From April 1 to September 30, GRIPS conducted Taiwan Young Leaders Program 2019.

The purpose of this program is to develop human resources who can become leaders in various fields such as politics, public administration, and academia in Taiwan. In addition to conducting intensive research on specific themes, the participants attended lectures at GRIPS and participated in summer programs etc.

We had this program second time this year and welcomed 3 Taiwanese trainees who have been selected from a large number of applicants.

For the research activities, each participant wrote a research paper on specific topic  such as“Disaster prevention”,“Control of technology transfer” and “Innovation system focused on R&D institution”. Along with their research topics, participants conducted interviews with experts and practitioners of the field to study Japanese experiences and challenges. Their research activities were mainly supported by the program director, Professor Kiyotaka Yokomichi (Vice President), Professor Fumio Takeda and Professor Hisanori Nei.

Trainees also went on a field trip to Fukushima to meet a vice-governor and officials of Fukushima Prefecture. Through their lectures on the disaster status after the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011 and visits to related facilities, they learned about the situation at the time of disaster and the steps for revitalization. They also visited Ouchi-juku and Tsuruga Castle in Aizu Wakamatsu city. They felt like traveling into the Edo period and learned its rich history and traditional culture.

On the last day of the program, trainees presented their final research paper. After receiving feedback and advice from participants, each trainees received a certificate of completion of the program.