Know Nippon is a seminar series designed to help people discover Japan through the eyes of its younger generation.

Japan is often introduced through its famous traditions, food, pop culture, and tourist destinations. But there is much more to Japan than what we see on the surface. Its history, culture, society, and everyday life have been shaped by centuries of change, and there are many stories and perspectives that deserve to be explored.

Through Know Nippon, Japanese high school and university students research and present topics related to Japanese history, culture, society, and everyday life — in English.

The project creates an opportunity for young Japanese speakers to share what they know and what they find interesting about their country, while giving participants from Japan and around the world a chance to learn about Japan directly from the perspective of its younger generation.

Each Know Nippon seminar focuses on a specific topic related to Japan.

Topics may range from history and traditional culture to food, education, social issues, contemporary life, and other aspects of Japanese society.

Rather than simply providing information, each seminar aims to encourage participants to learn, think, ask questions, and exchange perspectives.

The seminars are conducted in English, making them accessible to people from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds and creating a space where Japanese participants can also gain experience communicating with an international audience.

One of the key ideas behind Know Nippon is that Japan can be understood not only through textbooks or established narratives, but also through the voices of the people who live there today.

By giving young Japanese people the opportunity to research and present, the project encourages them to look at their own culture from a new perspective. At the same time, participants can discover aspects of Japan that they may not encounter through conventional tourism or cultural introductions.

It is a two-way learning experience: Japanese students share their perspectives, and participants from around the world bring their own questions, experiences, and viewpoints.

Know Nippon is open to anyone who is interested in Japan, including:

• People who want to learn more about Japanese history and culture

• People living in Japan who want to explore Japan from a different perspective

• International residents and visitors who want to better understand Japanese society

• Japanese students interested in sharing their knowledge with an international audience

• Anyone who enjoys learning and exchanging ideas across cultures

We hope Know Nippon will become a place where people can learn about Japan, discover new perspectives, and connect with one another beyond cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Japan is not a single story. It is a collection of histories, traditions, experiences, ideas, and everyday lives.

Know Nippon is an invitation to explore those stories together.