News

Environmental pollution caused by economic development, and the role of leaders who confront such issues, is one of the key topics in the ARI training. On September 18th, the participants went on an observation trip to sites related to the Ashio Copper Mine Pollution Incident, the first major environmental pollution disaster in Japan. They visited various locations over a wide area, including the former villages of Matsuki and Yanaka, which were abandoned due to air pollution and the making of a basin. They also visited the area of ​​Morita in … Read more

Peace from Food Summer Donation Campaign – Special Gift  Until Sunday, September 21, anyone who signs up as a new monthly supporter through the campaign site will receive a limited-edition T-shirt This year’s design features a corn motif on a golden harvest background. It’s an original design that reflects the season here at the Asian Rural Institute.Its natural tone makes the T-shirt easy to wear in everyday life and is suitable for all ages!Available sizes: S, M, L, XLIn the photos…  We invite you to join us as a monthly supporter and help us … Read more

Mr. Toru Sakawa of the Natural Farm Ureshipa Moshiri

Each year’s Rural Leaders Training Program hosts new participants, with unique backgrounds and incredible dreams of rural transformation. Our staff visit ARI graduates in the field, seeing the fruits of their labor. Now, the work of our participants and graduates from 2024 is available to read in our 2024 Annual Report. Learn more about our most recent year of successes and challenges by following the link below. Available in English and Japanese. Downloads – Asian Rural Institute Today was our 54th Foundation Day. We will report on it later, so … Read more

Associate Professor and University Chaplain, Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek, at J. F. Oberlin University

Part 1: Sunday, August 17, 2025, 21:30–22:00
Part 2: Sunday, August 24, 2025, 21:30–22:00

“Peace from Food” Donation Campaign Starting Friday, August 1, 2025!▶ Campaign website: ari.ac.jp/donate/peace2025 From August 1, the Asian Rural Institute is running the “Peace from Food” Donation Campaign.Throughout the month of August, we are sharing voices from our community members and supporters on Instagram and Facebook Stories, centered around the theme “What does food mean to you?”All past stories can also be viewed on our Instagram Highlights. Once a week, as a special feature, we will also share messages from supporters of ARI. Week 2: DUARI (Doshisha University Asian Rural … Read more

2025.8.5-7.

Originally published in 2020, we are republishing this piece to coincide with the upcoming issue of Take My Hand, containing updates from graduates in Sierra Leone. Get to know these four Participants during their time in Ghana. by Yukiko Oyanagi, Associate Director At the end of March 2020, when participants began to arrive in Japan, we heard the news, “Ghana closed the border. Four Sierra Leone students were left behind!”  Participants from overseas come to Japan after receiving a visa from the Japanese embassy in their country. Sierra Leone does … Read more