Japan-Palau Alumni Series: Vol.30- Mr. Ubai Robert Sengebau Kingzio

Mr. Ubai Robert Sengebau Kingzio is an alumnus of the APIC – Sophia Xavier Scholarship. He studied at Sophia University under the faculty of Liberal Arts and graduated in March of 2025 with his Bachelor’s in International Business and Economics.
 
Mr. Ubai is the proud son of Maireng Sengebau and Kenneth Kingzio. He is currently employed at the Ministry of Finance under the Bureau of Budget and Planning as a Financial Specialist. In his role, he assists with national budget allocation and, at times, debt management. Although his family lineage branches into many states across Palau, including Peleliu and Ngchesar, Mr. Ubai proudly identifies himself as being from Melekeok State, a place that is special to him.
 
He completed his secondary education at Xavier High School in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, where he excelled academically and graduated as the salutatorian of his class. His academic performance earned him the prestigious APIC – Sophia Xavier Scholarship, which allowed him to attend Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. The scholarship only accepts one Xavier student, each year for this scholarship. Mr. Ubai was chosen because of his academic excellence and dedication.
 
Another strong influence in Mr. Ubai’s decision to study in Japan was his grandmother, Ms. Humiko Kingzio, a second-generation Palauan Japanese whose father was from Okinawa. She encouraged Mr. Ubai to pursue his studies in Japan not only for the new educational opportunity but also to reconnect with his family roots and potentially visit relatives in Okinawa. Mr. Ubai laughs when recalling his grandmother’s persistence, acknowledging that her encouragement played a meaningful role in shaping his academic journey.
 
Mr. Ubai explains that it wasn’t all smooth sailing after he was accepted into Sophia University. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he took online classes in 2019 for one year, an experience he found difficult, with the method of learning not allowing him to really connect with his peers and teachers. As a result, he decided to take a semester leave before returning to his studies in 2022. He ultimately spent three years in Japan and successfully graduated from Sophia University in March 2025.
 
Reflecting on his experience in Japan, Mr. Ubai recalls being overwhelmed at first by the fast-paced lifestyle. Coming from Palau, where life is defined by slow living, adjusting to Tokyo was a shock. He lived in Setagaya and commuted daily on the Chuo line to Sophia University’s Yotsuya Campus. Transferring at Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest stations in the world, was especially overwhelming at first. However, as he became accustomed to the routine, the commute became second nature.
 
During his time at Sophia University, Mr. Ubai joined the basketball team, an experience that became an irreplaceable part of his university life. Much of his time was spent training and traveling with his teammates. They attended basketball games in Saitama, participated in a spring training camp in Akita, and traveled annually to Nagoya for games and sightseeing. He also took part in an APIC cultural exchange trip to Tamba-Sasayama in Hyogo Prefecture, where he learned traditional practices such as subsistence farming and living off the land.
 
For our last question we asked him what he thought about the diplomatic relations with Japan and Palau, and he said that, “with the start of the direct flights it’s an opportunity for more cultural exchange and collaborative business opportunities for Japanese and Palauans.” He also mentioned that many of his friends are already planning to visit using these new routes, and he expressed hope that even more people from both countries will take advantage of them in the future.