As someone who regularly passes through Shinjuku Station, I have grown up taking public transport for granted. Officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the busiest railway station in the world, Shinjuku handles millions of passengers each day. Living in Japan, where trains are not merely a transport option but a fundamental part of daily life, has shaped my understanding of sustainability from an early age.
This perspective makes my upcoming exchange programme in the United Kingdom particularly exciting. While travelling halfway around the world by air is undeniably not the most environmentally friendly activity, sustainability is not about pretending that environmental costs do not exist. Rather, it is about recognising those costs and making responsible choices wherever possible. Unfortunately, swimming to the UK was never a realistic option.
Because of this, I do not see my exchange programme as a one-way lesson in which Japan simply learns from Britain. Japan already demonstrates how extensive public transportation can reduce dependence on private vehicles and lower environmental impacts. At the same time, the United Kingdom has developed innovative approaches to climate policy, sustainable urban planning, and behavioural change. I view my time abroad as an opportunity to compare these different approaches and learn from both.
During my stay, I intend to minimise my environmental footprint by relying primarily on trains, buses, walking, and cycling. These choices align with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). However, my interest goes beyond choosing greener forms of transportation. As a politics student, I am fascinated by the question of how governments encourage citizens to make sustainable choices in the first place.
For example, I hope to observe how environmental policies influence everyday decisions, from commuting habits to recycling practices. Sustainability is often discussed through ambitious national targets, but its success is ultimately measured by ordinary actions taken by ordinary people. I want to understand how public policy, infrastructure, and social norms interact to make environmentally responsible behaviour easier and more attractive.
I am also eager to experience the UK’s culture of reuse and charity shops. Rather than purchasing everything new, I plan to make use of second-hand goods whenever practical. This supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) while also helping a student budget survive the temptations of a year abroad. If sustainability and affordability can work together, that seems like a win for everyone.
Ultimately, I hope this exchange programme will be more than an academic experience. By observing how another society approaches sustainability, adopting environmentally conscious habits, and comparing British and Japanese policies, I aim to bring valuable insights back to Japan. No country has perfected sustainability, but every country has something to teach. If I return home with new ideas, a broader perspective, and perhaps a lighter suitcase filled with fewer unnecessary purchases, I will consider my exchange programme a success.
