How do we transition from a “take-make-waste” model to a truly regenerative system?
Students from Shizenkan University’s new course, “Circular Economy: Designing the Future of Business, Economy and Society” recently completed a powerful field trip to the heart of Tokyo and Kawasaki’s industrial zones. Accompanied by faculty members Yu Kato and Akira Sakano, 15 current students and 6 alumni explored the intersection of “arteries” and “veins” in our economy.
- Confronting the Reality of the Linear Economy Our journey began at the Tokyo Landfill Site and the Takeei Tokyo Recycle Center. Seeing the final destination of our mass-consumption society firsthand was a wake-up call. The sheer scale of waste and the complexity of resource recovery moved us from “understanding the problem” to “feeling the urgent need for systemic change.”
- Turning “Waste” into “Value” In the afternoon, we visited the micro-factory of ChopValue Japan, a startup transforming discarded chopsticks into high-quality products. We discussed the realities of “Circular Design” and the practical business challenges of scaling upcycled solutions.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration We concluded the day with a deep-dive discussion involving officials from Kawasaki City, a leader in circular city initiatives. It was a powerful reminder that “partnerships” across the public and private sectors are the ultimate key to accelerating the transition.
What began as theoretical “head knowledge” in the classroom transformed into “embodied wisdom” through our five senses. We are ready to bring these insights back to our respective fields to drive real impact.
Join Our Upcoming Admissions Event! (Jan 26) Want to learn how Shizenkan’s leadership programs can help you redesign the future? Meet our faculty members Yu Kato and Akira Sakano at our next event:
- Date: Monday, January 26, 2026
- Location: Shizenkan University Campus
- Language: Japanese
- Details & Registration: https://shizenkan.ac.jp/event/circular_event2026/
Join us in building the systems of tomorrow!