International Students Explore Local Innovation at Hokuriku Techno Fair and Engage with Fukui Companies

Fukui, Japan – Twenty-two international students (including Japanese tutors) from three universities in Fukui Prefecture – the University of Fukui, Fukui Prefectural University, and Fukui University of Technology – participated in a visit to the “Hokuriku Technology Exchange Techno Fair 2025” on October 24, Reiwa 7 (2025). The event served as a comprehensive exhibition, gathering companies from Fukui and across the Hokuriku region that possess advanced technological capabilities.

Discovering Cutting-Edge Technology

The Techno Fair featured over 200 booths from various companies, universities, and research institutions, all working across different industries, fields, and regions. The main goal of the fair was to promote industry-academia-government cooperation, foster technological innovation, and create new businesses to address social issues and achieve a sustainable society.

The students were given the freedom to explore booths related to their fields of specialization, interests, and cutting-edge technological innovations. They enthusiastically listened to explanations from company representatives, and many enjoyed hands-on experiences with equipment and demonstrations.

Direct Exchange with Local Businesses

Following the exhibition, the students moved from the Fukui Industry Hall to the Fukui Prefecture Small and Medium Enterprise Industrial College to participate in an exchange session with eight local Fukui companies.

Divided into groups of 2-3, the students rotated among the company tables every 10 minutes. They received explanations about each company’s philosophy, business operations, and unique technologies or products, both in Japanese and English. The students were deeply engaged, actively asking questions of the employees, often losing track of time.

A Positive Step Towards Local Employment

The participation in the Techno Fair and the exchange session proved to be a valuable opportunity for the international students, fostering positive thoughts about future employment in Fukui and Japan.

Students shared positive feedback, including:

“I would definitely like to participate in more company exchange events like this in the future.”

“There were so many companies I didn’t know about. Being able to touch the products and have various experiences at the booths was really great.”

“I was able to talk directly with people from companies outside my specialization, even discussing things about daily life.”

“I learned about the companies’ performance, job opportunities, and the experiences of foreigners already working there.”