Members of young municipal councilors visit TUJ on Jan. 28, 2026.
Amid the run-up to Japan’s upcoming general elections, a group of young municipal councilors from across the country visited the Japan campus of Temple University (TUJ), to get a firsthand look at global higher education. The visit underscored their interest in and sense of urgency about, understanding international education, even as national politics remain focused on the election campaign.
Risa Kamio, a Setagaya City council member who regularly engages with TUJ students, faculty and staff through various activities, reached out to the university to collaborate on an engagement program for members of the National Young Councilors Association’s international division.
TUJ welcomed on January 28, 2026, about 20 councilors, including participants from neighboring prefectures as well as more distant areas such as Yamanashi and Nagasaki prefectures with which TUJ already has a collaborative agreement.
Getting a Taste of World-Class Education
Chie Kato, senior associate dean, opened the program with an introductory address, outlining the university’s history, recent rapid development and the wide range of academic programs offered at TUJ.
A group of Temple students then took the stage to speak on a variety of topics, including campus life, potential career pathways and their own future aspirations.
The discussion expanded to broader issues, including challenges facing Japan’s education system and moved into timely political topics as the country had entered the election race just days earlier. Some students even proposed policy ideas, drawing frequent nods of agreement from the local councilors in attendance.
The councilors later broke into small groups for guided campus tours led by TUJ staff and students. The visitors had the opportunity to experience the campus firsthand, with several noting they were impressed by TUJ’s diverse and international atmosphere.
Bridging Local and National Politics
The National Young Councilors Association aims to foster cooperation among organizations of young municipal assembly members who participate in local governance with high ideals and strong aspirations. The group, which is composed of legislators under 40 years old from across Japan, spanning from Hokkaido to Kyushu, seeks to examine the relationship between national and local politics, encourage mutual growth through youth and passion, and contribute to the advancement of democracy and local self-government.
To achieve these goals, the association respects the autonomy of local organizations while coordinating nationwide activities that allow members to collaborate freely across regions.
Temple’s Ties With Local Governments
As TUJ’s enrollment continues to grow, recognition of the university has expanded nationwide in recent years. In February 2025, Temple entered into a partnership with Kyoto Prefecture, marking its fourth agreement with a prefectural government, joining earlier partnerships with Ehime and Nagasaki in March 2024 and Yamanashi in December 2022.
At the city level, the Kyoto City agreement represents TUJ’s third municipal accord, following agreements with Tokyo’s Setagaya City in December 2022 and Minato City in May 2006.
TUJ also has strengthened its presence in the Kansai region. In November 2024, the university signed collaborative agreements with the Osaka Board of Education and Ryukoku University, located near TUJ Kyoto. The partnership with Ryukoku focuses on joint student activities, club events, educational and cultural programs, shared courses, and collaborative academic research and conferences.
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