The declining population due to low birth rates and an aging society (population outflow), the decrease in tourists, the problem of school refusal, and the reduction of local specialties... These regional issues are common concerns across Japan, and Okayama is certainly no exception.
In Kurashiki City, there is a project called Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project, which supports activities where high school and university students collaborate with local businesses to tackle issues in the Takahashi River basin.
What discoveries have been made from the projects that have been worked on over the past six months?
A presentation event showcasing the results of the project was held, and I covered the event.
About the Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project "Project Results Presentation"
Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project is a project by the Kurashiki City Labor and Employment Policy Division aimed at developing the next generation of human resources who will support the future of the region and promoting local employment.
The project mainly supports PBL (Project-Based Learning) initiatives where high schools in the Takahashi River basin area, consisting of 7 cities and 3 towns, and universities in Okayama Prefecture collaborate with local businesses and industrial organizations to tackle regional issues. Furthermore, it provides opportunities for high school and university students to think about career development through interactions with local businesses, aiding in their career formation.
In the 2025 fiscal year, a record 17 schools participated in the project. Please check the images below for the projects undertaken by each school.
On January 24, 2026 (Saturday), the Project Results Presentation was held, where high school and university students presented the projects they had been working on for about six months.
The issues and attractions discovered by high school and university students in each region, and how they can be utilized to contribute to regional revitalization and social contribution, are the highlights.
Viewing the Second Part of the Project Results Presentation
I attended the second part of the presentation. Here is an overview of the event.
Okayama Prefectural Tamashima Commercial High School "Project to Expand Consumption of Okayama's Local Fish, Black Sea Bream, through Industry-Academia Collaboration"
The first presentation in the second part was by the research team from Okayama Prefectural Tamashima Commercial High School (hereinafter referred to as "Tamashima Commercial").
They focused on the theme of expanding the consumption of black sea bream, a local fish of Okayama, and worked on a product development project in collaboration with Okayama Prefectural Government and local businesses.
Black sea bream is a fish for which Okayama boasts the fourth highest catch in Japan. However, the fishing industry faces ongoing challenges such as damage from oysters and seaweed and a decline in market value.
With the cooperation of Okayama Prefectural Government, Tamashima Commercial developed a menu using black sea bream and offered it in the cafeteria of the Okayama Prefectural Government, but this was a short-term initiative.
However, their real challenge began here. From the idea that "making delicious food is good!", they began to seriously consider "who to sell to" and "what the cost would be", and took action to make the project successful.
As the project progressed with high school students at the center, Okayama Prefectural Government provided information and advice regarding black sea bream to the students, while businesses were responsible for the development, manufacturing, and sales of processed products.
Finally, the product that was realized was a seasoned rice mix that allows you to enjoy black sea bream. It is said to be sold on e-commerce sites and in Okayama Prefecture's antenna shops.
For businesses, profit is also an important factor.
Therefore, there were times when strict conditions were presented by various companies, but they reflected, "We directly visited and conveyed our thoughts face to face. I believe the analog power of the students' enthusiasm moved the project forward."
It was a remarkable presentation where the enthusiasm of the high school students was palpable. I definitely want to try the "seasoned rice mix with black sea bream" if I find it.
Kurashiki Suisho High School "Gather! Tamashima!"
The next presentation was by a mixed team from Kurashiki Suisho High School and Tamashima Commercial High School.
The two schools tackled a regional revitalization project utilizing the traditional culture of Tamashima.
Upon investigating the current issues in Tamashima, about 20% of the high school students from both schools responded that they "perceive Tamashima as a rural area", and about 85% of them answered that "there are no tourist attractions in Tamashima".
Here, the high school students focused on "rural power". With the mission of "redefining the rural power of Tamashima and contributing to regional revitalization", they deepened their analysis of the current situation.
They discovered that there are many long-established companies in Tamashima that have been around for over 100 years. Furthermore, they noted the strong connection between the mindset valued in entrepreneurship and traditional cultures such as Zen meditation and tea ceremony.
Thus, they created a business study tour targeting aspiring entrepreneurs. The tour includes company visits and fieldwork, as well as experiences of Zen meditation and tea ceremony, incorporating the unique aspects of Tamashima.
Lunch and souvenirs are included, and the participation fee is 3,000 yen. It seems they are utilizing subsidies from the Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project.
As a future challenge, they mentioned, "We aim to achieve profitability without relying on subsidies and hold continuous tours," but I believe that seeing the serious efforts of high school students in regional revitalization will attract many adults willing to cooperate.
Kurashiki Sakuyo University "Peppermint Promotion Activities"
The third presentation was by the Faculty of Food Culture at Kurashiki Sakuyo University, focusing on peppermint promotion activities.
With the cooperation of the limited liability company Kibi no Kuni Future Plan, they challenged product and recipe development using a variety of peppermint called Shubi (しゅうび), a specialty of Kurashiki.
Shubi has a refreshing peppermint-like flavor, yet it also has a sweet aroma that wafts gently.
Utilizing this Shubi, they challenged themselves to develop sweets such as cookies, chiffon cakes, and ice cream. They reflected that the most challenging aspect of manufacturing was balancing the peppermint essence with palatability.
Some of the sweets created were tasted by residents of a dementia group home, and a survey was conducted regarding the taste of mint and its ease of consumption. It seems that the stimulation of aroma may also contribute to dementia prevention care, and they said, "We want to explore approaches tailored to the people who eat it."
Additionally, delicious recipes have been announced one after another, making me hungry for the content typical of the Faculty of Food Culture.
Mint is something that is not often consumed, but the recipes developed by the university students were all things that seemed to be eaten regularly. I hope that through this activity, mint will become a more familiar presence.
Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School "Kurashiki Dissemination Project"
Next is the presentation by the commercial department of Okayama Prefectural Kurashiki Washu Senior High School.
The commercial department focuses on SDG 11, "Sustainable Cities and Communities," and has inherited a unique initiative called "Kurashiki Walk" from their seniors. In fact, in 2025, they have a record of guiding 314 high school students from outside the prefecture.
While guiding through the Bikan Historical Area, they discovered the abundance of vacant houses as an issue. After considering "Is there something we can do?", they decided to challenge themselves to create a business plan.
They collaborated with Gyouun Co., Ltd., which operates in the Bikan Historical Area.
It was conveyed that they had deep interactions with the company through lectures on work styles and values of living, internships at restaurants and sweet shops, and study sessions on business plans.
Finally, 36 students worked on creating a "business plan that contributes to regional revitalization in the area around the Bikan Historical Area," resulting in various ideas such as operating a hotel and restaurant utilizing a traditional house and holding workshops.
In particular, the representative director of Gyouun Co., Ltd. highly praised the plan to make handmade lanterns and conduct a night walk.
The students of the commercial department reflected, "What is important in planning is to know people and the world." I thought it was a valuable experience to think about the town we usually live in without much thought.
Okayama Prefectural Takahashi High School "Takahashi High School Social Issues Research Club Created Aroma Candles to Promote Takahashi City!"
Next is the presentation by the Social Issues Research Club of Okayama Prefectural Takahashi High School.
To invigorate Takahashi City, which is struggling with population decline, they engaged in crafting using the local specialty bengara and worked on promoting the charm of Takahashi City.
The Social Issues Research Club's crafting involved candles colored with bengara. They received training at candle shops and companies that perform bengara dyeing, creating prototypes multiple times.
They also created cushions using leftover fabric provided by Nihon Boeki Sangyo Co., Ltd.'s "Hina Doll Kihou." They are cute candles and cushions that are enjoyable to look at.
During the prototype stage, there were challenges such as bengara settling and the flame becoming small, but after making improvements, they finally completed satisfactory candles.
In the future, they plan to participate in local events and distribute aroma candles, actively working to convey the goodness of Takahashi City.
There was also a report about the exchange with members of the "Miryoku Yubin Kyoku" club from Hiroshima Prefectural Osaki Kaisei High School. It seems to have become an opportunity to reconsider, "We also want to value our connection with the community."
The presentation was very detailed and easy to understand, addressing questions such as "What kind of city is Takahashi City?", "What is famous?", and "What is bengara?". I have only been to Takahashi City once, but after listening to the explanation, I felt like I wanted to visit again.
International Pacific University "Connecting Dreams through School Refusal Support Project"
The final presentation is about the school refusal support problem-solving project by International Pacific University.
International Pacific University has a student organization called Our Universe, mainly composed of soccer club members and students aiming to become teachers, which is engaged in school refusal support and regional revitalization.
Our Universe collaborated with HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES INC., which manufactures synthetic resin products such as blue sheets, to challenge the production of original bags designed with children's dreams and thoughts.
They collected works from children attending free schools and utilized HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES' printing sheet manufacturing technology, with university students sewing the bags together using sewing machines.
"This is a handmade product filled with the children's thoughts, HAGIHARA INDUSTRIES' technology, and the youth of university students," they said as they distributed the original bags. The fabric is sturdy, and the sewing is durable, with very beautiful colors.
In commercializing the original bag, it seems they struggled greatly to gather works and submissions, but they continued to act persistently without giving up on communication and visits, expanding their network.
Through this project, the university students say, "the technology of companies has great potential to connect people and society".
I hope they will continue to collaborate with companies and engage in activities that connect children and society.
Exchange Meeting
After the presentations, high school and university students gathered for the second part, where an exchange meeting was held in a separate room.
Students from different schools discussed their projects with each other, and time flowed in a very friendly atmosphere. It was an exchange meeting filled with smiles, as if new friends who could think about the future of the region had increased.
In the room, there were sticky notes displaying the viewers' impressions and questions, divided among the schools, and after the exchange meeting, the students carefully read the feedback they received before heading home.
The sticky notes were filled with words of encouragement.
What kind of future will the boundless power of high school and university students, along with the insights and experiences gained from the Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project, lead to? I want to continue supporting your activities from now on.
Conclusion
Reflecting on my own high school days, I realized that I didn't even know the term SWOT analysis (a framework for understanding the current situation of a company or project and making strategic decisions), nor did I have the opportunity to practice it. Perhaps because of that, I was surprised by the high level of the students.
The ideas born from hands-on field research, multifaceted analysis, and free thinking will surely become skills that will be useful even after becoming a working adult.
No team has succeeded in a project without hitting a wall at least once. I have come to realize that the process of facing challenges repeatedly and seeking solutions is crucial for project success.
This coverage made me think not only as a high school and university student but also as an individual about the issues facing the community.
Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project Results Presentation Data
| Name | Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project Results Presentation |
|---|---|
| Date | January 24, 2026 (Saturday) From 10:00 AM to around 5:00 PM |
| Location | 2-6-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Takahashi River Basin Future Human Resource Development Project Website |
