We are excited to announce that our Spring Used Book Market has officially begun! Come browse a huge selection of books and discover delicious products from ARI. Fri, April 17 – Sat, 25 *Closed on Sun, April 19OPEN11:00-16:00 On Saturdays
It has been fifteen years since the Triple Disaster of 2011. Today we gathered at ARI for worship and prayed for those still suffering as they search for loved ones.
We also remembered what the disaster did to our ARI; to the land, our minds and our bodies as radioactive fallout poured down all around us. We also were led by Dr. Yasuyuki Fujimura of the Non-Electric Atelier, Director Osamu Arakawa and Former Director Tomoko Arakawa of ARI to think about how we have also worked through these past fifteen years to protect the land and to protect the health of the next generation.
Finally, we were called to not stop this work but to continue to work and pray for peace and a world free of nuclear pollution.
The following is the message delivered by our Director, Osamu Arakawa on that day.
Marking 15 Years Since the Great East Japan Earthquake
It has been 15 years since that day—March 11, 2011. The earthquake, the tsunami, and the nuclear accident.
We were thrown into events beyond our imagination, and many lives were lost.
The deep grief of those who lost loved ones continues even now.
Nature sometimes unleashes tremendous power and takes lives. Yet at the same time, it provides food and sustains life. We are not beings outside of nature; we are part of it. Within nature, there is the mystery of life and the mystery of death.
It is within this mystery that we are given life.
A singer, Tokiko Kato spoke about grief after losing her husband: “Grief is not something to be rid of, but something very precious. It is because of grief that we can understand the pain of others and the suffering of the world. Grief is an emotion to be cherished in life; through grief, we can connect deeply with people and the world.”
She came to live not by “overcoming” grief, but by holding it gently within herself. Grief exists on the other side of love. It is because we love that
we grieve.
Similarly, an essayist and poet, Eisuke Wakamatsu writes in 『The Mystery of Grief』: “There are doors in life that can only be opened through grief.”
There are things in this world that can only be seen through grief. Those living with deep grief carry invisible tears in their hearts. Yet that grief may also touch the beginning of new life and hope. There are doors that can only be opened through grief.
Our ARI was also affected by this disaster. Fortunately, no lives were lost. But the challenges we faced went beyond damaged buildings.
We faced the invisible: radiation released by the nuclear accident. Invisible things create fear and uncertainty in people’s hearts. There were “overreactions” and “underreactions,” people who feared too much and those who did not care at all, actions to protect life and actions to protect the economy. Which was correct? Society wavered between “reputational damage” and “health damage.” Not knowing what to believe was itself a heavy burden.
Yet we did not stop. The first thing we did was make the invisible—radiation—visible.
We acquired detectors and measured radiation ourselves: along school routes, in food, in children’s environments. We did not stop fearing; we sought knowledge to fear correctly. When it became visible, we could finally make calm, informed decisions. Furthermore, we chose not to wait for government standards but to set our own safety thresholds and live within them. This was a decision to live proactively, not be ruled by fear.
Overcoming a disaster does not mean simply returning to the way things were. It means choosing once again how we will live. The disaster taught us many lessons.
Most importantly, we realized the preciousness of soil, water, and air.
We had known their value, but radiation contamination taught us how fragile they can be. We came to truly understand that the natural cycles we take for granted are a priceless blessing.
Human civilization is fragile in the face of nature.
Even towers built high can crumble in an instant. Yet we also learned that humans are part of nature. Flowers bloom despite radiation; animals live quietly. Life is given silently, and even in death, it supports other lives. It is in this natural order that we find hope, even in despair.
Even now, 15 years later, reality continues. In the forests of ARI, radioactive waste is stored. Cesium has a half-life of about 30 years. We cannot eat the forest’s bounty, such as shiitake mushrooms, as freely as before. This reality reminds us of the foolishness of nuclear power.
Humans are forgetful. Yet nuclear plants are restarting in the name of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We must continue to ask: Can we live without destroying nature? Is there a way to go beyond the conflict between economy and environment?
The hope we have found is living in harmony with the satoyama, the countryside. Growing our own food, living with the forest. Not exploiting nature, but living within its cycles. Tilling the soil, protecting water, keeping the air clean. This way of life is the path to true peace.
After the disaster, we feel called to walk with stronger hope and faith than before. To connect with the source of life. To live in connection with nature, the earth, and the life-giving force beyond. This is what we want to embody going forward.
Fifteen years is not a short time, yet, considering the half-life of radioactive substances, we are still midway. Today, we must reconsider what it means to overcome a disaster. It is not simply to heal wounds. It is to return to the origin of living with nature, to see the unseen, to fear correctly, and to choose hope continually. In this journey lies the true meaning of reconstruction.
A Prayer
May peace and healing be given to all who carry grief and have lost lives in this world.
May we never forget that we are sustained by nature, and be granted the strength to protect the blessings of soil, water, and air.
May we find hope through grief, and the courage to live in love and connection.
May our actions leave hope and peace for generations to come.
First is Daneth Him (Aneth) from Cambodia. In the 15 years after graduating ARI, she has been a pillar of her community, supporting street children and women’s empowerment like a devoted mother. For Aneth, human connection is the most important thing of all. She says she chose to return to ARI to master the know-how of “Graduate Outreach.” Bringing the wisdom and experience gained on the ground, she will spend the next year with us to deepen the bonds between ARI graduates all over the world!
Next is Joshua Ofori Suttah (Joshua) from Ghana, who runs his own pig farm. During his 2020 training, what touched his heart most was seeing the staff quietly washing dishes, just like a servant leader would do. Now as a leader among youth in his own community, he has chosen to return to the soil once more, ready to show the next generation what it means to lead by serving. In his community, where access to veterinarians is limited, he travels around providing voluntary support for livestock, teaching others about castration and disease prevention. At ARI, he hopes to further his research into low-cost feed production and livestock management.
Both have set aside their careers to embrace the spirit of “That We May Live Together” once again. Their return is sure to bring a fresh, warm breeze to the ARI community this year!
From February 19th to the 28th, 12 of us (10 participants and 2 staff members) joined the Asian Rural Institute’s Indonesia Study Tour under the theme “Experience the Lives of Rural Leaders!” In the first installment of this three-part report series, we share our days in Siborongborong, North Sumatra.
Participants gradually gathered via transit points like Narita and Malaysia, finally meeting face-to-face for the first time at Medan Airport. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, we were welcomed with smiles by the local graduates, and our journey finally began.
It was about a 7-hour drive from the airport to our first destination. Along the way, we visited a facility of a disability support organization where graduate Junpiter Pakpahan works, and we observed and experienced making Batik, a traditional Indonesian textile. (We will share more about Junpiter’s wonderful initiatives in Vol. 3. Stay tuned!)
We then arrived at our first accommodation, “Kenny’s Farm,” run by ARI graduates Veny Tampubolon (2005 / 2012 TA) and Kengo Ishida (2012). Here, they practice a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature using a “Food Forest”.
■ Travel Log: Days of “Deep Immersion” at Kenny’s Farm During our stay, it wasn’t just about observing as guests. A program was organized for us to actually step into the cycle of their daily lives, smell the soil, and share farming and meals together.
■ Voices of Participants (From the post-tour survey) Through the few days at Kenny’s Farm and the deep reflections at night, participants fundamentally re-examined their own ideas of “abundance” and “way of life.” Here are some of the realizations shared in the survey:
“I was amazed that such rich and diverse food could be obtained right nearby, and I learned of a new possibility that combines hunting-gathering and agriculture.” “A life where the food forest is your market was very attractive.” “My greatest learning was the noble beauty of people working with conviction.” “I realized that I am interested in the lifestyle of people who live in harmony with the natural environment, even—or perhaps especially—in modern times.” “There were encounters that exceeded my expectations, such as being able to share thoughts with other participants and practicing looking at my own body and mind.”
The ARI philosophy of “living in harmony with nature.” It was a farm stay where seeing this philosophy firmly taking root and being vigorously practiced in Indonesia was engraved in the hearts of every participant.
For more on Veny and Kengo’s initiatives and ways of life, please also check out the article we previously published in our “Peace from Food” series.
https://ari.ac.jp/en/peace-from-food-from-the-tables-of-ari-graduates-vol-4/
Next time in [Vol. 2], we will report on our visit to the coffee farmers cooperative of the powerful and energetic Gani Silaban and Lampita Silaban, as well as our homestay experience with local families!
On March 4th, we held another presentation of learning. Venitta Kaduya (Veh, from Malawi) shared her year-long journey as a Training Assistant, and Mizuki Oki (Micky, from Japan) spoke about her experience during the Asian Internship Program.
Veh reflected on her learning through poultry raising and her leadership roles in the kitchen and dormitory. When asked about her strengths, she confidently declared, “I am strong! I’m always smiling! I talk a lot! I love eating! And I love jokes!” Her vibrant energy left a lasting impression on everyone.
Micky shared about her three-week internship program at the Petrasa Foundation—an organization in North Sumatra, Indonesia, where several graduates like Lidia belong. She learned about the realities and struggles farmers face. Her core takeaway was profound: “Knowledge is not enough. Before we try to change others, we must first seek to understand them.”
Their presentations reminded us that learning at ARI is not just about acquiring information—it is a transformative experience that moves the heart.
Following the passionate presentations, we celebrated Veh’s graduation with delicious homemade cake and ice cream she prepared herself.
May God bless Veh, Micky, and Jeremiya (who returned home in January) as they begin their next chapters!
On February 25th, we visited “Hahaha-no-kai Kino‐ie,” a certified center for early childhood education and care in Saitama.
After joining the morning service and playtime, we had the wonderful opportunity to share about ARI and Malawi. The highlight of the day was definitely the introduction to Malawi by our training assistant, Veh! Using pictures of animals and food, she captured everyone’s imagination. It was so heartening to see the children raising their hands so eagerly during the Q&A session.
After all the fun and interaction, we enjoyed a delicious, heartfelt school lunch while continuing our chats with the curious kids.
A huge thank you to everyone at the center for welcoming us so warmly and giving us this precious opportunity!
After graduating from ARI in 2022, Jacky Owang (kneeling, center left) returned to her community in Kenya to uplift the local farmers and fishers, increasing food security and economic income for the members of her church community.
Since then, thanks to a microgrant from Kibo Alliance, Jacky started a fish farming project, building fish pools and training farmers in her community on fish raising techniques. This small project, of teaching her community how to raise fish, is one step towards realizing her dreams after ARI.
Want to see her project, and meet ARI graduates like Jacky? Sign up for the Kibo Alliance trip to Kenya this June 22 to July 1. Limited space available!
Use this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPz_Ox6nN4Y-N22GOOB8BRFBojg_eavMKWqQgRWgn9SaNMHQ/viewform
From Feb 16–18, ARI hosted a 3-day NVC (Nonviolent Communication) workshop for our staff, led by Nozomi Kuriyama and Mari Saito from NVC Japan Network. Marking our third year of learning NVC, it feels as though we’ve finally stood at the “starting line.”
NVC is a way of connecting that moves beyond judgment or criticism. Instead, it focuses on listening to our “Feelings” and the underlying “Needs”—the things we truly value. As we grow older, it becomes harder to listen to our inner voices, often making it difficult to nurture relationships where everyone’s needs are honored. The journey starts by noticing our own biases and shifting our perspectives. By changing ourselves, our relationships transform, and eventually, so does the world.
The key is to breathe and mindfully savor our true selves. When we connect with our deep needs, we find healing and the joy of acting from the heart.
We look forward to seeing this practice create a ripple effect throughout the ARI community—a cycle of life centered on honoring each other’s true needs.
At 12:30 PM, staff, volunteers, and participants finish their morning work and gather in the dining hall, ready for a good meal.
Today’s Menu:
From the fields and poultry houses to the kitchen, this nutritious lunch is prepared by many caring hands. We share, we appreciate, and we say “Itadakimasu”—savoring the life we receive.
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