In April 2025, directorship of the Asian Rural Institute changed from Tomoko Arakawa to Osamu Arakawa. Osamu, formerly the Farm Manager and Education Director, assumed the role while Tomoko shifted into a Director of Development & Outreach role. As part of the transition, the two staff members spoke with Jack Lichten, Ecumenical Relations Coordinator, about the challenges and successes of leading ARI.
Jack: Tomoko, thank you for your ten years of service. What stands out the most from this past decade?
Tomoko: When I became director in 2015, the campus was being rebuilt after the earthquake, and we were working to restart our programs. Five years later, COVID-19 disrupted everything. It wasn’t just a financial challenge—the borders closed, and people couldn’t come. I never imagined such a situation! It wasn’t something I could handle alone, so I had to consult with everyone and find ways to move forward together. Even in such difficult times, I had to trust that this was the place and the opportunity that God had given us.
Jack: From an educational and agricultural perspective, how has ARI evolved?
Tomoko: The farm has become more integrated. It used to be divided into separate departments, but now everything is learned in a more holistic way. Recently, a graduate from Thailand told me that back in his time, he only learned food processing, but now students gain a much broader understanding.
Former Director: Tomoko Arakawa (~March 2025)
Tomoko Arakawa became director of ARI in 2015, during the final year of ARI’s 2011 Tohoku Earthquake reconstruction project. Under her leadership, ARI’s training program was renewed with enhanced facilities and an upgraded global vision. She is deeply grateful for the resilience and support that made sustained growth and overcoming challenges possible.
Jack: Osamu-san, in your work as the farm manager and assistant director, what do you think has been most successful over the past ten years?
Osamu: The integration of the farm has been significant. In addition, working closely with volunteers to observe, plan, and reflect on the farm’s operations has been valuable. This has improved mutual understanding among the farm staff as well.
Jack: What are your concerns about becoming the director?
Osamu: Previously, I was in direct contact with students and could listen to their concerns closely. As director, I won’t have the same opportunities for one-on-one interactions. I’m thinking about how to stay connected—not just with students, but also with volunteers and staff.
Jack: How can you apply your experience as a staff leader in your new role?
Osamu: The key is listening. When people, especially students, feel unwell or troubled, having someone to listen to them is essential.
Tomoko: What about accompanying students to the hospital? We often don’t have enough staff to handle it.
Osamu: That could be one approach—supporting them when they are most vulnerable. But not all cases end up in the hospital… (laughs).
Tomoko: Haha, true! But at ARI, there are plenty of opportunities to connect—like sharing meals and doing dishes together. Don’t worry.
When I first became director, I thought I needed to focus outward, traveling more to represent ARI. However, in 2016, while I was away on a business trip, there was an incident on campus, and we struggled due to the lack of a system for handling such situations. That made me realize that before focusing outward, I needed to strengthen our internal structure. Now that those foundations are in place, I hope to deepen ARI’s external relationships as a Managing Director moving forward.
New Director: Osamu Arakawa (From April 2025)
Osamu Arakawa has worked in Tanzania, Nepal, and East Timor with the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and the Japan Lay Missionary Movement. Since 2001, he has lived and farmed at ARI, drawing inspiration from the land and its rhythms. His work is rooted in a lifelong dedication to connecting with nature, people, and the essence of life.
Jack: Osamu, do you have a message for the staff?
Osamu: We are already doing this, but I want to further cultivate a culture of mutual appreciation. When we focus on people’s strengths, we encourage them to contribute even more. If staff embody this culture, it will naturally extend to students and volunteers.
Jack: Tomoko, after 10 years, what would you like to say to ARI’s supporters?
Tomoko: I deeply appreciate your generosity and support. The impact of ARI isn’t always immediately visible. However, it is truly remarkable that our alumni, working hard for society around the world, continue to trust and support us. They see their dreams in ARI, and having such friends is what keeps ARI moving forward.
Jack: Any final words?
Tomoko: Listening to Osamu-san, I realize that ARI’s core values have always been here, but we are now articulating them more clearly. In the past, experiencing ARI required being here in person, but now, with more publications and social media, people can express ARI’s value in their own words. Especially when alumni share their experiences and insights from their own communities, I have come to appreciate an incredibly rich and vast world. This has been a major revelation for me.
Osamu: ARI is a place to learn about all forms of life. It offers an experience that connects to the core of existence—not just the life within natural ecosystems, but also the human spirit. I hope many people will come and experience this for themselves.
Interested in learning more about Director Osamu Arakawa's dreams for the future of ARI? Donate to ARI through our US-based supporters group, American Friends of ARI, and receive a copy of our English-language newsletter, Take My Hand. More information here.
