To acquire entrepreneurship skills in Estonia in order to establish a company that builds human-centered smart cities in Japan.

Estonia

3rd Year, Department of Business Information：INADA Atsuhito
Study Abroad Period: August 18, 2024 – August 31, 2024
TOBITATE! Study Abroad Initiative

My purpose for studying abroad is to establish a company that aims to build smart cities in Japan and create people-centered, convenient urban areas.
I studied abroad in Estonia to actually observe smart cities and to acquire entrepreneurship skills, including the abilities and knowledge needed to start a business.

Overview of the Training

I participated in a one-week entrepreneurship program hosted by Next Innovation, a company connecting Estonia and Japan.

Before the program started, I stayed with an Estonian entrepreneur’s family through a homestay, where I experienced the local culture and education firsthand.

During the program, we visited different companies and schools every day and engaged in activities related to technology and entrepreneurship.

One highlight was visiting the headquarters of Clevon, a company that manufactures autonomous delivery robots. There, I gained practical skills by making a simple robot myself.

In a teamwork program, I collaborated with other participants to solve challenges, which helped me develop leadership and problem-solving skills.

Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship

Since I want to start my own business in the future, I asked my host father and Estonian entrepreneurs about how to develop entrepreneurship skills and manage risks.

Rainer Stanfeld, the managing partner of NordicNinja, a company mainly engaged in investments, said, “The most important thing is to actually work under an entrepreneur.”

My host father, Sten, told me, “Entrepreneurship naturally develops by solving problems.”

Through these conversations, I reaffirmed the importance of learning through hands-on experience.

Additionally, Estonia’s education system emphasizes independent thinking and action. In a robot-making workshop, we were required to think and act on our own.

I believe this approach to education is a key factor in deeply rooting the entrepreneurial spirit in Estonia.

Interview with Rainer

Scenes from the Robot-Making Workshop

Smart City Tour

I visited Ülemiste City, a smart city in Estonia, where I observed firsthand how advanced technologies are being utilized in urban development. What impressed me the most was a system at a pedestrian crossing that records the movements of pedestrians in real-time. I realized that such data collection mechanisms are a crucial element of smart cities.

Additionally, despite the absence of pedestrian traffic lights, I saw people crossing the street safely, which helped me understand Estonia’s commitment to creating a “human-centered city.”

Ülemiste City

Understanding Other Cultures and Rediscovering Japanese Culture

During my study abroad, I spent Estonia’s Independence Day with my host family, which deepened my understanding of a different culture. I also gave them Japanese treats such as traditional sweets, plain rice, and miso soup, which made me rediscover the beauty of Japanese cuisine.

Independence Day Party

I gave them miso soup as a gift.

Outcomes of the Program and Future Goals

Through this program, I deepened my understanding of smart cities and entrepreneurship, and developed the ability to view things from various perspectives.

Moving forward, I will apply what I learned in Estonia to work toward establishing a smart city in Japan.

In addition, I aim to continue deepening my intercultural understanding, take on global challenges, and grow into someone who can make meaningful contributions to society.

Study Abroad Experience Report（TOBITATE! Study Abroad Initiative）

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