13:40-13:45

Opening Event

Welcome Remarks by a Sponsor

<Speaker> 

13:45-
13:55

Opening Remarks

＜Speaker＞

Shingo ASHIZAWA
Chair of the SIIEJ Steering Committee (President, Kanda University of International Studies)

Kazuko SUEMATSU, President of the Japan Association for International Student Education (JAISE) (Professor, Tohoku University)

Yoshiyuki SUTO, Japan Forum for Internationalization of Universities (Vice President, Nagoya University)

Yoshikazu UEOKU, President of the Japan Association of Overseas Studies (JAOS)

Yuko TAKAHASHI, President of JAFSA – Japan Network for International Education (President, Tsuda University) ※ Appearing via video

13:55-14:15

Remarks by the Host Institution for SIIEJ 2026

「International Education at J. F. Oberlin University: Philosophy, Practice, and Prospects」

＜Speaker＞ Hiroaki HATAYAMA

President, J. F. Oberlin University
Biography:
MBA. Ph.D. 桜美林大学教授. 専門は文学（レトリック）、経営学. 国際センター長、基盤教育院長、学長補佐、副学長等を歴任し、2018年度より大学長. 文部科学省大学設置・学校法人審議会大学設置分科会特別委員、大学基準協会理事、日本高等教育評価機構評議員、神奈川県私立大学連絡協議会副会長、大学セミナーハウス理事、日本私立大学協会国際交流委員、他. 国連アカデミックインパクト、世界大学総長会議等委員を歴任.

14:15-
14:20

Remarks by the Host Institution for SIIEJ 2027

<Speaker> Motoyasu SANO
Chairman, Sano Educational Foundation (Kanda University of International Studies)

14:20-
15:00

Special Session by MEXT

「The Internationalization of Japanese Higher Education: Current Trends and What Lies Ahead」

＜Speaker＞ Kuniaki SATO

Director, International Affairs Division, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan
Biography:
Mr. SATO Kuniaki, Director, International Affairs Division, Higher Education Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan, has over 25 years of experiences in higher education policy development and university management. Sato was engaged in the establishment and management of a public university, Akita International University before transferring to MEXT. He has led the development of a variety of internationalization initiatives of Japan, such as the Top Global University project, the Inter-University Exchange Project and formulation of Joint Degree Guideline and UNESCO Tokyo Convention. Before taking the current office, Sato served as Vice President of Tohoku University for reform and planning at Tohoku University, following Director for Office for International Planning and Inspector and Director for University at Reform at MEXT, Special Advisor to the President for international strategy at Kyoto University.
He has also acted as Chair of the Group of National Experts on Higher Education, OECD since January 2023. M.A. in Education, the University of Tokyo.

15:00-
15:05

Welcome Remarks by a Sponsor

＜Speaker＞ Akira SATO

Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd.

Executive Officer/General Manager, Global Communication Division & Head of Cross-Sector Collaboration

15:05-
15:45

Special SessionⅠ

「The Direction of Japan’s International Student Policy」

＜Speaker＞ Fumio MASUTANI

朝日新聞社　記者
Biography:
1971年生まれ。栃木県出身。大阪市立大（現大阪公立大）卒業後、94年に朝日新聞社入社。2005年から断続的に12年にわたり東京で大学を中心とする教育取材を担当。教育担当の論説委員や大学担当の編集委員を経て26年4月から教育シニアエディター。共著に｢限界の国立大学―法人化20年、何が最高学府を劣化させるのか｣｢崖っぷちの私立大学―偏差値で測れない価値をどう見抜くか｣。

15:45-
16:00

Break

16:00-
17:20

Special SessionⅡ / Panel Discussion with Political Leaders

＜Panelists＞ Listed in Japanese alphabetical order

・Hotaru UENO
　Member of the House of Councillors (Japan Innovation Party)
Biography:
Born in Toyama Prefecture in 1984. After graduating from Toyama High School, she worked in administrative roles in the long-term care sector. Prompted by a scandal involving the misuse of political activity funds by members of the Toyama City Council, she was first elected in the 2016 Toyama City Council by-election and served three terms. After running in the 2022 House of Councillors election, she was declared elected in September 2025 to fill a proportional-representation vacancy, as the next eligible candidate from that election. She focuses on child-rearing, education, welfare policies, and work-style reform. She currently serves as a member of the House of Councillors Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry; a member of the Special Committee on the Formation of a Digital Society and the Utilization of Artificial Intelligence; and Deputy Representative of the Toyama Ishin no Kai.

・Arfiya ERI
Member of the House of Representatives (Liberal Democratic Party)
Biography:
She graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with a B.Sc. in International Politics and later earned an M.A. in Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies. She joined the Bank of Japan in 2012 before moving to the United Nations Secretariat in New York in 2016. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in the 2023 by-election for the Chiba 5th Electoral District. She was appointed Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Second Ishiba Cabinet in 2024, re-appointed in the Takaichi Cabinet in 2025, and re-appointed again in 2026.

・Yoshihiro OKUMURA
Member of the House of Councillors (Democratic Party for the People)
Biography:
Born February 9, 1994, in Kyoto. B.A. in English Language and Literature from Waseda University. Joined KDDI in 2016, working in Customer Service and later DX Strategy, before leaving in 2021. Moved to Spain to earn an MBA at IE Business School (2021–2023). After returning to Japan, led business development at an AI startup. Elected to the House of Councillors (Tokyo) in July 2025. Focuses on technology, economic, and education policy. Enjoys sento (traditional Japanese public bathhouses), rakugo (traditional Japanese comic storytelling), and reading.

・Michio KAWAI
Member of the House of Representatives (Team Mirai)
Biography:
Michio Kawai (b. 1990, Tokyo) is a member of Japan's House of Representatives and Head of Public Relations for Team Mirai, serving on the House Committee on Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry. He holds a B.A. from the University of Tokyo and an M.A. from the Graduate School of Education at Kyoto University, and joined the third cohort of the Tobitate! Study Abroad Japan program. After working in the education sector, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2026. His work focuses on ensuring that every learner can pursue an education suited to them, and on strengthening higher education and Japan's research environment.

・Kaname TAJIMA
Member of the House of Representatives (Centrist Reform Alliance)
Biography:
●Education:Faculty of Law, University of Tokyo, Japan.    
MBA, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
●Career:International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
NTT Communications Corporation
9th Member of the House of Representatives
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry
Director-General, Local Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters
Director, HR Standing Committee on Economy, Trade and Industry
Chair, HR Special Committee on Promotion of Science and Technology, and Innovation
Director, HR Standing Committee on Internal Affairs and Communications
Chairperson, Committee on Business and Organizations Liaison, Centrist Reform Alliance