News

Once again this year, the rice paddies at the Asian Rural Institute (ARI) ripened to a beautiful golden color. Our entire community—participants, volunteers, and staff from countries across Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Japan —came together for the annual rice harvest! The small seedlings we planted in the spring grew strong under the summer sun, bearing a rich and plentiful harvest. Under a brilliant clear autumn sky, we all got muddy together, carefully cutting each stalk by hand with sickles. Songs and dances in many languages filled the air, … Read more

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.