Project Report: My Experience in the Kakehashi Project Young Leader Program 2025
In late October, I was excited to receive the news that I had been selected as one of the five young Canadian participants in the 2025–2026 Kakehashi Project Young Leader program. Having long studied North Asia, particularly Japanese history and contemporary Japanese politics, and Canada’s role in the Indo-Pacific, the opportunity to transition from theory to the physical reality of Japan was an honor. As I prepared to depart, I was eager to help serve as a “kakehashi”—a bridge—strengthening the enduring ties between our two nations.
Our trip began in the megacity of Tokyo. For all five of us, this was an experience of a lifetime as we explored one of the largest cities in the world. At the Embassy of Canada, we engaged in discussions regarding strengthening Japan-Canada relations, particularly in the areas of education and trade. For all of us, our meeting with Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs ONISHI Yohei was a highlight as we discussed the importance of the strategic partnership between our nations during these challenging global times. The Minister reinforced the necessity of a rules-based international order and the opportunities that both Canada and Japan have for further partnership, strengthened by our dual commitment to these core values. These conversations were fascinating as they helped bridge my academic experience with the real world diplomatic space where we were able to strengthen the person-to-person connections between Japan and Canada that help serve as the bedrock of the Kakehashi Project.
In Tokyo, our visits to Keidanren and DMZ Japan showcased a hyper-modern society fueled by venture capital and technological ambition. The diversity of the Japanese landscape was strikingly revealed as we moved from the neon-lit streets of Akihabara to the snowy plains of Hokkaidō. At Upopoy, the National Ainu Museum and Park, we experienced the Ainu culture through hearing the stories of the Ainu people. This experience offered a somber and necessary reflection on the parallels with Indigenous histories in Canada, reminding us that Japan has complex layers and shared human challenges.
At Rakuno Gakuen University in the rural countryside of Hokkaido, we saw startups like Interregion Co. Ltd, which is led by a professor and a small group of students. This startup utilizes GIS to enhance agricultural productivity—demonstrating a Japan that is both deeply rooted in its land and looking toward the future. It also gave us an insight into the growing presence of international students in Japan and their contributions to Japanese academia. We learned about the Hokkaido Prefectural Government's vision for Hokkaido, as they laid out a future of semi-conductors and green energy while also seeking to enhance the traditional agricultural industries with new technology. Whether discussing the Rapidus semiconductor initiative or participating in a traditional tea ceremony in Asakusa, we saw a nation that balances high-tech aspirations with a fierce pride in its cultural heritage.
The Kakehashi Project provided a lens into the realities of a vital strategic partner. I return to Canada with a renewed commitment to fostering Japan-Canada relations through my studies, continued engagement with the Centre for the Study of Global Japan. I am deeply grateful to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, and Japan International Cooperation Center for this life-changing experience. I hope that our cohort has successfully added another span to the bridge between our peoples, and I look forward to contributing to this vital partnership throughout my career.
