*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.

Accepting diversity, being considerate of others, and understanding each other is considered to be of utmost importance for society’s future.
Among such trends, well-being based on altruistic human connection, which Japanese people have valued since ancient times, may play an important role.
In this program, together with experts, we will discuss how to incorporate personal well-being aimed at improving one's lifestyle and collective well-being obtained through human interaction into society.
To improve collective well-being and accept diversity, it is also necessary to promote diversity and inclusion (DEI). We will reflect on health and well-being from gender, global, and DEI perspectives and communicate it to the world.

【Reflection】
We held three theme sessions, moderated by Mitsuyo Kusano, under the overarching theme of "Collective experience enhances our sense of happiness." The first session featured a video presentation on collective well-being by Yoshiki Ishikawa. Ishikawa emphasized that non-verbal communication (e.g., eating, exercising, singing, dancing, or holding festivals) nurtures organizational and collective ties. With speakers Rosa Kato and Keiko Ikeda of Kansai University, Ishikawa shared perspectives regarding how non-verbal communication creates a sense of unity and therefore collective happiness. In the second session themed "Collective experience deepens organizational and collective ties," four foreign students in Japan presented their experiences of feeling accepted in groups of people with different cultural backgrounds. They talked about topics such as "being accepted as a person," "a sense of unity and complementarity in group work," "approaching others or being approached," and "getting used to a language and being able to hold a conversation." The students shared opinions with each other, agreeing that collective experience deepens organizational and collective ties. In the final session, the speakers affirmed that a special collective experience like Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan provides a good example of how the non-verbal aspects of a festival can nurture collective well-being, and that collective participation enhances the shared sense of happiness. They also talked about the importance of being considerate of individuals who feel uncomfortable with such collective actions, discussing both the benefits (i.e., a sense of happiness) and risks of collective experience. In doing so, they delivered a message about how collective experience nurtures a sense of belonging and happiness as part of collective well-being.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
When developing this program for the sessions, we found it necessary to define a global theme. As diversity, consideration of others, and mutual understanding are currently highlighted as important factors for future society, the program theme considered how we can incorporate collective well-being, which can be obtained by human-to-human connection as important well-being based on Japan's long-valued altruistic mindset, into society, alongside personal well-being to improve one's life. As more than half of the world population is said to be up to the age of 30, we included four foreign students in Japan among the session speakers. This was made possible through the assistance of Keiko Ikeda of Kansai University, who was also a speaker. Furthermore, we invited students to be part of the audience, with the aim of nurturing their awareness and behavior in future actions through the collective experience of attending the sessions. We also provided workers with the opportunity to view the sessions for the same purpose. Below are some of the comments from the audience (students and workers) shared in the post-session survey:
・ I learned this word for the first time today. I'll remember it as a keyword for the future.
・ I want to spend more time with others to increase collective well-being around me.
・ As an exchange student, it was a valuable experience to learn about this theme from Japanese perspectives.
・ It was a valuable experience to hear the real voices of (foreign) students.
・ I want to give my company a suggestion about the well-being gained from spending time together.
・ A global event like the Expo is an effective way to share the concept of well-being.
・ As a person working in human resources, I want to provide better small group experiences to enhance collective well-being.
・ I learned that well-being is about considering fulfillment from life and work, instead of lifestyle, and better conditions for all and not only for yourself, to live better.
Moreover, we encouraged the audience (students and workers) to communicate the Association's official page (which features the program details) together with their opinions. These sessions in the “Theme Weeks“ program at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan strengthened understandings of collective well-being and inspired positive future actions to promote it through collective experience. We believe this will become a legacy.