Makiko Abe

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

With the cooperation of the Ecumenical Relations Committee of the National Federation of UCCJ Women’s Society, ARI has been running the “Kyodan Homestay Program” in the Tokyo metropolitan area since 1973. In June, just as the participants are starting to get used to life at ARI and begin to feel homesick, it all begins with the simple phrase, “Let’s go to ‘Japan’!” Rather than expecting anything special, host families welcome our participants as if they were “a daughter or son studying in Tochigi who has come home for the weekend.”Some … Read more

5 participants of MESA (Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture) program are currently taking part in a short-term training at ARI. This program brings together people working in the agricultural sector in the United States. Participants include individuals who have worked for years on farms that practice seed collection, those working on organic farms, and the accompanying professor who teaches agroecology. They are interested in the organic farming, community, and leadership practices implemented at ARI. They study and work on the farm together with ARI participants and occasionally attending sessions just … Read more

Our participants’ May essay topic was “Food,” and it truly highlighted their interest in nutrition! My nutrition classes aim to add a valuable dietary perspective to the agriculture and community improvement work that many participants are already doing, making their efforts even more impactful. Participants started by reflecting on their own daily meals, learning everything from the basics of a balanced diet to climate-resilient, nutrient-rich crops, as well as the specific nutritional needs of different genders and age groups. Of course, the real practice happens outside the classroom through daily … Read more

The 3rd Organic School Lunch Forum is coming to Oyama City, Tochigi Prefecture, on Saturday, July 25th, and Sunday, July 26th! This inspiring event will feature an incredible lineup of speakers, including Hiroyuki Tateno, the President of the Rice Research Center, along with various sectional meetings and organic farm tours showcasing cutting-edge organic school lunch and environmental initiatives from Japan and South Korea. We are especially thrilled to announce that Yoshihiro Kimijima (Kimiji)—a former ARI volunteer from the class of 2010—will be a featured speaker alongside his peers! Kimiji wears … Read more

Early in 2025 I had the chance to spend some days with our Graduate Roy David.  During that time, I learned, first hand, about the plight of the Adivasi people of India, also known the forest dwellers, or tribals.  Roy David spent his whole life advocating for the rights of the Adivasi, never fearing danger nor seemingly insurmountable obstacles.  Last month, I came to find out those days were more precious than I could imagine, because I will never see him again.  He passed away of a heart attack May … Read more

ARI community came together to participate in the rice transplanting activity. At ARI, we believe that community means working together, sharing responsibilities, learning from one another, and supporting each other with respect and care.During the rice transplanting process, people from different countries, cultures, and backgrounds worked side by side. Each person brought unique experiences, leadership qualities, ideas, and strengths. We listened carefully to the instructions, cooperated throughout the entire process, and supported one another from beginning to end. Through teamwork and mutual encouragement, we successfully completed the work while enjoying … Read more

Participants successfully completed their first presentations at ARI! Their presentations explored the issues they hope to address in their communities, the work they are doing with their Sending Body organizations, and what they hope to gain during their time at ARI. Some of the key issues that stood out included the need for safe and nutritious food grown without chemicals, safeguarding minority communities, and increasing income generation, among others. There were many original and creative presentations that highlighted both their deep passion for their communities and their strong community engagement … Read more

On May 12th, I attended the 43rd Niwano Peace Prize Presentation Ceremony held at the International House of Japan. This year’s recipient is Mr. Benki Piyãko, a spiritual leader of the Asháninka indigenous people from the Brazilian Amazon. He is also widely recognized as an environmental activist, human rights defender, and social entrepreneur. The Niwano Peace Foundation stated the following as the reason for his selection: “The people of this region have endured immeasurable hardships caused by the destruction of the forests and the damage inflicted by invaders. For the … Read more