Visit to Sado Island
From 14 to 16 May 2026, faculty and staff involved with SAFICs visited Sado Island, Niigata Prefecture, the location for the short-term program “SADO Project” held during the 2026 summer vacation. This program allows students from Africa and our university to conduct research on Sado Island through fieldwork and interviews, exploring various perspectives such as environmental studies, agricultural development, ecosystem conservation, traditional arts, ecotourism, and Japanese studies. The participating students aim to collaboratively consider pathways towards a sustainable future while considering the conditions in Japan and the African region, and to gain integrated knowledge in environmental conservation.
During this visit, we inspected Kamo Lake where water quality surveys will be conducted, and visited planned sites including Sado Gold Mine, Senkaku Bay, and Toki no Mori Park to verify the feasibility and safety of the program. Additionally, accommodation facilities and the surrounding environment were reviewed. Also we met with Ryugo Watanabe, the Mayor of Sado City, to brief him on this project. The mayor spoke about the attractions of Sado and expressed a positive willingness to engage with students from Africa. Furthermore, we visited Niigata Prefectural Sado General High School to discuss a hands-on lesson on sustainable agriculture with high school students.
Although the visit was short stay, the interactions with the warm residents of Sado Island made it highly meaningful. With its breathtaking natural scenery and rural landscapes, as well as its fresh local cuisine, Sado Island promises an enriching and valuable learning experience. The program will continue to be planned and prepared to ensure it offers the most rewarding learning opportunities.
