UK-Japan Youth Challenge 2026
The UK-Japan Youth Challenge is going to be held on campus between 24th October and 1st November 2026.
The UK-Japan Youth Challenge 2026 is an intensive 9-day programme that combines academic research experience, language learning, and cultural immersion at Tohoku University, one of Japan’s premier research institutions. Located in Sendai, the “City of Trees,” participants will engage with cutting-edge research while discovering Japanese culture and building international networks.
This programme is scheduled during the UK autumn half-term (Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November 2026), making it accessible for students to participate without missing regular schooling.
Why join us?
By participating in the UK-Japan Youth Challenge 2026, you can:
Research Experience:
Participants will spend their afternoons engaged in hands-on laboratory research at Tohoku University, working alongside world-class researchers and gaining practical experience in their field of interest. Research areas available span engineering, materials science, life sciences, and more, giving participants insight into university-level research at one of Japan’s most prestigious institutions.
Language Learning:
Daily morning sessions will include Japanese language lessons designed for international exchange, as well as English communication workshops to help participants develop their presentation and academic discussion skills. Whether you’re a complete beginner or have some Japanese language experience, our lessons are tailored to support your learning journey.
Cultural Immersion:
Beyond the classroom and laboratory, participants will experience Japanese culture firsthand, including a cultural exchange day in Tokyo on Day 8. This is an opportunity to explore Japan’s vibrant capital and experience its unique blend of tradition and modernity.
Final Presentation:
The programme culminates in a formal research presentation session where participants will showcase their findings to peers, faculty, and researchers, developing valuable academic presentation skills.
Laboratory Research Experience
The heart of the UK-Japan Youth Challenge is the hands-on laboratory research experience at Tohoku University. As Japan’s first University for International Research Excellence and consistently ranked #1 in Japan, Tohoku University operates over 150 cutting-edge research laboratories across ten faculties, including Science, Engineering, Medicine, and Life Sciences. These laboratories are at the forefront of global research in fields ranging from materials science and nanotechnology to disaster resilience and biomedical engineering.
Throughout the programme, you will spend your afternoons working in one of these world-leading laboratories, gaining practical experience that few students at your level have the opportunity to access. This is not just observation—you will actively participate in ongoing research projects, work with sophisticated equipment, and engage directly with researchers who are shaping the future of their fields.
Your Research Journey
Pre-Programme Preparation:
To maximize your laboratory experience, you will be assigned to a specific research group based on your interests and academic background before the programme begins. Your assigned laboratory professor will provide you with preparatory materials and a research task to complete before your arrival in Japan. This homework assignment is designed to:
・Introduce you to the research area and current projects in your assigned laboratory
・Familiarise you with key concepts and terminology you’ll encounter
・Help you prepare thoughtful questions for your research supervisors
・Enable you to contribute meaningfully from your first day in the laboratory
This preparation ensures that you can make the most of your limited time in the laboratory and engage with the research at a deeper level.
Hands-On Research (Days 3-6)
Over four intensive afternoons, you will:
・Work alongside researchers: Collaborate with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members on active research projects
・Use cutting-edge equipment: Gain hands-on experience with advanced research instruments and technologies, including access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the NanoTerasu next-generation synchrotron radiation facility (depending on your research area)
・Conduct experiments: Participate in real experiments, collect data, and analyze results under expert guidance
・Develop research skills: Learn essential laboratory techniques, data analysis methods, and scientific documentation practices
・Explore your field: Discover what university-level research truly involves and whether a research career might be right for you
Research Areas Available
Participants will be placed in laboratories spanning a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to:
Engineering
Agriculture / Agricultural Science
Biomedical Engineering / Medical Engineering Note: Laboratory placements will be assigned based on your stated interests, academic background, and laboratory availability. While we will do our best to match you with your preferred area, final placements are subject to confirmation by the research groups.
Final Research Presentation (Day 7)
Your laboratory experience culminates on Day 7 with a formal research presentation session. You will prepare and deliver a presentation summarising:.
・The research question or problem you investigated
・The methods and approaches you used
・Your findings and observations・Potential implications and future directions
This presentation will be delivered to your peers, programme staff, laboratory supervisors, and other faculty members at Tohoku University. It’s an invaluable opportunity to develop your academic presentation skills and receive feedback from experienced researchers. You will also have the chance to learn from your fellow participants’ research experiences across different disciplines.
All presentations will be conducted in English, and presentation guidelines and templates will be provided during the programme to support your preparation.
Programme outline
UK-Japan Youth Challenge 2026
On campus short school programme in Japan
Dates: Saturday 24th October – Sunday 1st November 2026 (9 days)
* We reserve the right to change or modify any of the programme details, at any time and in our sole discretion.
Participants receive a detailed itinerary prior to the programme.
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation:
Participants will be accommodated in hotel in Sendai throughout the research portion of the programme, and in Tokyo during the cultural exchange day.
Meals:
All meals are included in the programme fee, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided daily. Dietary requirements and preferences will be accommodated where possible.
We are unable to offer any alternative accommodation arrangements.
The programme fee
£3,000
Covers:
・Airport transfers in Japan
・All accommodation throughout the programme
・All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
・Laboratory research experience at Tohoku University
・Language classes and educational sessions
・Cultural exchange activities in Tokyo
・Programme materials and certification
Travel insurance
・24/7 support from programme staff
Not included:
・Return flights from London Heathrow to Tokyo Haneda
・Travel to/from London Heathrow Airport
・Personal expenses and souvenirs
・Optional activities outside the programme schedule
The UK-Japan Youth Challenge summer school programme is organised by the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee.
Chair: Prof Shin-ichi Ohnuma, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
Committee Members (in alphabetical order by first name):
Dr Anawat Suppasri, Arisa Shimada, Ayato Yamazaki, Prof Daisuke Kawata, Emiko Asagoshi, Prof Hidekazu Kurebayashi, Hideyuki Miyahara, Kaito Mizukoshi, Kentaro Kimura, Kyokuyo Takemoto, Makoto Yoshida, Manaka Abe, Dr Masako Shimato, Masao Asai, Dr Masashi Matsunaga, Dr Masazumi Tada, Dr Miwako Kitamura, Dr Moe Kishima, Moeno Sugiyama, Momo Sakai, Nanako Takaba, Dr Nozomi Sakata, Risa Hanai, Seitaro Taketani, Sumire Kaimori, Wataru Tage, Dr Yasu Takeuchi, Dr Yoshiyuki Yamamoto, Yu Hosomi, Yuta Nagano
The UCL-Japan Youth Challenge Committee are most grateful for our partners, collaborators, sponsors and supporters.
We would be unable to hold the UCL-Japan Youth Challenge summer school programme without their generous commitment.
In partnership with the Japan Foundation, Tohoku University & UK Japan Institute
