Kanagawa Prefectural Government Blog

A perspective photograph taken from one end of a very long, highly polished wooden conference table in a formal meeting room at the Kanagawa Prefectural Government building (Untitled design (1).jpg). The image captures the setup for the meeting between study abroad students and Governor KUROIWA Yuji described in the blog. Numerous individual settings for attendees line the table, each featuring a blue reusable tote bag printed with the concept "ME-BYO" and topped with a printed presentation packet titled "Healthcare New Frontier Policy" with a photo of the Governor. Paper water cartons are also present. In the background, a large screen displays the presentation slide: "Healthcare New Frontier Policy" and "KUROIWA Yuji, Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture". Small Japanese and US flags are placed centrally on the table. Several staff members are standing and working on the left, and students are seated on the right. This scene physicalizes the discussion about public policy and the 'ME-BYO' concept mentioned in the blog text.

June 1, 2026, was an impactful day of my study abroad experience in Japan. Today, I had the opportunity to meet Governor Yuji Kuroiwa of Kanagawa Prefecture and learn about the challenges and opportunities associated with Japan’s aging population. One concept that stood out to me was ME-BYO, which Governor Kuroiwa described as the state between being completely healthy and being sick. Rather than waiting until illness occurs, Japan encourages people to actively manage their health throughout their lives. He also discussed the idea of INOCHI, or life, emphasizing that no society can completely prevent disease or death. Instead, the goal is to help people live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives as they age. I found this perspective fascinating because it focuses on quality of life rather than simply extending life expectancy. It helped me better understand why Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world and how public policy can improve the well-being of entire communities.

Another meaningful experience today was meeting students from South Korea and spending time with both them and the members of our own group. It was inspiring to see people from different countries come together to learn from one another and share experiences. Throughout the day, we had conversations about our cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, which helped build genuine connections despite our differences. This interaction made me realize that study abroad is about much more than visiting new places; it is about forming relationships and developing a broader understanding of the world. Seeing students from different cultures connect so naturally made the purpose of this program feel real. By the end of the day, I felt that the educational lessons from meeting the governor and the personal lessons from cultural exchange complemented each other perfectly. This experience showed me the importance of both understanding global issues and building connections with people from different backgrounds, making it one of the most memorable days of my trip so far.

A group of six study abroad students pose together on an observation deck overlooking Yokohama Harbor in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Smiling and making peace signs, the students stand with the waterfront, bridges, and city skyline in the background following a day of learning about aging policy and cultural exchange.

Angel Pham
Media & Communication Studies Major | University of Maryland, Baltimore County