Discovering What You Love in a Multicultural Environment
APU Student Portfolios
PROFILE
Kurumi Nakaniwa
*Interview conducted in January 2026.
From a Growing Awareness of Global Waste Issues and the SDGs to Transformation and Growth at APU
Building Better Communities by Connecting Individual Experiences into Broader Change
JOURNEY
The Journey to Discovering What I Love
- Child Played Volleyball Since Elementary School
- JH/HS Learned About Global Waste Issues and the SDGs Through a JICA Workshop
- Enter APU Enter APU to Study International Cooperation and Sustainable Development
-
APU
Year 1 Introduction to Environmental Development
Clarified My Academic Direction -
APU
Year 2 Inspired by “Agricultural Heritage and Tourism” -
APU
Year 3 Joined Prof. Ohashi’s Seminar
Discussed My Thesis Topic -
APU
Year 4 Researched Urban Development
What were you like in high school?
My high school placed equal emphasis on academics and extracurricular activities, with particularly strong programs in cheerleading and volleyball. Although I had played volleyball since elementary school, I chose to continue at an external club so that I could balance my training schedule. The achievement I am most proud of from that time is serving as a class representative for three years. I wanted to challenge myself through a position of responsibility and become someone who could think and act independently. I have always enjoyed exploring new opportunities, and looking back, attending a JICA workshop after casually noticing a poster at school was a turning point for me. It was there that I first learned about global waste issues and the SDGs, which ultimately led me to the path I am pursuing today.
What made you decide to enroll at APU?
A teacher at the admissions preparation school I attended encouraged me to consider APU. I had dreamed of working for JICA, so I was drawn to the opportunity to study international cooperation and environmental development in a specialized academic environment. In addition, my preparatory school organized an event where I was able to experience an APU class. Meeting professors and students firsthand gave me a strong sense of the university’s unique appeal, which ultimately played a significant role in my decision to enroll.
What was the most memorable class you took after enrolling at APU?
One of the most influential courses I took in my first year was Introduction to Environmental Development, an elective that matched my interests. The course placed a strong emphasis on the SDGs, and it motivated me to specialize in environmental development. Learning about the challenges of achieving sustainability goals, such as reducing CO₂ emissions, helped me realize the gap that often exists between ambitious targets and reality. It also gave me a clear goal: to explore what concrete actions, even small ones, can help close that gap and create positive change.
Was there a particular course or professor that inspired the topic of your graduation thesis?
One of the most influential courses I took was Agricultural Heritage and Tourism, which was offered in English. By walking around communities in Oita and learning from the fields and real-world examples found close to us, I realized that studying through practical experience, rather than only at a desk, was both valuable and enjoyable. As tourism was my minor field of study, I was also interested in Tourism Marketing and Management, where I explored possible approaches to addressing the overtourism issues in Yufuin. During an interview before joining Professor Ohashi’s seminar, I was asked what I hoped to research. When I talked about my background and my interest in environmental greening, he immediately engaged me in an enthusiastic discussion about potential themes for my graduation thesis.
What did you write your graduation thesis on?
My research focuses on urban development, and I chose “Urban Policy and Community Development Through Green Space Networks” as the theme of my graduation thesis. In my hometown of Ikebukuro, Tokyo, efforts have been made to enhance public spaces through initiatives such as rooftop gardens on department stores and cafés in parks that help generate economic activity. Seeing these developments led me to wonder how such green spaces could be connected as a network rather than existing as separate locations. To explore this idea, I visited the Toshima City Office and spoke with officials about current policies and urban planning initiatives, which became an important part of my research.
How do you reflect on your four years at APU?
I worked hard not only in my studies but also in my part-time job. Having been involved in social media management since high school, I took on a public relations role for a craft beer company. The work was diverse, ranging from helping farmers harvest the ingredients used in the beer and creating product packaging to coordinating with external partners for events. Every experience was a new challenge. By working closely with many professionals from different backgrounds, I learned how to take greater responsibility for my work and act more independently.
What are your plans after graduation, and what are your goals for the future?
After graduation, I will join an advertising and consulting company in Tokyo, where I hope to make use of both what I have learned at university and my personal strengths. Since the company is committed to regional revitalization, I would like to support small and medium-sized businesses whose unique qualities and attractions have not yet been fully communicated to wider audiences. I also hope to draw on the teamwork skills I developed at APU, where I learned to work with and value people who hold different perspectives. In addition, my experience of moving from Tokyo to Oita and living in a place surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, as well as my naturally curious personality, will continue to be valuable assets as I pursue this work.
Do you have a message for prospective students?
At APU, I became close friends with an international student from China, and we developed such a strong friendship that I visited their family home in China several times. Through friendships like this, I met people with a wide variety of perspectives and ways of thinking, which greatly broadened my view of the world. It is okay to feel uncertain at times, and it is okay to lose confidence occasionally. What matters is not forgetting your willingness to take on new challenges and cherishing the people who support and encourage you along the way.