Today, August 1st, we launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the Asian Rural Institute’s (ARI) “Western Japan Study Tour.”
Every November, ARI conducts the Western Japan Study Tour as the culmination of our 9-month Rural Leaders Training Program. It is a 12-day, 3,000 km round-trip journey by minibus.
Participants visit sites reflecting Japan’s history of “pain and regeneration”—including pollution, discrimination, and the scars of war. There, they meet people who have stood by their neighbors to live together in harmony.
Our 22 rural leaders from 13 countries often reflect:
“Although I was looking at Japan, it felt like I was looking at my own country.”
Realizing that the pain people carry shares common ground across borders, participants return home to act as leaders who “live kindly with neighbors,” uplifting their communities.
However, a grant we anticipated was not awarded this year. Combined with inflation and the weak yen, we need your support more than ever. We aim to raise 1 million yen for transportation costs out of the total 2 million yen budget.
▼ Campaign & Donations:
https://ari.ac.jp/en/campaign/update
Period: Aug 1, 2026 – Sept 30, 2026
Please support our 22 participants and share this post with your network. Thank you!
