ARI Logo

ARI’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is only 10 days away!Crowdfunding projects in Japan and abroad are underway!

ARI will hold its 50th anniversary ceremony on Saturday, September 16. The ceremony will be streamed live online. Many commemorative projects and collaborations will be held on and off campus accordingly, including domestic and international crowdfunding projects.

Since our founding in 1973, 1,399 rural leaders from 62 countries have participated in this leadership training. Taking what they learn from Nasushiobara city and giving back to their communities across the world.

Together with our supporters, we have overcome various difficulties to reach our 50th anniversary.
We express our deepest gratitude to all individuals and organizations who have continued to believe in our mission. We hope that you will continue to keep our efforts in your thoughts. Our efforts to nurture dedicated leaders with the skills and wisdom needed to create peace from the soil of rural communities which then spreads out into the world.

To also connect and celebrate with our broad ARI community – graduates active in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific, and those who have supported us in various ways, the 50th anniversary ceremony will be streamed live online.

Online Streaming
Date: Saturday, September 16, 12:45 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
URL: ARI’s 50th anniversary website https://ari.ac.jp/50th-anniv
↑Renewed! Cute illustrated community members are waiting for you!
Program Contents:
13:00-13:45 50th Anniversary Worship Service
Sermon: Pastor Robert Witmer (Former Director of Theological Seminary of Rural Mission, Missionary sent by the United Church of Canada)
14:00-15:45 50th Anniversary Ceremony
Keynote Speech: Mr. Ardhendu Chatterjee (India, 1976 ARI graduate, Founder, Development Research and Communication Center (DRCSC)), Tomoko Arakawa (Director, ARI)

Crowdfunding Projects
In addition, crowdfunding projects will be launched on September 16 to commemorate the 50th anniversary both domestically and internationally.

In Japan, the crowdfunding platform ReadyFor will be raising funds to create a richer educational environment for students, and overseas, the American crowdfunding platform GlobalGiving will be raising funds for travel expenses for students from developing countries.

Blog Archive
News Archive
Event Archive
Facebook Instagram Youtube Linkedin

Men's Dormitory & Guest House

Participants and volunteers live in separate dormitories for men and women. The dormitory includes shared lounges, kitchens, showers, and laundry facilities. Wi-Fi is not available.

Poultry House

The poultry facilities include free-range chicken coops and a brooding house. More than 400 chickens are raised, producing over 80,000 eggs and approximately one ton of chicken meat each year.

Pig Pen

Participants learn a variety of pig farming techniques through hands-on practice. Both deep-litter and concrete-floor systems are used, and manure is recycled into biogas and fertilizer.

Goat House

Goat milk (over 200 liters annually) and meat are used for food, while manure is used as fertilizer. During the day, the goats roam freely in the pasture.

Forest

The forests surrounding the campus are managed through selective thinning for firewood and charcoal production. Leaves and other organic materials are collected for use in agriculture.

Fields

On 2.5 hectares of farmland, approximately 100 varieties of vegetables and crops are grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. The entire community helps manage the fields as part of its commitment to learning and self-sufficiency.

Rice Paddies

Rice is cultivated in paddies both on and off campus. Various organic rice-growing methods are studied and practiced, including weed control and fertilization using ducks.

Workshop

The workshop is a space for repair and recycling activities. It contains machinery, welding equipment, woodworking tools, and a variety of materials.

Feed Mixing Room

Livestock feed is produced here using both manual and mechanical methods. Continuous efforts are made to improve feed quality and sustainability.

Administration Building

The first floor houses the reception area and administrative offices, while the second floor contains staff offices and the Director’s office. The Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room) is located adjacent to the building.

ARI Shop

The shop offers ARI-grown produce, processed foods, books, and handicrafts from the home countries of ARI graduates.

Farm Shop (Agricultural Training Room)

The facility serves as the hub of agricultural activities at ARI. It includes classrooms, storage for tools and farming materials, and facilities for drying and storing crops.

Oikos Chapel

Originally a 100-year-old traditional farmhouse, the chapel has been renovated into a place of worship. Daily morning gatherings are held here, along with meditation, dialogue sessions, gospel choir practice, and other community activities. Oikos is a Greek word meaning “home.”

Manna House (Food Processing Room)

This facility is used for producing and storing processed foods such as cookies and jam. The ground floor also contains a poultry processing facility.

Fish Ponds

Fish are raised for both food and agricultural purposes.

クリスマス・ウィンターキャンペーン 2025
Christmas and Winter Donation Campaign

Support
支援する