About ARI

ARI's Theory of Change:

Training One Rural Leader Trains an Entire Community

ARI invites leaders from rural organizations worldwide to training in sustainable development. After returning home, these leaders take the initiative to address challenges and foster development within their own communities. This process lies at the heart of ARI’s work.

Nomination from Home Country

Candidates are selected and recommended by their local communities or grassroots organizations (Sending Bodies) for training in Japan. ARI reviews the applications and accepts selected candidates as participants.

Training at ARI

Students attend ARI’s program, gaining new knowledge, values, and skills. After nine months, they return home with long-term goals for their communities.

Contribution Back Home

Together with their sending organizations and communities, graduates put their learning into practice, developing plans and working toward the sustainable growth of their communities.

"That We May Live Together"

Founded on September 16, 1973, the mission of the Asian Rural Institute is to build an environmentally healthy, just, and peaceful world, in which each person can live to his or her fullest potential. This mission is rooted in the love of Jesus Christ.

To carry out this mission, we nurture and train rural leaders for a life of sharing. Leaders, both women and men, who live and work in grassroots rural communities primarily in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific, form a community of learning each year together with staff and other residents.

Through community-based learning, we study the best ways for rural people to share and enhance local resources and abilities for the common good.

We present a challenge to ourselves and to the whole world in our approach to food and life.

Staff & Board Members

Books & Documents

Our Vision for the Future

At ARI’s 50th anniversary, we created a map of what we wish to see in the world through the transformative power of ARI graduates.

Tap the magnifying glass icons to view descriptions of each area.

A Program Sustained by Donations

Almost all participants attending ARI from developing countries face significant economic challenges and cannot cover tuition costs themselves.

For this reason, since its founding, ARI has covered nearly all tuition and travel expenses, ensuring access to learning opportunities. These costs are supported by donations from individuals, companies, support organizations, and churches.

In addition, scholarship participants must have at least 3 years of experience working with organizations serving rural communities facing poverty and other challenges. After graduation, they are also expected to continue working with these organizations for a minimum of three years. This system ensures that what they learn at ARI is meaningfully returned to their communities.

More about donations

ARI Graduates

Although participants come from diverse backgrounds and face a wide range of challenges in their communities, all graduates are expected to return to their home countries as “servant leaders,” bringing back the knowledge and skills they have gained and applying them with strong commitment to address local issues.

The number of countries represented by today:

Total 0 countries

The number of graduates by today:

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Many graduates are creating positive change in their communities around the world.

More about ARI Graduates

Message from the Chair

The Asian Rural Institute (ARI) is an international leadership training organization with over 50 years of history. Guided by the belief that “developing local leaders is essential for the self-reliance of rural communities,” ARI has been training rural leaders from developing countries.

Each year, participants and volunteers from around 15 countries gather at its residential campus, where both classes and daily life are conducted in English. Surrounded by an organic farm and rich natural environment, ARI fosters a unique learning experience grounded in its motto, “That We May Live Together.”

History of ARI

The origins of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) trace back to the 1960s, when the “Southeast Asia Department” was established at the Rural Evangelical Seminary in Tokyo. It was founded with a sense of repentance for the involvement of Japanese churches in World War II, and aimed to train rural leaders who could help address the challenges faced by communities in Southeast Asia.

1973

Establishment of ARI

The Southeast Asia Department later became independent from the Rural Evangelical Seminary, leading to the establishment of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture.

1985

Curriculum Expanded

With an increasing number of participants from African countries, ARI developed a comprehensive residential training model, systematizing its practical program based on organic farming, communal living, and English as the common language.

1995

ARI Training Center in Philippines

A training center was established on Negros Island in the Philippines (closed in 2003).

1996

Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding

Founder Rev. Toshihiro Takami received the Ramon Magsaysay Award—often called the “Nobel Prize of Asia”—in recognition of his outstanding contributions to society.

2011

Attacked by The Great East Japan Earthquake

Most of the facilities suffered severe damage. Amid devastating conditions, recovery efforts began with the support of various organizations and many individuals, and were completed four years later.

2014

Development of the Graduate Network

ARI visited 229 graduates across 12 countries to conduct an Graduate Impact Study. Based on the findings, the book *Rural Leaders – Rural Leaders* was published.

2023

50th Anniversary

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, ARI has begun shaping its next vision and updating its programs for a changing world. New initiatives have been launched, including corporate training programs and community partnership projects.

1973

Establishment of ARI

The Southeast Asia Department later became independent from the Rural Evangelical Seminary, leading to the establishment of the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) in Nasushiobara, Tochigi Prefecture.

1985

Curriculum Expanded

1995

ARI Training Center in Philippines

A training center was established on Negros Island in the Philippines (closed in 2003).

1996

Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding

Founder Rev. Toshihiro Takami received the Ramon Magsaysay Award—often called the “Nobel Prize of Asia”—in recognition of his outstanding contributions to society.

2011

Attacked by The Great East Japan Earthquake

Most of the facilities suffered severe damage. Amid devastating conditions, recovery efforts began with the support of various organizations and many individuals, and were completed four years later.

2014

Development of the Graduate Network

ARI visited 229 graduates across 12 countries to conduct an Graduate Impact Study. Based on the findings, the book *Rural Leaders – Rural Leaders* was published.

2023

50th Anniversary

Recognized in Japan and Overseas

1988: Commendation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs for contributions to international exchange
1996: Rev. Toshihiro Takami received the Ramon Magsaysay Award (Peace and International Understanding)

1998: Special Award for Social Contribution from the Tochigi Association of Corporate Executives
2001: 13th Mainichi International Exchange Award
ARI’s integrated rural development project in Negros was selected as “Project of the Year” at the International Cooperation Festival
2006: 5th Iue Asia-Pacific Culture Prize “Asia-Pacific Forum, Awaji Conference”
2008: 14th Achievement Award from the Japan Ecumenical Association
2009: Asahi Social Welfare Award (FY2008)
2019: Nominated as Japan’s candidate for the UNESCO-Japan ESD Prize
2026: 15th Kubota–Mainichi Global Environment Award

Multicultural, International & Diverse Community

One of the first surprises to many ARI visitors is the remarkable diversity of the people living in campus. Each year, around 30 participants from approximately 15 countries, about 15 volunteers from Japan and abroad, and roughly 30 staff members of diverse nationalities live together, forming a small international community. For this reason, English serves as the common language.

*The graphs show approximate numbers. The number varies by year.

Self-sufficient Agricultural Life

Food is essential to our daily lives, and ensuring access to food is a fundamental step in addressing poverty in developing countries. At ARI, organic farming that can be applied in rural communities is both taught and practiced. As a result, the institute achieves a food self-sufficiency rate of over 90%.