We learned about the role of government in creating an enabling ecosystem for startups‚ the importance of supporting entrepreneurs throughout their journey‚ and the value of connecting them with the right services‚ finance‚ knowledge‚ networks‚ and opportunities. One of our key takeaways was that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to entrepreneurship support. We saw how support can be shaped around the needs‚ resources‚ and potential of different regions—and how regional networks can help ensure that opportunities are accessible beyond major metropolitan areas. This was particularly meaningful to many of us‚ as we return to countries where strengthening entrepreneurship in regional cities is an important challenge.

We also had the opportunity to see the power of collaboration in practice. Government institutions‚ local authorities‚ universities‚ research institutions‚ financial institutions‚ industry‚ support organizations‚ and startups can each contribute different resources and expertise. When these actors are connected‚ they can create a stronger and more accessible ecosystem. This experience reminded us that strong ecosystems are built through connection‚ coordination‚ and collaboration.

And‚ of course‚ we cannot talk about this program without mentioning the assignments‚ presentations‚ and deadlines! They certainly kept us busy—sometimes very busy! But they also added another valuable dimension to our experience. They encouraged us to reflect on what we were learning‚ exchange ideas with one another‚ and turn our experiences into practical outputs.

And‚ perhaps surprisingly‚ we even came to enjoy the process! Our Action Plans were an important part of this journey. They allowed us to look closely at challenges in our own countries‚ understand their root causes‚ and translate what we learned in Japan into practical actions that can be adapted to our own contexts. We are returning home not simply with an Action Plan‚ but with new perspectives on how to approach our challenges—and with the responsibility to turn learning into action.

At this point‚ I would like to express our special appreciation and deeply grateful to
Mr. Hida‚ thank you for your dedication and the professionalism you showed throughout the program. You reminded us that responsibility and respect for our work go beyond professional standards — they are values we can carry with us.
Ms. Hatano‚ thank you so much for your patience‚ kindness‚ and for always taking the time to answer our questions and support us.
and Mr. Oshiro‚ our Training Officer—thank you for your constant guidance and for creating a program that was not only informative‚ but also engaging‚ practical‚ and meaningful throughout the program.
You were there not only to organize the program‚ but also to guide us through our learning journey‚ respond to our questions‚ and encourage us along the way. Your support made a real difference to our experience.
To all our lecturers and experts‚ thank you for your valuable insights‚ practical examples‚ thoughtful discussions‚ and for encouraging us to look at our own challenges from new perspectives.

We are deeply grateful to JICA and to all the organizations and ecosystem partners in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu city who welcomed us‚ opened their doors to us‚ and generously shared their knowledge and experiences. And beyond the lectures and field visits‚ the cultural experiences and interactions we shared during our stay added another special dimension to this program. They gave us the opportunity to connect with people‚ discover Fukuoka and Japan from different perspectives‚ and create memories that we will carry home with us.

We arrived as participants from different countries‚ but through our shared experiences‚ discussions‚ cultural exchanges‚ and countless conversations‚ we became colleagues and friends. We will return to our countries carrying different lessons and different Action Plans—but with a shared commitment to put what we have learned into practice. Japan has taught us many things about entrepreneurship‚ innovation‚ collaboration‚ and regional development.
So‚ the most important lesson is this:
We should not simply copy what we have seen; we should understand it‚ adapt it‚ and create solutions that work for our own communities.
We arrived in Japan as participants.
We leave as learners‚ partners‚ and bridges between our countries and Japan.
So‚ on behalf of all of us‚ I would like to say:
Thank you‚ JICA. Thank you‚ KITA. Thank you to Japan.
And thank you to everyone who made this journey possible.
This may be the end of our training program‚ but we hope it is only the beginning of a long-lasting connection and continued collaboration.
Dōmo arigatō gozaimasu.