On February 5, 2026, I had the honor of delivering a lecture as part of the NipCA Project field trip organized by the University of Tsukuba to the Yaeyama Islands. The program, held annually, welcomes exchange students from Central Asian countries and focuses on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustainability.
The sessions took place at the Ministry of the Environment’s International Coral Reef Research and Monitoring Center. During a presentation by one of the Center’s rangers on the region’s coral reefs, I provided translation support. I then gave my own lecture on the attractiveness of Yaeyama from the perspective of a foreign resident, with a particular focus on the local dialect, Sumamuni.
The students participated actively and asked many thoughtful questions during both sessions. I hope these lectures contributed meaningfully to their understanding of sustainability and local culture during their visit to Yaeyama.
