Responsible Business from East to West 2024 – Study Tour to Japan, Day 3

Following on from our previous entry (Days 1 and 2), students from Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB), and National Chiayi University (NCYU) had the chance to go on a study tour to Tokyo from May 13 to 17 under the Asian Business Education Network. Students could gain invaluable insights into Japan’s cutting-edge approach to sustainable business practices and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.

Day 3 Workshop

The third day of the study tour started at 9 AM, this time being fully based at the Tokyo Campus of NUCB’s Business School. Students made their way directly to the campus to start the day's content. Prof. Hoe Chin Goi joined us for an interactive workshop based on the startup mymizu based in Tokyo. Students could learn about the company's business model and its sustainability practices in Japan and abroad.

"Mymizu"

mymizu is a pioneering startup based in Tokyo, dedicated to reducing plastic waste by promoting the use of reusable water bottles. Founded in 2019, mymizu offers a free app that helps users locate over 200,000 refill stations worldwide, including cafes, restaurants, and public fountains where they can refill their bottles for free. By partnering with various businesses and organizations, mymizu aims to create a global movement towards sustainability and environmental consciousness. Their innovative approach not only addresses the growing plastic pollution crisis but also encourages a shift in consumer behavior towards more eco-friendly practices.

The day also included a guest visit from Mr. Lawrie Cate, the CTO of mymizu who gave a presentation on mymizu's history and objectives. Prof. Goi also organized a "mymizu hunt" where students could explore the streets of Tokyo and search for potential water refilling spots. Participants then gave a short presentation on their findings, and provided feedback on the mymizu app.

Finally, students who participated in the online Responsible Business Workshop completed gave their presentations based on the content they had been studying. NUCB's particpants gave an excellent presentation which again sparked a number of follow-up questions from others participating in the study tour.  

Asian Business Education Network

The Asian Business Education Network (ABEN) is a platform that aims to deepen engagement among the top business schools in Asia and build strategic multilateral collaborations through education, student experience, industry engagement, and research.

The network currently consists of three universities: Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB), and National Chiayi University (NCYU).