NYK Line has opened the “Vessel Training Center” establishment at KidZania Fukuoka, giving children an immersive, hands-on introduction to the work of ship navigation officers through ship‑handling simulations. Since its debut in July 2025, the establishment has quickly become one of KidZania Fukuoka’s popular attractions.

Why did NYK decide to exhibit at KidZania Fukuoka?


Behind this initiative lies a strong and heartfelt desire to spark interest in the sea and ships — and to inspire the next generation.

At a media briefing held in advance of the establishment’s opening, NYK Vice President Akira Kono delivered the following remarks.

“We are truly delighted to provide a place where children can nurture their dreams through this new establishment.

We hope children will experience what it is like to be a navigation officer by operating an LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier in a simulator — learning maritime traffic rules, ship handling basics, and the joy and sense of achievement that come from working together as a team.

Since our founding in 1885, NYK Line has supported people’s lives through the ocean. Maritime transport is not merely about carrying cargo; it plays a vital role in connecting people around the world. Through the Vessel Training Center, we hope children will take an interest in the sea and ships and begin to dream of becoming part of the maritime industry in the future.”

The NYK Vessel Training Center officially opened at KidZania Fukuoka on July 21, 2025. In his opening-day address, NYK Vice President Kono expressed the company’s passion for the project. At a media briefing held prior to the launch, he added that, given the opportunity, he would also like to see a hands‑on experience centered on the work of marine engineers, complementing the new establishment’s current focus on navigation officer.

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NYK Navigation Officers Talk About the Realism of KidZania Fukuoka’s Ship-Handling Simulator

“It happened when I visited KidZania Tokyo in Tokyo with my four‑year‑old daughter,” recalls Yuichi Suzuki of NYK Line’s Sustainability Management Group (then part of the Corporate Communications Group).

“After enjoying various job experiences, my daughter suddenly asked me, ‘There are establishments for working with airplanes, cars, and trains — but why isn’t there one for ships, like the kind your company has?’”

“Because NYK does not provide services directly to consumers, we may be an invisible presence — something like a behind‑the‑scenes supporter of society,” Suzuki reflects.
Further research revealed that “seafarer” did not even appear among the top 100 occupations children aspire to. Around the same time, NYK was also beginning to recognize the long‑term challenge of a potential shortage of maritime professionals.

That realization led the team to propose opening a establishment at KidZania Fukuoka, using an internal framework designed to support projects that address organizational challenges.

Although many within the company understood the idea, gaining management approval took time. “As a B2B company, it wasn’t immediately obvious why NYK should exhibit at KidZania,” explains Kaori Nagasawa of the Sustainability Initiative Team. “KidZania is often a child’s first point of contact with society. Without firsthand experience, it can be difficult to imagine how shipping or logistics are conveyed to children.”

The team carefully explained the educational value of the project to management, held repeated discussions with KidZania, studied examples from other companies, gathered feedback from children, and conducted interviews with employees.

Support gradually grew — especially when younger employees, both seafaring and shore‑based, expressed interest in bringing their own children to the establishment. This confirmed that the initiative would not only benefit society but also strengthen employee engagement.

Discussions were also held about incorporating the work of marine engineers. While it ultimately proved difficult to represent both navigation officers and engineers within a single establishment, surveying nearly all NYK marine engineers and carefully reviewing their ideas helped the team reach a shared sense of conviction and focus on delivering the best possible experience.

As management members later observed children enthusiastically participating in the simulations, they became the project’s strongest supporters. This led to final approval and a commitment to rally cooperation across the entire NYK Group.

NYK’s business is large in scale, but primarily business‑to‑business. How could the company make maritime work engaging for the children who are the main participants at KidZania?

“The first question we asked was which aspects of shipping could capture children’s interest,” says Kazuma Sugihara, general manager of the Content Department in the Business Development Division of the KCJ GROUP, which operates KidZania in Japan.
Through repeated discussions, NYK and KidZania concluded that the “work of navigation officers” was the ideal focus. The goal was clear: recreate a navigation officer’s job through a ship‑handling simulator — and then work step by step to make it a reality.

The work of navigation officers relies heavily on teamwork and communication — acknowledging the captain’s instructions, reporting completed operations, and using specialized terms such as “port” and “starboard.” While these professional elements add realism and excitement, they also risk raising the difficulty level for children.

To overcome this, the KidZania team first studied maritime terminology, equipment functions, and the roles and movements of navigators on a bridge. They also examined professional-grade ship simulators that NYK navigators actually use for training.

A Zupervisor＊, acting as the ship’s captain (left), supports children during the simulation. Zupervisors acting as captains play an essential role. Each simulation combines dialogue‑based role‑playing among three children with operational controls. Zupervisors carefully guide the timing of instructions and actions, ensuring smooth coordination and safety during the “voyage.”
＊At KidZania, “supervisor” is written as “Zupervisor.”

Because NYK supervised the Vessel Training Center, authenticity was non‑negotiable. The simulator incorporates professional‑level specifications used in real navigator training and features actual equipment, including onboard microphones, steering wheels, engine telegraphs, and compasses. The uniforms are faithfully reproduced as well, differing only in size.

“Full ahead engine, Captain!”
“Starboard ten, Captain!”
“Sounding the whistle!”

Guided by the Zupervisor, three children work together to operate a 300‑meter‑long LNG carrier displayed on the screen. Dressed in uniforms and caps, they may be small — but in that moment, they are true navigation officer.

After completing the approximately 30‑minute activity, children shared their excitement:

“I learned how important communication is when coordinating with other ships.”
“It was fun dividing roles and working together to operate the vessel.”
“I want to learn more about other jobs on ships besides navigation officers and captains.”

As Japan faces a declining population and a growing labor shortage, the maritime industry is no exception. If even one child who experienced the Vessel Training Center someday says, “I joined NYK,” that would be a tremendous joy. Even if not, by helping nurture children’s dreams and curiosity, NYK hopes to contribute — however modestly — to the growth of Japan’s next generation.

For adults, every day is routine. For children, it is something extraordinary. And because the work of ships is still largely unknown, it holds the power to inspire curiosity in both.

A call to future navigators!