{"id":177496,"date":"2026-05-12T17:57:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T08:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?post_type=event&#038;p=177496&#038;lang=en"},"modified":"2026-05-12T21:15:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T12:15:06","slug":"kyushu-roundtable-4-more-tourists-better-kyushu","status":"publish","type":"event","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/event\/kyushu-roundtable-4-more-tourists-better-kyushu\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyushu Roundtable #4: More Tourists, Better Kyushu?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><br><strong>A live Fukuoka Now current affairs conversation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This month\u2019s featured discussion asks: <strong>More Tourists, Better Kyushu? <\/strong>Can tourism help revitalize regional Kyushu and create long-term value\u2014or does growth risk putting pressure on communities, infrastructure, and local identity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/krt-4-image-small.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/krt-4-image-small.jpg?resize=960%2C540&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-177499\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/krt-4-image-small.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/krt-4-image-small.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/krt-4-image-small.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Event Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Date:<\/strong> May 29, 2026<br><strong>Time:<\/strong> 18:30\u201320:00 (doors open 18:00)<br><strong>Location: <\/strong>CIC Fukuoka, Tenjin<br><strong>Language:<\/strong> English<br><strong>Admission: <\/strong>Free (registration required)<br><strong>Format: <\/strong>In-person only<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/rLbNc9hiJvC6QW149\">Register now<\/a>:<\/strong> Seating is limited to 45 participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How the Roundtable Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Part 1 &#8211; Kyushu News Flash<\/strong><br>A quick roundup of recent news shaping the region, with short reactions from the panel followed by audience perspectives<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Part 2 &#8211; The Main Story<\/strong><br>Guest commentators explore the evening\u2019s central theme through moderated discussion, followed by audience questions and input<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Part 3 &#8211; Voices from the Room<\/strong><br>Audience members raise their own questions, observations, or issues for discussion, with responses from the panel and others in the room.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Part 4 &#8211; After the Roundtable<\/strong><br>Optional, but recommended. For those who want to continue the conversation, we\u2019ll gather after the event at a casual food and drink spot in the same building.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Guest Commentators<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stephen Lyman, PhD<\/strong><br>Kyushu University School of Medicine &amp; Cornell Medical College; scientist, educator, author, filmmaker<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Kirk Patterson<\/strong><\/strong><br>Konpira Yacht Services; former Dean, Temple University Japan<br><br><strong>Moderated by<\/strong> Nick Szasz<br>Publisher &amp; Editor-in-Chief, Fukuoka Now<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">This Month\u2019s Main Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>More Tourists, Better Kyushu? Rethinking Tourism, Growth, and Regional Revitalization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/fn_cycling-itoshima-coast_2025_cl-9315.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/fn_cycling-itoshima-coast_2025_cl-9315.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-171532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/fn_cycling-itoshima-coast_2025_cl-9315.jpg?resize=1024%2C768&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/fn_cycling-itoshima-coast_2025_cl-9315.jpg?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/fn_cycling-itoshima-coast_2025_cl-9315.jpg?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/fn_cycling-itoshima-coast_2025_cl-9315.jpg?w=1400&amp;ssl=1 1400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who Should Attend<\/strong><br>The Roundtable works best when participants are comfortable contributing to a thoughtful English-language discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>International professionals living or working in Kyushu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Residents interested in the region\u2019s economic and social future<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People who want to understand local issues beyond headlines<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anyone who values informed and respectful conversation<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Previous Roundtables<\/strong><br>On February 20, 33 residents representing 18 nationalities joined the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/fukuoka-now-forum-international-voices-local-stakes\/\">first<\/a> Kyushu Roundtable at CIC Fukuoka. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/kyushu-roundtable-02-fukuoka-global-talent\/\">second<\/a> Roundtable in March grew to 45 participants from 21 nationalities, while the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/fukuoka-has-the-deal-changed\/\">third session<\/a> on April 24 again filled the room with 45 participants representing 17 nationalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Register<\/strong><br>Seating is limited to 45 participants. Advance registration is required. <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/rLbNc9hiJvC6QW149\">Register here!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the video archive from Kyushu Roundtable #3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Kyushu Roundtable #3: Fukuoka: Has the Deal Changed? (Full Session)\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/V0QxpeBg4CQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":177499,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[5236],"class_list":["post-177496","event","type-event","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-roundtable","en-US"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event\/177496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/event"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177496"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177499"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}