate learning and training.

Sustainable Tourism Enhancement

Multifaceted sustainable tourism-based training for Japan employees, mid-level managers or top leadership offered via 24/7 online education or on the UH Mānoa campus. Topics range from development of human resources, to assessing and managing beach overcrowding. Features a biennial global symposium on tourism enhancement, in conjunction with a sustainable tourism summer program where students will have a chance to learn from the top experts in the field.

Risk, Resilience and Sustainability

Participants explore the necessity of advance planning to confront natural and man-made hazards threatening life, property and a sense of well-being; and raising sustainability and climate standards in a resource-fragile world. Features a biennial global symposium for stakeholders in Japan and Hawai‘i on risk, resilience and sustainability, in conjunction with a summer program where students will have the opportunity to interact with renowned experts.

Program Highlights

Ongoing commitment and cross-cultural partnership are the foundations of JHSEII’s success. These achievements include:

Advanced Disaster Science Research: CSS has hosted theAPRU Multi-Hazards Conference at UH Mānoa, driving crucial international collaboration and policy advancement in global disaster resilience and risk reduction. The conference featured leading experts from Japan including individuals from Tohoku University, Chiba University of Science, Keio University, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, and Tokio Marine Research Institute.

Expanded Student Exchanges: Since 2021,CSS has welcomed more than 700 students from Japan to participate in programs such as Global Scholars and the 2025 Mānoa Academy Kagoshima academic exchange.

Strengthened Partnerships: Deepened research and educational partnerships with Japanese universities, government agencies and private-sector partners such as First Insurance Company of Hawaiʻi, the Japan Hub for Innovative Global Education (JIGE) with Kansai and Tohoku Universities, and Tokio Marine.

Implemented Special Projects and Engagements: Numerous focused initiatives and events have further cultivated connections, including:

Academic Workshops: Third Hawaiʻi-Hitotsubashi-Keio Workshop on International Economics (March 2022); Fourth Hawaiʻi-Hitotsubashi-Keio Workshop on International Economics (February 2023); Fifth Hawaiʻi-Hitotsubashi-Keio Workshop on International Economics (March 2023); Seventh Hawaiʻi-Hitotsubashi-Keio Workshop on International Economics (2025); “The Transformation of National Security in the Indo-Pacific” (2025)’ 10^th International Conference in Hawaiʻi: Navigating Global Challenges: Perspectives on Policy, Markets and Society (2025); “AI, Robots, Cybernetic Avatars and the Economy” (2025).
Conferences and Forums: Hawaiʻi Asia Pacific Institute – North East Asia HAPI-NEAEF Conference by Hawai‘i Asia Pacific Institute and North East Asia Economic Forum; 32nd Annual Conference of the Northeast Asia Economic Forum; 16th Emerging Leaders Fellowship Program; APRU 2023 Multi-Hazards Workshop titled “Localizing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Strategies in Asia and the Pacific”; “Regenerative Tourism: Innovations and Pathways for Sustainable Future” (2023).
Online Course Collaborations with Japan Universities: Geography and Contemporary Society (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); Introduction to Ethnic Studies (2022, 2023, 2024); Cultural Aspects and Issues on Sustainable Development Goals in Hawaiʻi and Beyond (2022); Culture, Sustainability and Peace in Hawaiʻi and the Asia Pacific (2022, 2023).
Short-Term Academic Programs with partner institutions in Japan: TOMODACHI Boeing Keio SFC Entrepreneurship Seminar – UH Visit (2022); English immersion program with the University of Tokyo (2023); TOMODACHI Boeing Keio SFC Entrepreneurship Seminar – UH Visit (2023); “Field Study: Environmental Policy Issues in Hawaiʻi” with Meiji Gakuin University (2023); “Field Study: Economy and Environment in Hawaiʻi” with Toyo University (2023); Short-term program with Meikai University (2023); “Sustainable Development Goals and Hawaiʻi” with Soka University (2024); “Hawaiian history and culture” with Tohoku University (2024); “Area Studies: Hawaiian history, culture, and sustainability issues” with Konan University (2024); “Law and Society Tour” with Aichi University, Meiji University, and the University of the Ryukyus (2024); high school students’ visit to UH Mānoa (Omiya International Secondary School, Nanao High School, Josho High School, Hyogo Prefectural International High School, Takasaki High School (June – December 2025); joint program on regenerative leadership and resilient society with Kansai University, Kobe University, Tohoku University, and Waseda University (2025)
Presentations: Japan Association for Language Teaching Annual Conference, “Turning Adversity Into Opportunity: Virtual International Exchange” (2021); NAFSA Annual Conference in June 2022, Hawaiʻi’s sustainable coastal tourism issues, Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Japan; online course collaborations and their impacts on students’ attitudes toward intercultural communications (2022); NAFSA Annual Conference in May 2025, “Promoting Global Learning: A Collaborative Virtual Student Mobility Program”; American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) Annual Conference 2026, “Global Engagement and Virtual Exchange through an Oceanic Lens” (2026).

To Make a Gift

Japanese Corporations and Citizens

The Japan-Hawai‘i Socio-Economic Innovation Initiative is recognized as an “International Contribution Project” by the Council for Better Corporate Citizenship (CBCC), an affiliated organization of Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). Corporations and individuals in Japan may make tax-deductible financial contributions via CBCC. For questions or to submit donation forms, please contact:

Kazuo Yoshida
Executive Director, CBCC
cbcc@keidanren.or.jp

Donation Application Guidelines (CBCC)