Makiko Abe

Only 3 days left until the launch of our crowdfunding campaign on August 1st!Today, we would like to introduce our study tour at Aino High School of Agriculture in Iga. Aino High School is a full-boarding agricultural high school that teaches organic farming. We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership, with many of its graduates coming to ARI as volunteers. During the WJST, Participants stay on their campus, tour the farm and school facilities, and connect with the high school students through discussions, songs, and dances. We spoke with Sojiro Oka, … Read more

From July 13 to 18, we went on a FCST (Farming Community Study Tour). We were divided into two groups: For 4 days, Group A went to the Okitama region and Tozawa Village of Yamagata Prefecture, while Group B went to the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture. Afterward, we reunited and continued our study tour in Iwate Prefecture. At each location, we were able to learn from a wide variety of sources, including organic farmers, farmers’ groups, high schools, daycare centers, JA cooperatives, and permaculture farms. The participants were really … Read more

We are finally just about one week away from the launch of our crowdfunding campaign on August 1st! Today, we would like to introduce our study in Osaka.In Osaka, participants are divided into groups based on their preparatory study sessions to engage with human rights issues and the history of discrimination faced by homeless individuals, as well as people from Korea and Okinawa who have migrated to Osaka. Upon hearing the story of a Zainichi Korean individual living under a Korean name, a participant shared, “When Bengalis—the majority in Bangladesh—mispronounced … Read more

On July 10th and 11th, I had the honor of attending the 65th Summer University Lecture on Rural Medicine at Saku General Hospital in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, where I accepted the Wakatsuki Award on behalf of (ARI. In addition to receiving the certificate and supplementary prize, I was also privileged to deliver a commemorative lecture. The Wakatsuki Award was established to honor the legacy of Dr. Toshikazu Wakatsuki (1910–2006), a pioneer who dedicated his life to the development of regional healthcare and rural medicine at Saku General Hospital. The … Read more

This weekend is Marine Day in Japan. When you think of the sea, what comes to your mind?Today, we are thrilled to share a supporter’s voice from Nahoko Osawa of “Karatachi”, who has been graciously hosting our West Japan Study Tour in Minamata City, Kumamoto! “Karatachi” was founded by Nahoko’s parents to support Minamata disease patients, through cultivating and selling organic citrus fruits. “More than 40 years have passed since we first began hosting participants from ARI here in Minamata. As my parents grew older, I stepped in to carry … Read more

Every October, ARI holds HTC (Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration). This year, it will take place on October 17th (Sat) and 18th (Sun). HTC is a day to share the joy of the harvest with everyone and God, and for the participants, it is also a process of learning leadership. The first HTC meeting was held on July 7th. After an orientation session where we learned “What is HTC?”, we split into groups to activities such as “Please draw what ‘celebration’ means to you,” “How can you contribute to HTC?”, and “What … Read more

Our Summer Donation Campaign: “Living Kindly with Neighbors” has officially kicked off!Today, we’d like to share a message from Mei Goto, the representative of the “Doshisha ARI Project”. The “Doshisha ARI Project (duari)” was born out of Doshisha University’s international volunteer club, the “International Habitat Association.” Deeply inspired by ARI’s values, duari works to support and raise awareness of ARI’s mission. Mei didn’t just spend time on campus at ARI—in February 2026, she also joined the ARI-organized study tour to Indonesia to visit our graduates! Witnessing their incredible work firsthand … Read more

Last week, Participants went on a short trip to Ogawa Town to meet 3 organic farmers who have supported ARI for a long time. The strong philosophy of promoting self-sufficiency and circulation guide many of the organic farming practices in Ogawa Town. Many participants noted the connections between turning waste into biogas and biogas liquid which further can be used on fields to promote soil health. They also learned core methods that promote biodiverse fields such as the use of banker plants and living mulch on land, and the work … Read more

On June 18, we were thrilled to welcome over 20 members of the Industry Co-Creation (ICC) community and local friends to ARI! ICC is a network of entrepreneurs, business leaders, and producers from across Japan who gather to learn and co-create new industries. As part of their fieldwork in the Nasu area, they also made a stop at ARI. Associate Director Oyanagi and I guided them on a campus tour, introducing ARI’s daily learning and sustainable practices. Following this, Tomoko Arakawa, our Managing Director, shared ARI’s philosophy of “Servant Leadership” … Read more

At our recent “Morning Gathering,” I shared my thoughts on “the meaning of waiting.” While I am by no means good at “waiting,” I have come to understand its importance at various turning points in my life. During a tree-planting project in Tanzania I participated in my twenties, I learned the hard way that because we prioritized efficiency and immediate results, the trees we brought and planted failed to take root in that land or among the people. In contrast, native trees grow slowly but steadily extend their roots until … Read more