Makiko Abe

By God’s grace, 27 participants successfully completed the Rural Leaders Training Program in 2025.We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who supported the nine-month training program in various ways!

Over the past few days, ARI hosted the Class of 2025’s final presentations. Each of the 27 participants told their learning experiences at ARI, and what they seek to accomplish when they return home. Overcoming nervousness, each stood before all their classmates, staff, volunteers, and supporters. With carefully designed posters, they confidently addressed the audience, presenting the challenges facing their communities and their concrete plans to address them. One participant began his presentation by saying, “Before coming to Japan, I thought I knew about my community,” but by leaving his … Read more

This year’s training program is now coming to an end. Last week, Acivo (Class of 2000), a graduate from Nagaland, India, conducted classes for participants. The lecture content was highly practical and based on her own experiences. For instance, she discussed income generation. In fact, many graduates often face this challenge to generate income immediately after graduation. Living in villages in developing countries, where ties with family and relatives are strong, they always bear responsibilities and the associated expenses, such as supporting their families and sending siblings and children to … Read more

From Dec 1st – Jan 31st

Participants, who had traveled by bus from Minamata to Hiroshima (The final training location of this trip) for the entire day, visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum the following day, November 20. They first heard from legacy successor Ms. Sachiko Hiraoka. She shared about her aunt Sadae Sasaoka’s experience of the atomic bomb. She was 13 and happened to be at home when the bomb dropped 3.5 kms away. She shared the horrors her aunt saw, of the pain of losing family members, and the hopelessness of war. Ms. Hiraoka … Read more

When you hear the word “coaching,” what image comes to mind?At ARI, which emphasizes leadership training, we value not only equipping leaders from various countries with the skills to coach others, but also helping them recognize and enhance their own inherent abilities as leaders.Ms. Morikawa, who has been involved with ARI since 2012 following the earthquake and has provided annual training for ARI staff ever since, is a personification of inclusiveness. There is much to learn simply from her atmosphere alone.We hope this class, which connects with previous learning on … Read more

On the morning of November 17th, participants arrived at Moji Port in Kyushu aboard a ferry and then traveled by bus to Minamata. Although they had studied Minamata disease beforehand at ARI, visiting Minamata had a profoundly different impact on them. Upon arriving in Minamata, they first heard from Mr. Matsuki, a former Minamata City government employee. He worked with the mayor to rebuild connections within a broken community. Minamata residents had many issues – one of them was mistrust among those who were direct victims and those who could … Read more

In early November, a two-day biogas class was held with Mr. Kuwabara from Ogawa Town, Saitama Prefecture as the instructor. Biogas is a biofuel gas derived from organic materials such as food waste, paper, and livestock manure. The residue after fermentation can be used as fertilizer or compost, making it a waste-free process. For this reason, it has gained attention in recent years as a means of generating renewable energy.Every year, during their observation trip to Ogawa Town in June, participants visit Mr. Kuwabara to learn about his unique biogas … Read more

Participants arrived in Osaka on the evening of the 14th and were welcomed by the Osaka YMCA.  On the 15th, they split into three study groups: One team visited Osaka Korea Town in Ikuno Ward. Participants learned about discrimination issues related to Zainichi Koreans. It was an opportunity to reflect on minority groups and identity. We were grateful for the opportunity to hear about our guide’s first hand experiences as well. Many were surprised to learn that these issues exist and how they take form in Japanese society. The issue of … Read more

At ARI, practical classes taught by graduates are held about four times a year.This time, two graduates from the Democratic Republic of Congo class of 2022, Shukuru and Mordekay, led an online class. They introduced methods for raising black soldier fly larvae. In fact, while at ARI, the two had first attempted this rearing as a personal project. Unfortunately, they failed at the time, but after graduation they tried again in their home country and were able to achieve success.Feeding on kitchen waste, these insects hatch from eggs into larvae … Read more