▌NTU Beyond Borders：走訪百年企業與新創交織的東京，探索創新創業生態圈
響應 NTU Beyond Borders 讓臺大學生走向國際、接軌全球產業，國際處與引水人計劃夥伴－日本新創創投公司 Water Mirror 合作，共同舉辦「 2025臺大東京創新創業見習團」，帶領學生深入東京，探訪百年企業、新創公司與社會企業，深入了解日本創投生態圈與產業環境。
本次見習團與三百年佃煮企業新橋玉木屋社長田卷恭子、四百年日本酒企業福光屋社長福光松太郎，以及新創公司 INFINIT8 CEO小林弘和等公司領導人進行了深度對談與交流；另一方面，見習團也實地走訪了孵化新創的 TIB - Tokyo Innovation Base、將京都西陣織推向國際的 HOSOO、具有國際化工作環境的 List Sotheby's International Realty（リスト サザビーズ インターナショナル リアルティ） 與 楽天市場（Rakuten Group, Inc.）、執行具有社會影響力或跨國投資的 Miyako Capital みやこキャピタル 與 大和企業投資 DCI Partners，以及與臺灣文策院有密切合作的遊戲新創公司 JPUniverse，更積極孵化當地社會企業 Impact HUB Tokyo；透過實地參訪，學生們得以親身體驗不同產業的營運模式與企業文化，深入了解日本創新創業生態圈。
在精實的交流與參訪行程外，見習團也安排了豐富的文化體驗活動，如茶道、飯糰製作等，讓學生們深入了解日本傳統文化。也到訪 Startup Island TAIWAN - Tokyo Hub，與在日工作台灣人社群交流，日本職活 Worklife in Japan 的夥伴也向同學分享在日發展職涯與求職的甘苦談。
六天的行程緊湊而充實，見習團學生們在交流、參訪與經驗分享的過程中，展現了高度的自信、專業與跨文化敏感度。即使是第一次出團，學生們的表現仍獲得日本當地企業與領導者的高度肯定。東京作為一個充滿產業活力、擁抱外國人才、積極建構創新創業與產業永續生態鏈的城市，相信這座城市的身影將永遠停駐在同學們的記憶中，成為未來發展的寶貴資產。
2025年暑假國際處將續辦東京創新創業見習團，也將開拓新的主題讓同學可以到南非、捷克還有日本其他城市見習 ，請大家敬請期待並密切關注國際引水人計畫: https://internshipabroad.ntu.edu.tw/
▌NTU Beyond Borders: Exploring Tokyo's Blend of Century-Old Businesses and Startups, Discovering the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem
In line with NTU Beyond Borders' mission to enable NTU students to go international and connect with the global industry, NTUOIA partnered with Water Mirror, a Japanese startup venture capital firm, to co-host the "2025 NTU - Water Mirror Tokyo: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow" This program led students on an in-depth exploration of Tokyo, visiting century-old enterprises, startups, and social enterprises to gain a deep understanding of Japan's venture capital ecosystem and industrial environment.
The traineeship engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges with leaders of various companies. These included President Kyoko Tamaki of Shimbashi Tamakiya (a 300-year-old tsukudani maker), President Matsutaro Fukumitsu of Fukumitsuya (a 400-year-old sake brewery), and CEO Hirokazu Kobayashi of the startup INFINIT8. The group also conducted on-site visits to facilities and organizations fostering innovation and supporting startups: Tokyo Innovation Base (TIB), which incubates emerging ventures; HOSOO TOKYO, which brings Kyoto’s Nishijin weaving to international markets; List Sotheby’s International Realty and Rakuten Group Inc., both offering globally oriented workplaces; as well as Miyako Capital and Daiwa Corporate Investment, which engage in socially impactful or transnational investments. Moreover, they visited the gaming startup JP Universe, known for its close collaboration with Taiwan Creative Content Agency, and Impact Hub Tokyo, which actively incubates local social enterprises.
In addition to the intensive exchange and visit schedule, the study tour also included rich cultural experiences such as tea ceremonies and onigiri making, allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of traditional Japanese culture. The group also visited Startup Island TAIWAN - Tokyo Hub to connect with the Taiwanese community working in Japan, and JapanWorkLife partners shared their experiences and challenges in developing their careers and finding jobs in Japan.
The six-day trip was packed and fulfilling. Throughout the exchanges, visits, and experience sharing, the students demonstrated a high degree of confidence, professionalism, and cross-cultural sensitivity. Despite being the first tour group, the students' performance was highly recognized by local Japanese businesses and leaders. Tokyo, as a city full of industrial dynamism, embracing foreign talent, and actively building an ecosystem of innovation, entrepreneurship, and industrial sustainability, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the students' memories, becoming a valuable asset for their future development.
NTUOIA will continue to organize the Tokyo Innovation and Entrepreneurship Traineeship in the summer of 2025 and will also explore new themes, allowing students to visit South Africa, Czech Republic, and other cities in Japan for traineeship. Please stay tuned and follow the NTU Overseas Internship Program: https://internshipabroad.ntu.edu.tw/
