#Japan #Tokyo #Taisho University #Remote Islands #Ilander Summit

Ilander High School Summit 2026: A Step Towards Island Connections

Scheduled for January 24, 2027, the fifth iteration of the Ilander High School Summit will be organized online, aiming to build connections among high school students from various remote islands across Japan. This significant event is co-hosted by Taisho University in Tokyo and the Japan Remote Islands Center, led by Koji Araki, the mayor of Yakushima Town. As part of the preparations, a call for participants from remote islands was opened on July 30.

This summit first launched in 2022 as a pilot project has seen active engagement, with over 170 students participating in previous editions. The overarching goal of the Ilander High School Summit is to create lasting bonds among students from islands that rarely have the opportunity to connect. This program encourages students not only to view the future of their islands as a personal responsibility but also to develop into leaders who are eager to take part in island development initiatives.

The theme for the Ilander High School Summit 2026 is “Connecting Islands, Expanding Horizons, Shining Future.” This expresses a commitment to valuing connections between islands and individuals. Participants are encouraged to explore diverse perspectives, share insights gained during the summit, and apply this knowledge back in their respective islands to contribute to a vibrant future.

At the summit, students will dive into discussions that explore the unique charms of their islands as well as the resources available in their regions. Participants will collaborate in themed groups, proposing projects while deepening their interactions with peers. The event is organized by a committee comprising 11 high school students from remote islands and five students from Taisho University's Community Development Faculty.

Press Conference Highlights

Prior to the main event, a press conference was held on July 30 at Kyodo News in Tokyo. At this conference, the student committee members shared insights from the 2025 summit along with details about the upcoming 2026 event, appealing specifically to remote island high school students.

Kenma Suzuki, a fourth-year student at Taisho University and the committee chair, expressed his belief that participating in the summit will inspire significant changes in how students perceive their home islands and their future career paths. He mentioned that both high school and university students on the committee stand to experience tremendous growth from their participation. Other committee members echoed his sentiments, expressing their desire to create an environment that nurtures a sense of local pride among participants and paves the way for meaningful connections for all high school attendees.

Professor Shigeru Yamamoto of Taisho University Fairness Support Center highlighted that, despite the small student population in remote schools, there are over 10,000 high school students across Japan's islands. He emphasized the importance of fostering connections among these students, suggesting the summit will encourage and empower them to take initiative and engage more actively in societal opportunities. He strongly encourages as many island high school students as possible to participate in the event.

Committee Members of the Ilander High School Summit 2026

Taisho University Students:

• - Kenma Suzuki (4th year, Community Development Faculty)
• - Atene Kisaka (4th year, Community Development Faculty)
• - Kokono Kamiya (4th year, Community Development Faculty)
• - Saki Tanaka (4th year, Community Development Faculty)
• - Mihiro Kubota (3rd year, Community Development Faculty)

High School Participants:

• - Yuika Koido (3rd year, Okushiri High School, Hokkaido)
• - Kazuki Yoshikawa (2nd year, Rebun High School, Hokkaido)
• - Taichi Orida (3rd year, Ogasawara High School, Tokyo)
• - Yuka So (3rd year, Hiroshima Eichi Gakuen High School, Hiroshima)
• - Moto Tsukada (2nd year, Osaki Kasei High School, Hiroshima)
• - Fuka Tanaka (3rd year, Yuge High School, Ehime)
• - Yusei Heima (3rd year, Tsushima High School, Nagasaki)
• - Koki Yamaguchi (3rd year, Iki High School, Nagasaki)
• - Taisei Kakunaga (2nd year, Kitamatsu West High School, Nagasaki)
• - Hana Naoshima (3rd year, Tokunoshima High School, Kagoshima)
• - Shingo Yamada (2nd year, Kumejima High School, Okinawa)

Event Details

• - Date: January 24, 2027 (Sunday), 10 AM – 4 PM
• - Venue: Online (Zoom)
• - Eligibility: High school students stationed at remote islands (students commuting to mainland high schools or enrolled in correspondence high schools while living on islands are also eligible)
• - Capacity: 100 participants (registration closes once the limit is met)
• - Participation Fee: Free (participants bear the cost of their communication devices and internet charges)
• - Registration: Until January 22, 2027 (23:59)
• - Official Site
• - Registration Form

Join us for the Ilander High School Summit 2026 and be part of building connections between islands for a brighter future!