The Latest

Director’s Report: ARI’s 2023 Annual Report Released – A Journey of Learning and Sustainability

Director’s Report:
ARI’s Annual Report for 2023 FY was finally completed last month. It can be downloaded from ari.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cmyk-Annual-Report-JP-2023-online.pdf (available only in Japanese yet)
The picture on the cover is by Ms. Han Sakawa, a year-long volunteer of 2023. For the last week, the Participants were divided into two groups, one in the Shonai region and the other in the Kawanishi region of Yamagata Pref., and spent the last two days visiting a natural farm, Ureshipamosiri, in Towa-cho, Hanamaki, Iwate Pref. Mr. & Mrs. Sakawa, the couple who started the farm are Han’s parents, and Mr. Sakawa himself is a former ARI volunteer, too. Through their lectures and receiving ARI Participants to their farm ARI, they have shared with us their rich insights and experiences of the practice of “subsistence farming based on permaculture which is a design method for creating a sustainable human living sphere in harmony with the natural environment around us.”

Former ARI volunteers’ activities in Uganda were featured in the local newspaper, Shimotsuke Shinbun

On 16, 17 and 20 of August, Shimotsuke newspaper published a series of articles entitled ”JICA, From the Land of Africa – Report on a Visit to Uganda”.
The article was in three parts, covering support for infrastructure development, agriculture and education.
Miki Kanai (currently a JICA staff in Uganda), an ARI volunteer from 2020-21, was interviewed as one of those who had learned agriculture in Tochigi. She says, “I want to spread the cultivation of rice using organic fertilisers in Uganda where there are many farmers”.
Although not featured in the article, a graduate of the ARI in Uganda also got interview from the reporter.

Director’s Report: ARI Director Assists Visioning Process at Dokuritsu Gakuen High School

Director’s Report:
On August 23-24, I was invited by Dokuritsu Gakuen High School in Oguni-machi, Yamagata Prefecture, to help the faculty and staff learn about “visioning” (setting a vision of the school). ARI Participants visit the high school every year during ARI’s Rural Community Study Tour in Yamagata Prefecture, but this was the first time I had the opportunity to listen to the thoughts, wishes, dreams, and hopes of every member of the faculty and staff. I am grateful that I was able to touch even for a moment, the strength and depth of the foundation and spirit that has built Dokuritsu Gakuen High School (like the “corner pillar stone” placed at the entrance to the school) and the pure hearts of the faculty and staff who are working to realize it (like a river flowing through nature by the school)! (Photo: “The truth shall make you free,” John 8:32, written by a former staff member of the school that was displayed in the entrance hall.)

Director’s Report: Lecture on “Peace from the Soil” by ARI’s Director, Tomoko Arakawa

Director’s Report:
Thursday, August 22, I will be speaking at an event organized by the Maebashi Tomono Kai in Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture. The title of the lecture is “Peace from the Soil”. The general public is welcome to attend, so please come if you are in the area!
Zenkoku Tomonokai was founded in 1930 by readers of “Fujin-no Tomo”, a magazine first published by Motoko Hani. The aim is to nurture mutual friendship through “Fujin-no Tomo” and to grow by making the most of each other’s abilities.
ARI and Tomono Kai share many values, and they have long supported ARI. I have also been invited to give a talk at many Tomono Kai in various places in Japan.

Director’s Report: Reporting Beyond the Headlines – Tomomi Ono’s Insightful Coverage of ARI

Director’s Report:
Ms. Tomomi Ono, an Asahi Shimbun reporter has written many articles about ARI since she was assigned to the Otawara (Northern Tochigi) Bureau in 2021, and she will be transferred to the Tokyo head office on September 1st.
Ono-san wrote about ARI’s events and covered a number of themes that touched the essence of ARI, such as radiation issues, organic farming, and servant leadership. She interviewed staff members many times and even attended classes. I am especially grateful to her for writing about me in the　“Hito (People)” section on the newspapers, to which I received many good responses!
She was also a big fan of ARI’s produce (and I’m sure you will continue to).
Come back again, Ono-san!

Director’s Report: Exploring Social Justice: Insights from ARI’s Associate Director at NPA

Director’s Report:
Ms. Yukiko Oyanagi, Associate Director of ARI, will talk in the Webinar of “New Age Asia Peace Academy (NPA)” on Tuesday, August 13. You can register for just one lecture (2,000 yen for a fee), so please join. (Japanese only.)
To register, please visit the link in our profile.
*If you register, you can watch the archive even after the event date has passed.
[Summary of the event]
Date: Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 19:00-21:00　
Lecturer: Yukiko Oyanagi (Associate Director of ARI)
Language: Japanese
Summary: Through learning the purpose and history of ARI, its current activities (Rural Leadership Training Program and Open Learning Program), and the activities of its graduates in the world, we will think about how we can realize a sustainable society.

Director’s Report: ARI’s Menstruation Hygiene Management Workshop

Director’s Report:
Menstruation Hygiene Management (MHM) has been a focus of ARI’s gender class for several years.
Today, a workshop on MHM was held for the entire ARI community.
MHM aims to help menstruating women “stay safe and hygienic during their menstrual period”
As prejudice, superstition, and lack of knowledge about menstruation limit the daily lives and rights of menstruating people, especially in developing countries,　the awareness and education of MHM has been growing worldwide in recent years,
This year, Participants and volunteers played a central role in the organization of the workshop, and the men actively participated in the presentations.
There were very open and positive discussions about how to change mindsets, how to support those in need, and so on.
I listened to everyone’s diverse voices, wondering if there is any other MHM workshop in Japan that is as advanced as this one.
In September, we will try making homemade sanitary napkins.

Director’s Report: Peace Sunday at UCCJ Daita Church

Director’s Report:

On August 4 (Sun.), I will preach at the Peace Sunday Service at UCCJ Daita Church (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo). I will also continue to speak at the “Peace Gathering” in the afternoon (13:30-). We will also be selling ARI items. Please join us if you are in the area!