A live Fukuoka Now current affairs conversation
Join Fukuoka Now for the fourth Kyushu Roundtable, an in-person discussion forum bringing international residents together to explore the issues shaping Fukuoka and the wider Kyushu region.
The previous Roundtable brought together residents from 17 nationalities for a lively and thoughtful exchange. On May 29, we continue the series with another evening of Kyushu news, moderated discussion, audience participation, and conversation shaped by the people in the room.
This month’s featured discussion asks: More Tourists, Better Kyushu? Can tourism help revitalize regional Kyushu and create long-term value—or does growth risk putting pressure on communities, infrastructure, and local identity?
If you live or work in Fukuoka, this is a chance to hear how others are experiencing the same changes, and to share your own perspective.
Event Details
Date: May 29, 2026
Time: 18:30–20:00 (doors open 18:00)
Location: CIC Fukuoka, Tenjin
Language: English
Admission: Free (registration required)
Format: In-person only
Register now: Seating is limited to 45 participants.
How the Roundtable Works
Each Kyushu Roundtable follows a simple structure designed to move from context to discussion and audience participation. The Roundtable is not a lecture, but a shared conversation.
- Part 1 – Kyushu News Flash
A quick roundup of recent news shaping the region, with short reactions from the panel followed by audience perspectives - Part 2 – The Main Story
Guest commentators explore the evening’s central theme through moderated discussion, followed by audience questions and input - Part 3 – Voices from the Room
Audience members 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 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.
Guest Commentators
Stephen Lyman, PhD
Kyushu University School of Medicine & Cornell Medical College; scientist, educator, author, filmmaker
Kirk Patterson
Konpira Yacht Services; former Dean, Temple University Japan
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
More Tourists, Better Kyushu? Rethinking Tourism, Growth, and Regional Revitalization
Tourism is booming across Kyushu. Visitor numbers are rising, new hotels are opening, and local governments increasingly see tourism as a key part of regional growth. But what kind of tourism actually creates long-term value? Can tourism help revitalize regional Kyushu, or does it risk putting pressure on local communities, infrastructure, and identity? As tourism expands, who benefits most, and who pays the price?
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 values informed and respectful conversation
Previous Roundtables
On February 20, 33 residents representing 18 nationalities joined the first Kyushu Roundtable at CIC Fukuoka. The second Roundtable in March grew to 45 participants from 21 nationalities, while the third session on April 24 again filled the room with 45 participants representing 17 nationalities.
Register
Seating is limited to 45 participants. Advance registration is required. Register here!
Watch the video archive from Kyushu Roundtable #3