JICA は SDGs 貢献を経営戦略に反映させ長野県諏訪市に本社を置くセイコーエプソン㈱（以下、
「エプソン」）と包括連携協定を締結しています。
地域理解プログラム ｜ 事業について - JICA
この協定に基づき、長期研修員（JICA 留学生）向けに実施しているエプソン連携の地域理解プログラムも３回目となり、より充実した内容で連携に寄与した結果となりました。

この地域理解プログラムを一言でお伝えするとしたら、まさに、温故知新「故（ふる）きを温（たず）ねて新しきを知る」でしょうか。
2025 年 1 月 15 日午後、東京センターで対面実施のプログラムオリエンテーションを設け JICA とエプソンとの連携協定の内容、エプソンが諏訪で創業するに至る諏訪地域の歴史をしっかり学び、翌日のエプソン講義への導入とし、また参加者間の関係構築を図りました。
翌 1 月 16 日、東京から諏訪へ移動し、エプソンにて講義を受講。同社がこれまでどのように発展し現在のグローバル企業となったのか、その地域に根差した発展の経緯を講義・視察を通して学びました。また同社の今後の戦略についても参加者の関心が高く、事前学習の効果もあり、講義終了後も多数の質問が繰り返されました。
午後に参加研修員主導で実施したエプソン社員との交流会では、日本の技術をどのように自国に繋げるかの議論が活発に展開され、翌日のワークショップへも繋がる内容となりました。
17 日（金）は諏訪湖畔から富士山を眺めフォッサマグナを実感し、諏訪大社（秋宮）で御柱にまつわる地域住民のコミュニティ形成の仕組みを理解しました。その後茅野市尖石縄文考古館にて土鈴作り体験を行い、古代のものづくりに思いを馳せながら、参加者は童心に返ってひと時を楽しみました。
午後エプソン豊科事業所でプロジェクターのショールームを見学し、続くワークショップでは、ビジュアルプロダクツ事業部の海外事業展開およびアフリカ地域の教育課題解決に向けた同社のポータブルプロジェクター活用にかかる取り組み事例と現在の事業進捗が共有され、参加者は、同事業のアプローチ方法に自身の研究のヒントを見出したり、エプソンの同事業に自身がどう関われるかを考える機会ともなりました。エプソンからも、参加者のコメントは同社の事業展開の上でも有益であり、今後も参加研修員とのネットワークを継続していきたいと締めくくられ、プログラム終了後も自国と今後のエプソンとの連携についての質問が多くなされました。

エプソン社員との交流会で、素晴らしいファシリテーションを務めてくれたお二人から、本プログラム参加への感想が寄せられています。ここではガーナ出身のブライトさんの感想をご紹介します。
もう一人のイマンさんの感想については、下記のフェイスブックを参照ください。
https://www.facebook.com/jicatokyocenter/posts/pfbid02Gs4YJQJ1R5h6hx4CN7azL5pA3trM9eFy8LrFoxTCnZph9VoLjRee8s8CFAn2kmnZl

THE FUTURE IS IN THE PAST: The Journey to high-tech industry began
　　　　　　　　　　　 with assembling of watch parts —
　　　　　　　　　　　 THE SEIKO EPSON EXPERIENCE
It is indeed true that small beginnings should never be despised, and your location should not be an excuse not to blossom. This profound realization was reinforced during my study tour of the Seiko Epson Corporation in the Nagano Prefecture, Japan. The interplay of history, futuristic thinking, creativity, and commitment revealed itself as a powerful stimulant for solving societal challenges and fostering intentional, purposeful development that can last for generations.

Witnessing the Seiko Epson Legacy
As part of the JICA Development Studies Program (DSP), fifteen selected JICA scholars, including myself, had the privilege to undertake this transformative study tour in the Suwa area of Nagano Prefecture. This third tour in the series offered an inspiring view of Seiko Epson’s historical evolution, showcasing key developmental principles and the secrets to its success. I was glad to be given this opportunity as I desired to integrate into the Japanese society and culture and understand the philosophical dimensions of their development journey.
Seiko Epson started as Daiwa Kogyo Ltd. (the predecessor of Seiko Epson Corporation) in 1942 with a promise: “Never to pollute Lake Suwa.” This commitment to environmental harmony remains a core principle today, as the company has become a valued member of the Suwa community. Observing how this promise has shaped the company’s values and practices taught me that, promises for societal benefit should transcend words and intentions; they must manifest in tangible, lived realities.
Shifting from watchmaking, Seiko Epson’s purposeful targeting of societal needs was exemplified by its production of accurate timing gadgets for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The company’s evolution demonstrates the power of resilience, adaptability, and diversification to meet societal and customer needs. This approach has not only propelled Epson to global success but also positioned it as a significant contributor to globalization.

Cultural Heritage as a Foundation for Innovation
The company’s journey from watchmaking production to high-tech innovation is a remarkable testament to the transformative power of cultural heritage. Beginning with the production of its first wristwatch for ladies in 1946, Seiko Epson soon achieved global recognition by producing the world’s first quartz wristwatch in 1969. Building upon the foundational legacy of meticulous craftsmanship later gave birth to the world’s first digital electric mini-printer, the EP-101, in 1968. The name Epson, meaning “Electric Printer and Son,” consequently originated from the EP-101 and symbolizes how the company’s humble beginnings in watchmaking production and watchmaking evolved into a diversified portfolio of cutting-edge products, including printers, projectors, robots, copiers, and recycling technologies.
This transition underscores how deeply rooted cultural and historical understanding can catalyse innovation. By transferring the precision of watchmaking and then to technological advancements, Seiko Epson has demonstrated that heritage can be a powerful driver of growth and progress.

Collaboration with JICA: A Model for Co-Creation
JICA’s collaboration with Seiko Epson has been a profound blessing for me as a JICA research scholar. The partnership is built on four pillars: promoting natural capital, infrastructural capital, cultural capital, and human capital. This collaboration echoes the visionary partnership of Seiko Epson’s founder, Hisao Yamazaki, and the then mayor of Suwa, Ihe Miyasaka, who jointly invited and worked hard to attract companies to establish in Suwa during the 1940s.
Similarly, I believe JICA scholars can play a pivotal role in inviting Japanese companies to establish partnerships in Africa. JICA and Seiko Epson have already provided the platform, and it is inspiring to learn that JICA scholars are helping Seiko Epson and the Japanese people better understand Africa in order to co-create meaningful development initiatives. For my part, I am motivated to develop sustainable solutions to enrich communities in my home country, Ghana, through quality education and environmental impact improvements.

Actions for Transformation in Ghana and Africa
Reflecting on this experience, I am convinced that a well-educated population in Ghana and Africa is the greatest asset for industrialization and business development. I have also come to appreciate that the true value of technology lies in its ability to serve people. Inspired by these insights, I intend to pursue the following actions and projects for Ghana and other African countries:

• Leverage EPSON’s Proof of Concept (PoC) report in Senegal to provide audio-visual communication classroom facilities for schools.
• Introduce robotics in schools using Seiko Epson’s advanced robotics technology.
• Establish high school training exchange programs between Ghanaian schools and Epson’s vocational training school.
• Explore curriculum digitization to modernize educational content delivery.
• Implement sustainable waste management systems utilizing Epson’s paper, plastics, and metal recycling technologies.

Personal Reflections and A Call to Action
As someone who has used Seiko watches, Epson printers, and photocopiers, and perhaps other products whose origins I hadn’t realized before embarking on this study tour, it was aprofound moment to witness firsthand how these innovations came to life. This experience has left me eager to collaborate with Seiko Epson, JICA, and other Japanese companies to promote development in my country and across Africa.
With this knowledge and inspiration, I am determined to drive change in Ghana by fostering education, preserving cultural heritage, and leveraging technology for sustainable development. As a first step, I would like to engage education authorities in Ghana to consider a government policy that will utilize partnerships to distribute EPSON’s special projector for school classrooms to all schools in Ghana. This product is Africa-focused and can help bridge the rural urban gap in access to technologies in education, especially as it can work without direct electricity, and will not need a computer to show or project digital content for students in classrooms. I believe that adapting the principles of transformation through resilience, adaptability, and diversity will guarantee a remarkable success that will transcend generations. The future, indeed, lies in the past.
Thank you, JICA. Thank you, Seiko Epson.
By Bright K. DEY, Sophia University,

報告者名 長期研修課
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