University of Toyama Students Participate in the “Kibo Climate Lab” to Explore the Future of Climate Change
A joint program co-hosted by University of Toyama, Shibaura Institute of Technology, and the Embassy of Belgium

On June 29 and 30, 2026, six students from our university ‘s School of Sustainable Design, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, and Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Sustainability Studies took part in the “Kibo Climate Lab”. This English-language program was held at the Shibaura Institute of Technology’s Omiya Campus.

The program featured “En-roads,” an interactive climate change predictions simulator used to forecast the socioeconomic impacts of global warming across various regions. Participants engaged in dynamic, cross-sector role-playing discussions to explore a wide range of diverse perspectives. The event was expertly facilitated by Mr. Alexandre Mabille, who visited Japan with the support of Wallonie-Bruxells International program and the Province of Hainaut in western Belgium.

Reflecting on the experience, participants shared insightful feedback. One student noted “I learned about perspectives completely different from my own, “ while another highlighted the collaborative challenges, stating, “I experienced firsthand the difficulty of reaching consensus while respecting each other’s opinions.”

This year proudly marks the 160th anniversary of Japan-Belgium friendship. With the support of the Belgian Embassy in Japan, the program concluded with a special wrap-up session at the embassy on July 1. This successful collaboration has raised great expectations for the continued development of future international exchange programs.