Hiroshi Mizoahra, Chairman of Osaka Tourism Bureau and Former Director of Japan Tourism Agency, Appointed Principal of 'KLP Juku' — A Next-Generation Leadership Program for Tourism Industry Launching August 8 with 50 Selected Participants

The Osaka Tourism Bureau (Chairman: Hiroshi Mizoahra) and KLP LLC (Representative: Daiki Shimada) will launch a practical leadership development program titled 'KLP Juku 2026' on Saturday, August 8, Reiwa 8 (2026), aiming to cultivate next-generation leaders capable of excelling in tourism and hospitality, as well as in politics, administration, regional revitalization, urban development, entertainment, MICE, and entrepreneurship, in anticipation of the opening of Osaka's Integrated Resort (IR) in 2030.

Official website: https://klpjuku.com

*Note: While some speakers are not listed in the syllabus due to technical reasons, we plan to feature speakers such as the Chairman of MGM Osaka, leading Japanese entertainers, and executives from major theme parks. For detailed information, please select 'Request for Explanation' on the application form.

About KLP Juku

KLP Juku, short for 'Kankou Leadership Platform Juku,' is a selective private academy designed to nurture young leaders who can transform communities and society through tourism. The program views tourism as a cross-sectoral growth field encompassing regional economies, culture, food, entertainment, education, technology, and urban development, aiming to cultivate future leaders for Japan's regions and the nation. Through hands-on practice, participants will develop the ability to create social value and become change-makers for local communities and Japan.

Set against the backdrop of the legacy of the Osaka-Kansai Expo and the upcoming opening of Osaka's IR in 2030, participants will not only attend lectures but also engage directly with real-world challenges faced by local communities and businesses, undertaking planning, implementation, evaluation, and presentations.

◾️ Key Features

① Practice-Oriented Design: 20% Lecture, 80% Practice

KLP Juku intentionally minimizes lecture time and maximizes practical experience. The next generation of leaders needs not just knowledge, but the experience of identifying challenges on-site, thinking independently, and taking action. Participants will work on practical projects aimed at creating value on the scale of 10 million yen.

② Instructors Who Teach Beyond Tourism to Create New Value

Future tourism requires more than showcasing regional charm—it demands the ability to plan and develop new experiences and businesses and deliver them to society while engaging diverse stakeholders. At KLP Juku, participants will learn directly from practitioners at the forefront of their fields, including the former Director of the Japan Tourism Agency, local government leaders, top executives of IR operating companies, and key figures in the entertainment industry, through direct dialogue and peer discussions.

③ Fieldwork with Local Government Leaders

KLP Juku will conduct fieldwork tours of local communities together with municipal leaders and regional stakeholders. By experiencing regional challenges and attractions firsthand and engaging in dialogue with stakeholders, participants will develop plans to create new value for communities through tourism.

Group photo from the Tokyo pre-event held on July 4

Lecture by Principal Mizoahra at the Tokyo pre-event on July 4

Cultivating Next-Generation Talent to Lead New Tourism in Anticipation of Osaka's IR Opening in 2030

Osaka is entering a new phase of development as an international tourism city, following the Osaka-Kansai Expo and ahead of the planned opening of the Osaka IR in 2030.

The Osaka IR is expected to create approximately 15,000 jobs annually. In addition to talent supporting on-site operations across tourism, MICE, entertainment, and urban development, it is crucial to cultivate core human resources who can manage operations and lead the entire industry in the future. Japan's attractions—natural beauty, landscapes, cuisine, history, and culture—praised by travelers worldwide, are found not in cities but in regional areas. We believe 'tourism is a comprehensive strategic industry for regions,' and have incorporated extensive fieldwork addressing regional challenges as a core learning component. This is made possible only through collaboration with the Osaka Tourism Bureau, which leads Japan's tourism showcase initiatives, and is a major distinguishing feature of KLP Juku.

Speakers from the Forefront of Various Fields, Including Former Tourism Agency Director, Municipal Leaders, and IR Executives

Instructors include Hiroshi Mizoahra (Principal of KLP Juku, former Director of the Japan Tourism Agency, and Chairman of the Osaka Tourism Bureau), Shuichiro Ueda, Mayor of Muroto City, Kochi Prefecture, Nobuki Watanabe, Chairman of MGM Osaka Co., Ltd., and leading entertainers and politicians representing Japan—leaders who are actively advancing projects and solving challenges at the forefront of their respective fields, not limited to tourism and hospitality. In a small-group setting, participants will engage in direct dialogue with instructors, gain inspiration for growth, and further develop their expression, coordination, and problem-solving skills through discussions with peers.

Syllabus

The program's chief mentor will be Mr. Kaichi Tanaka, General Manager, Chief Strategy Officer, and Director of MICE Promotion Strategy at the Osaka Tourism Bureau. Mr. Tanaka previously served as Senior Managing Director at RX Japan LLC and has worked alongside Principal Mizoahra at the Osaka Tourism Bureau on MICE promotion, the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and the advancement of the Osaka IR. At KLP Juku, Mr. Tanaka and other mentors with proven track records on the front lines of business and regional development will support participants' learning and practical activities.

Principal: Hiroshi Mizoahra

Principal, Osaka Tourism Bureau (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) / Former Director of Japan Tourism Agency

Hiroshi Mizoahra

Born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1960. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, then joined the Ministry of Home Affairs (now the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications). Served as Director of the Japan Tourism Agency, Advisor to the Cabinet Office, and Special Advisor to Osaka Prefecture. Currently serves as Chairman of the Osaka Tourism Bureau and Chair of the IR Promotion Council.

Opportunities for Participants

● Opportunity to learn from instructors and mentors active at the forefront of the tourism industry

● Fieldwork tours of regions with mayors and local stakeholders

● Recommendation letters and certificates of completion from Chairman Mizoahra (subject to certain criteria)

● Networking with like-minded peers who are also striving to make an impact

● Opportunities to participate in IR and large-scale regional projects

● Support for implementing projects and events (subject to certain criteria)

Program Overview

Name: KLP Juku 2026 (Supported by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Japan Tourism Agency)

Start Date: Saturday, August 8, Reiwa 8 (2026)

Duration: August to December 2026 (tentative)

Target Audience: High school and university students interested in tourism, regional revitalization, urban development, and business

Number of Participants: Approximately 50

Format: Selective admission

Number of Sessions: 10 sessions total

Main Venues: Osaka Tourism Bureau Meeting Rooms, Blooming Camp by Sakura Internet, various fieldwork locations

Tuition: Participants are expected to attend all 10 sessions. Tuition is 3,000 JPY (excluding tax) per session.

*Special student pricing

Application Deadline: Sunday, July 26, Reiwa 8 (2026)

Application Method: https://forms.gle/a9B4cs96ED5MkqXV9

Official Website

Keywords: