HTC is now just 10days away!✨ On campus, the committees are getting excited and have been busy holding meetings and preparing for the celebration.From today, we will start the countdown to HTC on SNS📢 We hope that you will join us
Once a week, as a special feature, we will share messages from supporters of ARI.
In this fifth installment, we introduce a “Food is …” message from Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek, at J. F. Oberlin University.
“Food is… Life with Dignity”
For me, food is life with dignity. Food brings security and is a fundamental source of peace.
At Asian Rural Institute, we have been offering the Dignity Workshop for eight years as part of our curriculum for participants. The workshop is led by Associate Professor and University Chaplain Jeffrey Mensendiek of Obirin University, who is also the translator of Donna Hicks’ book Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict (published in Japanese as 尊厳のリーダーシップ by Shobunsha).
Dignity Workshop held at ARI: Japanese-Language Dignity Workshop – Asian Rural Institute
Peace from Food Donation Campaign
August 1(Fri) – September 21(Sun), 2025
Campaign site: https://ari.ac.jp/donate/peace2025/en?ari=news
From August 1, Asian Rural Institute is running the “Peace from Food” Donation Campaign.
Throughout the month of August and September, 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.
Participants accompanied by staff visited two areas of Yamagata. – Shonai region, and Okitama region. Both groups enjoyed learning from farmers with long experience in organic farming and community development. Some were surprised about low input compost, others about the involvement of women in farming and food processing, and overall each participant was inspired by the passion and commitment of the people. The two groups later met in Iwate to learn more about Permaculture and livestock raising. It is important to note that climate change is a critical and growing concern for farmers. Our hope is that this learning trip continues to be a space for both our participants and hosts to share information and ways to adapt in these conditions. We are grateful for each farmer, organization and school that welcomed us warmly.
In the heat and humidity of mid-summer, working outside on the farm becomes a great challenge — so much so, that ARI arranges its schedule to take advantage of cooler times.
In July and August, weekdays start at 5am, a practice we call “Sunrise Farm”. Each morning, we harvest vegetables and pull weeds while it’s still cool, helping to reduce physical strain, then take a rest when the sun is strongest.
Sometimes it’s tough heading out so early, but we’re happy to feel the soft glow of the rising sun, and the awakening of life in our fields — what we’ve come to ARI to train for.
Before ARI, Mako Masukawa once worked in the kitchen of a top restaurant in Kyoto. Now, she volunteers at ARI, helping with meal preparation.
She shared: “If everyone could eat delicious food, I don’t think wars would happen.”
When she worked in high-end cuisine, Mako was always busy and had to push herself through work, even when experiencing deep frustration. After a certain point, she asked herself, “Was this the kind of cooking I truly wanted?” That moment led her to the decision to come to ARI. Now, as a volunteer, she faces “cooking” once more, continuing her search for the answer to the question, “What is ‘delicious’?”
This painting, created by Mako, embodies such thoughts.
For delicious food to be born, clean air, clean water, and clean soil are necessary. Cooking isn’t just about filling stomachs; it’s where the cook’s heart, the local environment, and wishes for peace all converge.
As these small thoughts accumulate, and from her hands that cook, a gentle peace spreads.
Interviewed & Written by Konoha Yamanaka (ARI Volunteer)
Click here to read the series of articles
“Peace from Food” Cooking for Peace Vol. 1
“Peace from Food” Cooking for Peace Vol. 2 ← Now, you’re here.
Once a week, as a special feature, we will share messages from supporters of ARI.
In this third installment, we introduce a “Food is …” message from Rika Mezura of Yotsuba Co-op.
“Food is… Life”
To me, food is what builds our minds and bodies. “Chisan-chisho,” or local production for local consumption, is what creates peace of mind. I believe that trust in our food comes not just from safety, but from being able to trace its story back to the source. To nurture healthy minds and bodies, to protect the value of what we eat, and to deliver true peace of mind to our customers, we put importance on local production for local consumption to ensure traceability.
What is Yotsuba Co-op? We promote direct-from-producer sales and local production for local consumption, delivering safe and trustworthy ingredients to your home. Based on our own unique product standards, we prioritize domestic products and exclude imported ingredients, food additives, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as much as possible.
Announcement Yotsuba Co-op will be participating in the Asian Rural Institute’s Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration Day. We invite all who are interested to attend. ARI Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration Day Announcement Page: https://ari.ac.jp/htc-2025/
Peace from Food Donation Campaign
Starting Friday, August 1, 2025!
Campaign website: https://ari.ac.jp/donate/peace2025/en?ari=news
From August 1, 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.
“Food can make you happy just by looking at it.”
This is what Peace from Food means to Thi Thi, a member of the ARI team from Myanmar, working in FEAST (Food Education and Sustainable Table).
Thi Thi’s drawings of vegetables and flowers reflect her hometown’s rich food culture and her heartfelt appreciation for the beauty of cuisine.
“The cook’s feelings reflect directly in the taste of the food.”
Her message connects you, your food, and your loved ones. “First, it’s important that you, yourself, feel it’s delicious. Because that connects to the joy of the person who eats it.”
The kitchen is a place where creativity and culture are shared, and where peace is born.
Small acts of kindness through food become the power to build peace in the future.
Inteviewed & Written by Konoha Yamanaka (ARI Volunteer)
Click here to read the series of articles
“Peace from Food” Cooking for Peace Vol. 1 ← Now, you’re here.
“Peace from Food” Cooking for Peace Vol. 2
Recently, we held a community event at the ARI, visiting a river and waterfall together.
It was a beautiful day to refresh our minds and bodies in the embrace of nature, surrounded by friends and shared moments.
In the midst of our busy daily lives, we are grateful for the opportunity to slow down and connect—with nature and with each other.
As the hot days continue, we hope you’re staying well and taking good care of yourselves.
Mina Yamashita of RAKUDA, a bakery in Kuroiso, Nasushiobara City is a supporter of ARI, and has a message for you this week. What is food for her?
“Food is … Circulation”
When I think about what food means to me, the first thing that comes to mind is that it is what makes my body. And when it leaves the body, it returns to nature. I want to choose foods that are pleasant to eat, both for what goes into my body and what returns to nature.
What is RAKUDA?
I bake bread with homemade natural yeast, domestic wheat, and as many organic ingredients as possible.
When making my bread, I do my best to make sure that this is what makes the bodies of the people who eat it…!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rakuda.pan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rakuda.b/
Peace from Food Donation Campaign
Starting Friday, August 1, 2025!
▶ Campaign website: https://ari.ac.jp/donate/peace2025/en?ari=news
From August 1, we are hosting our “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.
Watch all our online events again!
Join the ARI life with family and friends!
We're looking for on-campus volunteers
Tsukinukizawa 442-1
Tochigi, Nasushiobara
329-2703 JAPAN
[email protected]
+81-287-36-3111 (tel)
+81-287-37-5833 (fax)
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