A live Fukuoka Now current affairs conversation
Join Fukuoka Now for the second Kyushu Roundtable, an in-person discussion forum that brings international residents together to explore the issues shaping Fukuoka and the wider Kyushu region.
The first Roundtable in February brought together residents from 18 different nationalities for a lively and thoughtful exchange. On March 27, we continue the series with a new evening of Kyushu news, moderated discussion, and audience participation.
This month’s featured discussion asks whether Kyushu can compete for domestic and global talent, and what it will take to persuade people to stay.
Event Details
Date: March 27, 2026
Time: 18:30–20:00 (doors open 18:00)
Location: CIC Fukuoka, Tenjin
Language: English
Admission: Free (registration required)
Format: In-person only (no livestream)
Register now: Seating is limited to 45 participants.
Register here
Watch Highlights from the First Roundtable
How the Roundtable Works
Each Kyushu Roundtable follows a simple four-part structure designed to move from context to discussion and audience participation.
Part 1 – Kyushu News Flash
A quick roundup of recent news stories shaping the region. We’ll highlight a handful of local developments, with short reactions and context from the panel, followed by comments and perspectives from the audience.
Part 2 – The Main Story
Guest commentators explore the evening’s central theme through moderated discussion, before opening it up to questions and perspectives from the audience.
Part 3 – Voices from the Room
In the final part of the evening, audience members are invited to raise their own questions, observations, or issues for discussion, with responses from the panel and others in the room.
Part 4 – After the Roundtable
Optional, but highly recommended. For those who want to continue the conversation, we’ll gather after the event at a casual food and drink spot in the same building
The Roundtable is not a lecture or formal panel, but a shared conversation about Kyushu.
Guest Commentators
Kirk Patterson
President, Konpira Yacht Services
Former Dean, Temple University Japan
Leonie Habraken
Business Innovator at Kyuden International
Moderated by
Nick Szasz
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief, Fukuoka Now
Commentators will open the discussion with brief perspectives, but the Roundtable is built around active audience participation. Questions and perspectives from the room help shape the conversation throughout the evening.
This Month’s Main Story
Talent Wars: Can Kyushu Compete for Global Talent?
Across Japan, labor shortages and demographic change are forcing cities to compete for international professionals, entrepreneurs, and researchers. Kyushu is no exception. While the region is becoming more international, many global residents eventually move elsewhere.
Why does that happen? What would make Kyushu a place where international talent chooses to build a long-term career and life? This session explores those questions through professional perspectives and lived experience from people working directly in Kyushu’s international business environment.
Who Should Attend
The Roundtable works best when participants are comfortable contributing to a thoughtful English-language discussion.
- International professionals living or working in Kyushu
- Residents interested in the region’s economic and social future
- People who want to understand local issues beyond headlines
- Anyone who enjoys informed and respectful conversation
From the First Roundtable
On February 20 at CIC Fukuoka, 33 residents representing 18 nationalities gathered for the first Kyushu Roundtable. The format was intentionally simple. Short panel reactions were followed by open exchange. There were no slides and no speeches. News stories served only as starting points. The discussion quickly moved from headlines to deeper questions about tourism, housing, immigration, and the future of the region. Participants disagreed at times, sometimes firmly, but respectfully. Perspectives varied widely, reflecting different professions, nationalities, and lengths of residency.
Register
Seating is limited to 45 participants. Advance registration is required.