Heading to Okinawa! Exploring the Blue Economy and Tech Innovation, Witnessing the Transformation Miracle of a Startup Island

The NTU Office of International Affairs (OIA), in collaboration with Startup Island Taiwan (National Development Council) and KOZAROCKS, leveraged local resources to host the "2026 NTU Okinawa – Blue Economy and Tech Revitalization." This initiative led 10 cross-disciplinary students from the NTU System deep into Okinawa's startup hubs for an in-depth exploration combining cutting-edge scientific research with sustainable industries. Under the professional guidance of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), students entered a top-tier research sanctuary home to Nobel laureates. They witnessed firsthand how the research environment and biotech teams like CancerFree translate scientific breakthroughs into commercial solutions. A key highlight of the itinerary focused on the "Lab-to-Market" pathway: observing automated land-based aquaculture technology at ARK Inc., and visiting the Ryu Lab startup base at the University of the Ryukyus to learn how the university integrates campus resources with startup collaboration to build a comprehensive talent cultivation system. Additionally, hand-harvesting "Green Caviar" (sea grapes) at " Uminchi" allowed students to see firsthand how Okinawa develops traditional marine resources into a high-value "Blue Economy." Furthermore, students visited the Koza Startup Arcade, a magnificent transformation of an old shopping street. Led by representative Kenichiro Toyosato, they learned how Koza turned from a quiet shopping district into an innovation hub that attracts thousands of people annually, while engaging with local investors and startup teams. Beyond professional field studies, the team also traversed American Village, downtown Okinawa, and Kokusai Dori, seeking innovative inspiration amidst deep history and modern American flair. This five-day journey allowed students to experience island culture while witnessing Okinawa's transformation from a tourist destination into a dynamic "Tech Innovation Island."