SUIJI-SLP 2025 Japan Site

Abstract

The SUIJI–Service Learning Program (SLP) 2025 Japan Site was conducted as a cross-country collaborative learning initiative between Indonesia and Japan through a community-based service learning approach. The program aimed to enhance students’ capacity in understanding the social, cultural, and environmental dynamics of rural Japan while developing collaborative problem-solving skills grounded in community needs. The methods used included community engagement, field observation, cultural immersion, and cooperation with local governments and community organizations. Throughout the program, participants were involved in projects focusing on village sustainability, environmental management, community revitalization, and strengthening the social resilience of the Akehama–Uwajima community. The results indicate that direct student involvement significantly enhanced understanding of rural depopulation issues, local resource management, and the cultural mechanisms that sustain community cohesion in Japan. Moreover, the program strengthened students’ intercultural communication, empathy, and teamwork skills in an international context. In conclusion, SUIJI–SLP 2025 contributed meaningfully to strengthening Indonesia–Japan relations, developing students’ capacities, and supporting rural sustainability efforts through collaborative and transformative learning.