From February 8 to February 13, 2025, Mr. Jin Yiping and Mr. Jiang Yizheng of Chu Kochen Honors College, Zhejiang University, led 16 undergraduates to carry out a 6 days study tour in Japan's largest innovation center, STATION Ai, as well as Nagoya University and The University of Tokyo. With the theme of innovation and entrepreneurship, this study tour aims to help students gain a deeper insight into the policy support in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship, the current situation of college education models, and technological innovation development in Japan.

STATION Ai: Feel the in-deepth integration of manufacturing and innovation

On the morning of February 10th, students arrived at STATION Ai in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. Section Chief Lin of the Aichi Prefecture Government welcomed the group and first introduced the basic situation of Aichi Prefecture, mainly focusing on the crucial industries. As an important industrial town in Japan who owns Japanese manufacturing giants such as Toyota and Denso, Aichi Prefecture hopes to integrate traditional manufacturing with advanced technology and
trigger a new wave of innovation.

Professor Jin Yiping expressed gratitude to the Aichi Prefecture Government and STATION Ai. Huang Enhao, the student representative of Chu Kochen Honors College, delivered a speech to introduce Zhejiang University's innovation and entrepreneurship system. He specifically highlighted the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Management Intensive Program (ITP) at the CKC Honors College.

Subsequently, Mr. Hayakawa of STATION Ai gave a specific introduction to the environment that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the operation model of STATION Ai in Aichi Prefecture. Aichi Prefecture, known for its automobile industry, is an important manufacturing base with an economic scale that ranks among the top in Japan. It plans to establish an entrepreneurial ecosystem closely related to the manufacturing industry through STATION Ai.

In the question-and-answer session, the students asked questions about STATION Ai's entrepreneurial supporting methods, the overview of manufacturing start-ups, the proportion of AI enterprise and so on, gaining a deeper understanding of STATION Ai. Then, under the leadership of Mr. Hayakawa, the visiting group toured STATION Ai thoroughly.

Nagoya University: Exploring the Innovative Education of the Combination of Industry, Research and University.

On the afternoon of the tenth, students engaged in an exchange session at Nagoya University. The event began with a warm welcome from the teachers of Nagoya University's International Affairs Office, who shared their delight at the visit of our group. They also provided an overview of Nagoya University and expressed the hope that Nagoya University and Zhejiang University would further strengthen the connection in the innovation and entrepreneurship education, student communication and research cooperation.

Subsequently, Professor Tanaka from Nagoya University's Industry-Research-University Collaboration Department introduced the university's innovation and entrepreneurship education and research. Meanwhile, He highlighted the project, Tongali, in which Nagoya University united more than 20 universities in center region. The project aims at promoting innovation and entrepreneurship education and sharing resources, providing entrepreneurial incubation spaces, financial support and mentor guidance, focusing on fields in self-driving technology, new energy vehicles and elder caring technology, encouraging students to engage in entrepreneurship projects to foster their innovation and entrepreneurship spirit.

Kyoto University: Academic Excellence Sparks Innovation

On the 12th, students visited Kyoto University, a world-renowned institution with over a century of history celebrated for its culture of academic freedom and groundbreaking research achievements. Guided through the historic campus steeped in scholarly tradition, they immersed themselves in the university’s profound legacy and unique cultural allure.

During this Japan study tour, CKC's students had a deep insight into the frontier research and successful experience of Japan in innovation and entrepreneurship education. Equipped with brand-new innovative thinking and passion for practice, the students are poised to forge ahead on their journey to become a positive force in driving China's sustainable development.