This spring, ARI is reflecting on climate change through the stories of our graduates. For our third feature, we highlight ARI’s activity for climate change. At ARI, we have the Climate Change Action Committee, a voluntary group of staff members
At ARI, alongside the nine‑month Rural Leaders Training Program, we also welcome trainees from a variety of organizations, including sending bodies of overseas graduates and the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers.
One student from the specialized agriculture Ainō High School, Ōsuke, has been training at ARI since last spring. On January 27, he presented the results of his learning to the community. While living alongside people from diverse cultural backgrounds, he deepened his studies on the farm, focusing especially on pig raising.
Another long‑term farm trainee this year, Kōshi, is a Catholic priest and a 2006 graduate of ARI. At a traditional farmhouse in Shinshū, he provides a place for farm work and community gatherings. To independently manage his own farm, he returned to ARI to learn how to operate agricultural machinery.
ARI Farm Manager Sakurai said of trainees like Ōsuke and Kōshi, “Eating is at the core of human being. There is no greater joy than producing the food you eat yourself. I want people with passion to come and learn as much as they can.”
As an open learning community, ARI will continue to offer learning opportunities to people from all walks of life in the coming year. Contact us if you are interested in training at ARI!
On January 17th, we successfully held ARI Friends Day with the generous support of many people. Thank you very much to everyone who attended!
Training Assistants Veh and Jeremiya hosted a talk session, where they shared stories of their powerful work and passion within rural communities in their home countries. Many attendees also enjoyed the cakes they made and sold as the culmination of their training.
Many first-time visitors participated in Tree Climbing®, immersing themselves in nature within our forest. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jun Tree Service for this programming.
Current working visitor Frisly Soberanis screened the short documentary film “Ways of Knowing” for which he was producer and editor. The film depicts the indomitable spirit of the Navajo people who persevered against the effects of uranium mining by the U.S. government and others on their sovereign land.
Finally, the Ohinata Marche team enlivened the Koinonia Hall with their wonderful products.
It was a day that truly highlighted our connection with our friends who support us in many different ways. We will continue to cherish and nurture these encounters and connections with you.
On January 19, ARI community held its New Year mochi(rice‑cake)pounding. Students from St. Olaf College, who are currently training at ARI, joined in as well. Taking turns with the kine (mallets), everyone warmed up as they pounded the rice, and then enjoyed the freshly made mochi together.
St. Olaf College’s (Minnesota, USA) fifth January special program at the ARI, since 2016, began on January 13 with 20 St. Olaf students and two faculty members. Focusing on the theme of Japanese food, agriculture, environment, and sustainability, the program involves living at the ARI while fully utilizing its curriculum and environment. This includes visits to farms and facilities, as well as field studies such as learning about the Nasu Canal.
On 17th January, the group travelled to Fukushima Prefecture to learn about the realities of the effects of the Nuclear Power Plant’s accident following the Great East Japan Earthquake and the path to recovery in the affected areas. The guide was Dr. Hideki Ishii of Fukushima University, who provided explanations and answered questions meticulously. The photograph shows the front of Futabaya Ryokan (Inn) in the Odaka of Minamisōma City. We had lunch there and heard from the landlady, Ms. Tomoko Kobayashi. Accompanying this tour I was struck anew by how unique the scars of the Great East Japan Earthquake in Fukushima Prefecture are, and the path the people have since followed. It was a day that also deeply impressed upon me how that journey continues, day after day, to this very moment.
Today, our entire community came together for a grand spring cleaning ahead of Friends Day. We dusted the walls, cleared away cobwebs, and used shovels to scrape off the ice from the shaded areas on the grounds and the path leading to ARI.
While the weather looks promising for the weekend, we recommend wearing shoes with good grip (deep treads) if you are concerned about slippery spots.
All of us in the community are looking forward to seeing you there!
About ARI Friends Day: https://ari.ac.jp/en/friends-day-2026/
We’ll be sharing the beautiful scenery of ARI Campus in Nasushiobara and the “now” of our farm.
We hope these glimpses of daily life at ARI bring you a moment of peace and make you feel connected to us.
Please check out our Stories (and Highlights)!
Thank you for always supporting the Asian Rural Institute. We are thrilled to announce that ARI has been awarded the “Grand Prize” in the General Category of the 15th Kubota-Mainichi Earth Future Award, organized by The Mainichi Newspapers.
This award honors organizations and individuals tackling the 21st-century global challenges of “Food,” “Water,” and the “Environment.”
We were recognized for:
🌱 Practicing a life of “Living with the Soil” with rural leaders from developing countries for about 50 years.
🌱 Maintaining a food self-sufficiency rate of over 90% through organic, chemical-free, integrated farming.
🌱 Our diverse efforts in gender equity and peacebuilding.
This achievement is thanks to all of you who support us.
🎥 Online Livestream Announcement The “Award Commemorative Activity Report Meeting” will be live-streamed on YouTube on Saturday, February 14th. Please tune in to watch ARI’s presentation and talk session.
■ Commemorative Report Meeting Date & Time: Feb 14 (Sat) 14:00–16:30 (JST) Stream URL: https://youtube.com/live/Esh_i9X7f8Y
Related Article: https://www.mainichi.co.jp/event/aw/chikyumirai/
We will continue to build the foundation for “Living Together.” Please “Like” and share this post to share this joy with as many people as possible!
Thank you for your continued support!
We are excited to announce the main event schedule for Academic Year 2026 (April 2026 – March 2027). We look forward to sharing the joy of “Living Together” with you again this year through encounters with Rural Leaders from around the world.
AY 2025 is not over yet! Don’t miss these upcoming opportunities to visit ARI:
Jan 17 (Sat): ARI Friends Day (Next week!)
Feb 7 (Sat): JOCS Report Session (Details coming soon)
AY 2026 Annual Schedule
Spring March: Arrival of New Participants April: Opening Ceremony / Used Book Fair May: English Farm Camp
Summer August: Used Book Market
Autumn October: Harvest Thanksgiving Celebration November: Used Book Market / West Japan Caravan
Winter December: Commencement Ceremony January: ARI Friends Day February: Overseas Graduate Study Tour
Regular Programs
– Campus Mini Eco Tour (Bi-monthly from May) A guided tour of our organic farm and environmental initiatives.
– Chokotto (Casual) Farm & Forest (Monthly) Experience farming and forestry work. (*Sessions may be skipped in April or August due to heat. Details to be announced.)
Watch all our online events again!
Join the ARI life with family and friends!
We're looking for on-campus volunteers
