The 24th Annual Conference of JSTHE: Final Announcement
This year’s Annual Convention will be held at Ritsumeikan University’s Osaka Ibaraki Campus (Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture) on March 8 and 9, 2025, under the theme “ Designing Future Tourism and Hospitality Education Inspired by the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan”. With population decline, globalization, and digital technology advancing at a rapid pace, the nature of education to nurture the next generation is at a turning point. However, many teachers in the field of education are facing challenges in introducing, implementing, and utilizing digital technology. Taking the opportunity of the Osaka-Kansai Expo to be held from April 2025, we will offer participants the chance to discuss the possibilities and challenges of developing tourism and hospitality education for the future.
Theme: Designing Future Tourism and Hospitality Education Inspired by the Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan
Date: March 8 – March 9, 2025 (Saturday – Sunday)
Venue: Ritsumeikan University, Osaka Ibaraki Campus
2-150 Iwakura-cho, Ibaraki, Osaka 〒567-8570
Access information：https://en.ritsumei.ac.jp/access/
Participation fee:
Regular and honorary members: 3,000 yen
Non-members (general): 2,000 yen for 1 day, 4,000 yen for 2 days
Associate members and non-members (graduate and undergraduate students): Free of charge
Non-member presenters (graduate and undergraduate students): 1,000 yen
Conference Reception
GARDEN TERRACE LION: Ritsumeikan Ibaraki Future Plaza
Fee: 6,000 yen
Click here for registration
（Deadline for participation is set for February 28 (Friday)）
１．Program
[1st Day：March 8th (Sat)]
12:15 Registration Starts
13:00 Research Reports and Educational Practice Reports
Program of ‘Research Report’ and ‘Educational Practice Report’
15:10 Symposium
Opening Remarks: Reiko Fujita
(Professor, Seikei University / President, Japanese Society of Tourism and Hospitality Educators)
Greetings from the Venue: Masahiro Makita
(Dean, Graduate School of Management, Ritsumeikan University)
Keynote Speech: Sachiko Nakajima
(Thematic Project Producer of Expo 2025, Osaka, Kansai, Japan. / CEO of steAm, Inc.)
Panel Discussion:
Coordinator: Noriyoshi Nishimura
(Dean, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences)
・Toshimitsu Kasai (Director, Hyogo Prefectural Hyogo-no-tsu Museum)
・Hiroshi Imai (Senior Consultant & Senior Producer, Office For Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Nikkei Inc. )
・Keita Ogushi (Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Otemon Gakuin University, Japan / Director, Japanese Society of Tourism and Hospitality Educators)
Closing Remarks: Tetsu Nakamura (Professor, College of Tourism and Hospitality, Tamagawa University / Vice President, Japanese Society of Tourism and Hospitality Educators)
Chairperson: Kenta Fukumoto (Professor, Faculty of International Studies, Hannan University/Vice President, Japanese Society of Tourism and Hospitality Educators)
18:00-20:00 Conference Reception （GARDEN TERRACE LION: Ritsumeikan Ibaraki Future Plaza）
[2nd Day：March 9th (Sun)]
08:30 Registration Start
09:00 JSTHE Internationalization Working Team
“CAMPFIRE Session”
Topic: Internationalization of tourism and hospitality education
【Moderator】Reiko Fujita（Seikei University）
We will share issues and examples of initiatives related to the internationalization of hospitality education, and explore the future direction of curriculum, international exchange, and research in tourism. The discussion will be held in a friendly atmosphere, similar to a campfire. (language used: plain English)
10:10 Workshops①〜⑤
① Educational issues and future prospects after the introduction of tourism business course (high school-university collaboration)
【Moderator】Hideyuki Ito （Takada Junior College）
We will exchange opinions on the challenges faced when dealing with tourism business classes in schools, concerns about introducing it, and the role that universities should play. In doing so, case studies being promoted by the Japan Tourism Agency and other organizations will be shared. In addition, through active discussions among practitioners in the field, we will seek better educational practices.
② English and Japanese for Specific Purposes in Tourism (ESP/JS)
【Moderator】Nobmii Nakai（Meikai University）
This workshop will examine approaches to English and Japanese language education tailored to careers in the tourism industry, including sectors such as travel, accommodation, dining, transportation, and tour guiding. It aims to explore methods for fostering communication skills that are effective in global professional contexts.
③ Current status and issues in tourism and international studies (undergraduate departments)
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【Moderator】Kenta Fukumoto (Hannan University）
Participants will share information on the current situation after the COVID-19, including the status of applications to undergraduate departments of tourism and international studies (entrance) and the employment situation in the tourism industry (exit), and discuss the measures to be taken and issues to be addressed.
④Practice of university classes in tourism and hospitality education: A case study of tourism psychology and tourism behavior
【Moderator】Tetsu Nakamura（Tamagawa University）
The content of “Tourism Psychology/Tourism Behavior” classes at universities varies greatly depending on the background of the instructors. In this workshop, several speakers will report case studies of their teaching practices. Then, participants will exchange opinions in a round-table discussion format. This workshop will be held as part of the “Current State of ‘Tourism Psychology/Tourism Behavior’ Courses at Universities” funded by the Japanese Society of Tourism and Hospitality Educators (JSTHE) in FY2024.
⑤Digitalization in Tourism Hospitality Education
【Moderator】Keita Ogushi （Otemon Gakuin University）
All participants will share information and deepen discussion on the impact of digital technology on tourism hospitality education, its challenges, and its potential. We aim to provide an opportunity to organize the latest trends and future prospects, and to clarify the issues and actions required of educators.
12:00 Reports from the workshops
Moderator: Shoko Iwata
(Part-time lecturer, Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University / Director, Japanese Society of Tourism and Hospitality Educators)
12:20 Closing Ceremony
Closing Remarks: Kenta Fukumoto
(Professor, Faculty of International Studies, Hannan University/Vice President, Japanese Society of Tourism and Hospitality Educators)
