Learn About the Future of Shipping with Takushi Izawa: "MEGURI2040 Shipboard Quiz Tour" Held

The Nippon Foundation (Minato-ku, Tokyo, Chairman Takehisa Ogata), which has been working to solve social issues through the sea and ships since its establishment in 1962, held the "Nippon Foundation Presents Takushi Izawa's 'MEGURI2040' Shipboard Quiz Tour ~A Challenge from the Future of the Sea~" on July 5, 2026, aboard the "Olimpia Dream Seto," departing from and returning to Shin-Okayama Port in Okayama Prefecture, as part of the autonomous ship project "MEGURI2040."

On the day, 94 participants, primarily junior high and high school students selected from 257 applicants nationwide, boarded the "Olimpia Dream Seto." Together with quiz player Takushi Izawa, they learned about autonomous navigation technology and the future of shipping while tackling quizzes and puzzles set on the world's first commercial autonomous ship (*).

* The "Olimpia Dream Seto" is the world's first commercial vessel to achieve autonomous operation (equivalent to Level 4 autonomous driving) for regular passenger service.

Takushi Izawa, who conveys the joy of learning to a wide range of generations through quizzes, appeared as a presenter. Participants took notes of the hints scattered throughout the talk.

Participants pondered quizzes about the current state and challenges of Japanese shipping, and the secrets of autonomous ships, while enjoying the sea breeze. There were also scenes of participants cooperating and having fun.

After the approximately two-hour onboard event, participants and Izawa took a commemorative photo with smiles in front of the "Olimpia Dream Seto," the world's first commercial autonomous ship.

Keisuke Nomoto of the Nippon Foundation (right in photo) introduced the "MEGURI2040" autonomous ship project.

To allow the next generation, who will support the future of shipping, to experience "ships of the future."

Japan is an island nation surrounded by the sea, and maritime transport supports a large portion of domestic logistics. However, the shipping industry faces serious challenges such as the aging of seafarers and a shortage of personnel, making it difficult to maintain a safe and sustainable transportation system.

The Nippon Foundation's "MEGURI2040" autonomous ship project aims to solve these issues through the social implementation of autonomous navigation technology. At the same time, fostering the next generation of human resources to support these technologies and industries, and promoting public understanding, are also important themes.

This event was held with the aim of providing junior and senior high school students with an opportunity to experience the appeal of the sea, ships, and the maritime industry, and to think about the future of shipping.

Takushi Izawa conveyed the appeal of autonomous ships through quizzes.

Takushi Izawa, who conveys the joy of learning to a wide range of generations through quizzes, appeared as a presenter at the event. Izawa sent a message to the participants, saying, "I hope you were able to learn many things about the sea and ships through the quizzes. You may not have many opportunities to ride or see ships up close in your daily lives. However, those ships and the people who live around the sea support our lives. I would be happy if you could share what you learned today and deepen your understanding with those around you, or recall it from time to time, and feel that there are people who support our lives. I hope today's experience will be an opportunity for you to think about your connection to the sea, ships, and society."

At the end of the event, Izawa presented signed certificates of commendation to 11 participants who cleared the final quiz question. The participants expressed their joy as Izawa personally inscribed each certificate.

Nippon Foundation Comment

Keisuke Nomoto of the Nippon Foundation commented, "It is not only technology that creates the future of the sea, but also the people who will carry it forward. That is why we believe it is important for the next generation to feel that the sea and ships are not 'difficult things' but 'interesting things' and 'things they want to know more about.' I would be happy if this event becomes the first step in thinking about the sea, ships, and the future society."

Participant Comments

Participants commented, "It was fun to increase my knowledge of the sea and ships with each quiz I solved while exploring the ship," "It was fun to have Izawa-san give us quizzes right in front of us. Even difficult questions made me say 'I see!' after hearing the explanations, and I wanted to know more about the sea," and "Hearing the goal of 'half of all ships to be autonomous by 2040' made my imagination run wild about what the sea will be like when we grow up."

* This refers to a technological stage where full autonomous operation is partially possible. It indicates a level where fully autonomous driving is possible without human intervention in specific areas or under certain conditions. (Definitions of ship autonomous driving are currently being discussed by the International Maritime Organization [IMO], etc. The definition for automobiles is being used for convenience.) The "Olimpia Dream Seto" passed national ship inspections in December 2025 and began full commercial operation.

Reference: https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001226541.pdf (External link)