Learning Beyond Language

RISE was selected as a case study by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for its Internationalization Promotion Internship Program.

With the goal of becoming a truly global company, and to contribute in a tangible way to the achievement of the SDGs by 2030, we are actively engaged in education and technical guidance initiatives focused on transferring seismic design expertise to developing, earthquake-prone countries.

As a first step toward expanded international engagement, we welcomed an intern from Myanmar through the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s Global Internship Program (https://internshipprogram.go.jp/english/). Myanmar, like Japan, faces frequent seismic activity. By sharing perspectives and learning from one another, we deepened our understanding of challenges unique to high-seismic regions, broadened our technical outlook, and strengthened cross-cultural awareness within the company.

Building Bridges, Not Walls

(Our employees and the intern)

Overseas internships often come with concerns about language barriers. To address this head-on, English-speaking employees were assigned as mentors. By ensuring there was always someone the intern could turn to, we created a clear support structure and a sense of belonging.

Internship Curriculum

The program began with training in the fundamentals of structural design. During the internship period, the intern gained hands-on experience across three different teams, including structural design and piping design, acquiring broad and practical technical knowledge.

This was followed by verification of an in-house development program, a final presentation of outcomes, and a technical tour of NIED (National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience). Through this structure, we delivered a multi-layered learning experience that integrated theory, practice, and real-world exposure.

(Mid-term follow-up)

(Final presentation)

NIED (National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience) Tour

(On-site visit)

As the internship drew to a close, the NIED tour took place under clear skies.

NIED is a national research and development agency specializing in disaster prevention science and technology.

Following briefings on state-of-the-art earthquake disaster research, participants experienced the earthquake simulation facility. Based on data from past major earthquakes, the system accurately reproduced seismic motion, allowing participants to physically experience realistic ground shaking.

For interns who typically engage with numerical values and analytical results in an office setting, this provided a rare and powerful opportunity to directly feel the real-world forces behind seismic analysis.

(Earthquake simulation experience)

Through this experience, we reaffirmed the importance of design standards and the core mission of structural engineers: protecting human life and safety. For the interns, the tour offered firsthand exposure to Japan’s disaster-prevention technologies, strengthening their confidence in their learning and reinforcing their motivation to advance seismic resilience in developing countries.

(On-site visit)

(Our employees and the intern)

Cross-Cultural Exchange Session

(Dialogue leading to new perspectives and insights)

As part of the internship program, we also held a cross-cultural exchange session involving Japanese employees, international staff, and interns.

Participants were often surprised by cultural differences and came to realize that values assumed to be universal are not always shared. This dialogue deepened mutual understanding and enabled participants to gain more diverse and balanced perspectives.

Outcomes and Future Outlook


Through the exchange of seismic design expertise with the intern, awareness of the SDGs and international collaboration increased across the organization. The program also served as a valuable opportunity to build an internal team framework for future global initiatives. Moreover, this experience has become a strong catalyst for the planned launch of our Overseas Talent Utilization Plan 2026.

We will continue to value these international connections, sharing knowledge and expertise as we contribute to a safer and more sustainable world.