Thank you, as always, for your warm support!

Our Western Japan Study Tour crowdfunding campaign, "Living Kindly with Neighbors," launched on August 1st, has now reached the Next Goal of ¥2.2 million that we set out to achieve. As of August 12th, total donations stand at ¥2,202,899, from 147 supporters, with 125 messages of encouragement.

We were already filled with surprise and gratitude when we reached our first goal of ¥1 million — covering transportation costs — on the very first day. Now, just 12 days after launch, we have reached the full goal amount, including lodging, meals, and training costs, and we feel both a deep sense of realization and joy in knowing that it is your support that makes our rural community leaders' training possible.

• Transportation (microbus, ferry, etc.): approx. ¥1,000,000
• Lodging and meals: approx. ¥1,000,000
• Training costs (facility fees, lecturer honoraria, etc.): approx. ¥200,000

This year's challenge began under difficult circumstances, after a grant we had counted on in previous years was not approved — and yet 147 supporters reached out, each with their own heartfelt generosity.

Throughout this time, we have shared many stories about our participants and this study tour: the experiences behind the flyer we distributed for Minamata, the "servant leadership" we learn from Seirei Social Welfare Community in Hamamatsu, our reflections marking the anniversaries of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, and the words of Mr. Steven Leeper, former Chairman of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, who described ARI as "a model for graduating from a civilization of power to a civilization of love." We feel that the 125 messages of encouragement we received are proof that you truly responded to each and every one of these stories.

This November, with your support, 22 rural community leaders will set out on this Western Japan Study Tour. The lessons they carry home from Japan's history of "pain and rebirth" will, in time, be passed on to their own countries and communities.

The campaign is still ongoing. We will continue to share our participants' stories through activity reports and social media. While we have met our goal, if there is anyone around you who does not yet know about this effort, we would be grateful if you could introduce them to it.

Once again, we offer our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your support.

Asian Rural Institute