Christian Otto

RICE Media, an online platform addressing social issues through engaging content, paid a visit to the Asian Rural Institute to explore the impactful work being carried out by our community. During their time here, they interviewed volunteers, staff members, and other community members who make ARI a hub for sustainable development and peacebuilding in rural areas worldwide. The interview culminated in a vibrant post on Instagram that beautifully captured the essence of our mission. From discussions about organic farming to glimpses into our collaborative lifestyle, RICE Media’s coverage shed light … Read more

“Director’s Report”ARI has been on holiday since the 28th, but yesterday (30th), Hidehiko Hino, founder of SEBONE (spine) Conditioning, visited ARI. We took advantage of this opportunity and asked Mr. Hino to conduct a hands-on class, which was attended by 17 staff members and volunteers. SEBONE (spine) Conditioning aims to improve and alleviate symptoms by improving the distortion of the spine through exercises and hands-on techniques. Many of the members who took part suffered muscle aches here and there the next day because they exercised a lot of muscles that … Read more

This Christmas, the ARI community came together on the evening of December 25th to celebrate in true festive spirit. The room sparkled with decorations, including a beautifully adorned Christmas tree, and the air was filled with laughter and joy as we exchanged gifts, played games, and celebrated the season. It was a heartwarming moment of togetherness and fun—a fitting way to end the year. As we reflect on 2024, we are deeply grateful to all our supporters, especially those who have stood with us for years, financially and in spirit. … Read more

Before their graduation ceremony, the participants of the Asian Rural Institute came together for a special snow-viewing event as part of their final days in Japan. It was a moment to relax and strengthen community ties after their intensive training and final presentations. For many, it was their first time seeing snow, making the day particularly exciting. The group enjoyed classic winter activities like snowball fights and sledding, followed by warming up with hot chocolate. Later, they visited a local foot onsen, where the soothing warmth provided a perfect counterbalance … Read more

The atmosphere was one of anticipation and reflection as participants of the 2024 Asian Rural Institute (ARI) training program gathered to deliver their final presentations. After nine months of learning, working, and growing together, this was their opportunity to share how they plan to apply their experiences back home. During the presentations, the participants—now proud ARI graduates—spoke about their visions for the future. They outlined both short-term and long-term plans, such as establishing training centers, introducing organic farming techniques, and promoting the use of organic pesticides and non-chemical fertilizers. Their … Read more

Naria Yokota, a third-year student at Aoyama Gakuin Elementary School, won the Mitsumura Printing Award on the 74th National Primary and Junior High School Essay Contest (sponsored by the Yomiuri Shimbun) in the lower elementary school division for her essay about her homestay exchange with ARI participant Azi. The family welcomed ARI participant Azi from Northeast India as a host family in June this year. In her essay, Naria expresses her encounter with a different culture and her understanding of the ARI participant’s background in such memorable phrases as “Azi … Read more

The Western Japan Study Tour continues! On Day 9, we bid farewell to our wonderful host families in Minamata and began the long journey to Hiroshima. Unfortunately, traffic jams delayed our progress, and we arrived too late to join Baikou University’s chapel hour as planned. Despite this, we received a warm welcome from ARI friends at the university, who expressed their hopes of deepening ties with ARI and sending more students in the future. After navigating additional traffic within Hiroshima, we finally arrived for dinner, ending what was a very … Read more

The Western Japan Study Tour continues! On day 7, we arrived in Moji early in the morning after an exciting ferry journey and continued to Minamata, where we met the program organizer, a long-time friend of ARI. Our Minamata program began with a visit to the private Minamata Disease Museum, distinct from the government-run public museum. This museum preserves numerous materials from Minamata disease patients, providing participants with insights into why the disease occurred, the factors that exacerbated it, and its impact on the community. Following the museum visit, we … Read more

The Western Japan Study Tour continues! On day 5, we visited Osaka YMCA for a field trip and divided into three groups. The Kamagasaki group focused on the issue of homelessness. Each year, participants find it challenging to fully grasp the complexity of this issue, often comparing it to their own countries. However, they gained a better understanding by comparing Kamagasaki’s situation to other parts of Japan, which highlighted why it remains a significant problem. Another group explored Korean Town to learn about discrimination issues. They were shocked to discover … Read more