From May 25 to 31, 2025, the School of Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (SSE) of the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) embarked on a week-long academic and corporate study tour in Tokyo, Japan. Leading the delegation was Dr. Varsolo Sunio, Director of the Industrial Engineering Program, joined by four UA&P students, namely Luke Soriano, Luise Paner, Andrew Choa and Nic Kenneth Padilla, eager to learn and engage with leading minds and organizations in Japan.
The itinerary, inspired by SSE’s vision of integrating engineering and technology with strong business acumen, featured visits to two top universities, a renowned graduate school of leadership, and three leading corporate institutions.
At the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Dr. Takanori Sakai welcomed the group to the Urban Freight Research Lab (UFRL), where a joint seminar tackled the dynamics between urban freight and land use. The delegation also visited the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Engineering, where Dr. Kimihiro Hino hosted a research exchange on mobility, safety, and the built environment using survey data and big data techniques. Dr. Sunio took the opportunity to introduce UA&P and its current research initiatives—from shipment consolidation and transport electrification to public transport governance and financing models.
The team also visited Shizenkan University Graduate School of Leadership and Innovation, where Mr. Junichi Kagaya shared the school’s “whole-person” education philosophy and its collaboration with IESE Business School. A short walking tour of the nearby Nihonbashi area, including COREDO Muromachi and the Bank of Japan, added a cultural layer to the visit.
On the corporate side, the delegation met with ALMEC Corporation, a global planning and management consultancy involved in various JICA-funded projects across the world, including Asia. Dr. Chen-Wei Li, Mr. Yosui Seki, and Dr. Tithiwach Tansawat gave an inspiring session, sharing their global project experiences and career advice with the students.
The group also visited the headquarters of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) Japan GK. Mr. Lloyd Besin, LVMH’s Procurement Director, walked the students through the intricacies of luxury brand supply chains and procurement, while offering career advice based on his own journey—from managing Uniqlo store rollouts in Europe to joining LVMH.
At Zevero Japan, a forward-thinking sustainability startup, CEO Mr. Marvin Mori talked about how companies can reduce their carbon footprint using AI-powered tools. He also gave a candid comparison between working at large corporations like Toshiba and BloombergNEF versus life at a startup.
Of course, no trip to Tokyo would be complete without immersing in its culture. The group explored some of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods—Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara, and the historic Imperial Palace.
Looking ahead, UA&P-SSE is already planning its next international academic and corporate study tour—possibly to China or South Korea in 2026.
