From "Transportation" to Supporting "Encounter": Raising Funds for Accommodation and Training Expenses with a Next Goal of 2.2 Million Yen Through September 30.

The crowdfunding campaign "Living Kindly with Neighbors," launched on Saturday, August 1, 2026, by Asian Rural Institute (Location: Nasushiobara, Tochigi; Representative: Toshimasa Yamamoto), reached its initial target of 1,000,000 yen on its very first day. To cover the expenses for the participants' stay, the institute has set a Next Goal of 2,200,000 yen and will continue fundraising through Wednesday, September 30.

A Challenge Launched Amid an Unanticipated Funding Gap Reaches Target on Day One

Since its founding in 1973, Asian Rural Institute (ARI) has conducted a 9-month training program for rural community leaders from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions. This campaign seeks to raise funds for the "Western Japan Study Tour," which serves as the culmination of the program held every November.

The tour is a 12-day, 3,000 km round-trip journey by microbus, visiting places like Minamata, Hiroshima, and Osaka to face Japan’s "history of pain and regeneration." However, as anticipated grant funding was unavailable for this fiscal year's program, coupled with rising costs driven by inflation and the weak yen, ARI decided to turn to crowdfunding.

As a result, the campaign reached its initial target of 1,000,000 yen on day one, accompanied by a flood of supportive messages.

From "Transportation" to Supporting "Encounter"

The 1,000,000 yen raised covers the transportation portion of the required budget. ARI has now set a Next Goal of 2,200,000 yen to cover accommodation, food, and training fees during their stay:

Community interaction and testimonial honoraria in Minamata: Approx. 80,000 JPY

Accommodation in Hiroshima (2 nights): Approx. 110,000 JPY

Accommodation at Aino Gakuen: Approx. 70,000 JPY

Museum admission fees and audio guides: Approx. 20,000 JPY

Other accommodation, food, and training expenses

"This Is What Is Happening in My Own Country" — What is the Western Japan Study Tour?

During the study tour, participants visit the following locations to witness first-hand the societal challenges Japan has faced, including environmental pollution, histories of discrimination, and the scars of war:

Machida (Rural Mission Seminary): Discovering the roots of ARI’s educational philosophy

Hamamatsu (Seirei Social Welfare Community, Seirei Christopher Junior and Senior High School): Learning the pioneering spirit of healthcare and social welfare

Iga (Aino Gakuen Agricultural High School): Engaging with Japan’s only private agricultural high school teaching organic farming

Osaka (NPO Kamagasaki Support Organization, Kansai Okinawa Bunko, Korea NGO Center, etc.): Confronting histories of discrimination

Minamata (Karatachi, Minamata Disease Museum, Kibou/Mirai/Minamata, etc.): Hearing directly from those affected by Minamata disease

Hiroshima (Peace Memorial Museum, Peace Memorial Park, etc.): Learning the preciousness of peace from atomic bomb survivor memory preservers

Upon completing the tour, participants often remark, "This is what is happening in my own country," or "Although I was looking at Japan, it felt like I was looking at my own country." Realizing that despite differences in nations and challenges, the pain people carry shares common ground serves as a driving force in their activities after returning home.

Toward a Next Goal of 2.2 Million Yen

The 1,000,000 yen raised covers the transportation portion of the required budget. As accommodation, food, and training fees are needed to execute the entire tour, ARI has set a Next Goal of 2,200,000 yen and will continue seeking support through September 30.

Transportation (microbus, ferry, etc.): Approx. 1,000,000 JPY (Achieved)

Accommodation & Food: Approx. 1,000,000 JPY

Training Expenses (facility usage, speaker honoraria, etc.): Approx. 200,000 JPY

"We are astonished to see such overwhelming support on the very first day, and we feel a deep sense of responsibility. The way forward for our participants to reach the sites has been secured. In a world of growing division, so many people have recognized the need for this program—which fosters the strength to face histories of pain and live kindly alongside our neighbors. We are determined to make this tour worthy of these expectations. Now, we hope to support the encounters awaiting them at those destinations together with all of you."

Campaign Overview

Project Title: Crowdfunding Campaign "Living Kindly with Our Neighbors"

Campaign Period: Saturday, August 1, 2026 – Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Initial Goal: 1,000,000 JPY (Achieved on Day 1)

Next Goal: 2,200,000 JPY

URL: https://ari.ac.jp/campaign/update

Organizer: Asian Rural Institute

Target Program: Western Japan Study Tour (Scheduled for November 2026, 12 days, ~3,000 km round-trip, 22 participants from 13 countries)

About Asian Rural Institute (ARI)

Name: Asian Rural Institute

Address: 442-1 Tsukuisawa, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi 329-2703, Japan

Representative: Toshimasa Yamamoto

Established: 1973

Main Activities: Operation of training programs for rural community leaders from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions