Japan
December 04, 2023
Food Loss and Waste in Japan: Issues and Initiatives
A lot of food that is still edible and safe for consumption ends up being thrown away as food loss and waste. This is a ...
June 28, 2023
Blue Carbon Trends and Initiatives in Japan
Japan is surrounded by ocean. There is growing momentum here for "blue carbon" initiatives, which can effectively addres...
May 09, 2023
'Well-being Indicators' - The Pillar of Toyama Prefecture's Growth Strategies
Toyama Prefecture in Japan has a unique initiative that uses well-being as a pillar of its growth strategy. In this arti...
February 25, 2023
"Circular Village," Osaki Town: The Efforts of Japan's Top-Ranked Recycling Municipality
How on Earth can a municipality reach a recycling rate of over 80%, as the town of Osaki in Kagoshima Prefecture has don...
December 23, 2022
Making Charcoal Makes the Future Happy: The Promise of Atami's Future Carbonization Unit
With the idea of producing charcoal to create a happy future, a new initiative installed a "Future Carbonization Unit" c...
October 25, 2022
Learning Together and Creating a Better Future: The For Future Youth Team
In this article we report on a six-month program called "For Future Youth Team," which provides a space for learning and...
June 29, 2022
Solutions Here! Ama Town's Innovative Ideas are Attracting People to This Island Community in Japan
Ama Town in Shimane Prefecture is renowned for its many unique and innovative initiatives as a leader in community revit...
April 27, 2022
Workplace Simulation of Work-Life Balance with Children: Kirin Holdings' "Nari-Kirin Mom/Dad Training"
In Japan, it is common to find workplaces that don't provide adequate conditions for employees to continue working while...
March 28, 2022
Creating Local Disaster Preparedness Networks: Hiroshi Hida Shares His Expert Tips
Eleven years have passed since the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster of March 2011. In the disaster-stricken region...
February 25, 2022
Izusan Disaster Recovery Support in Atami, Japan: Seven Month Activity Report
We express our deepest sympathies to the victims and pray sincerely for those who lost their lives in a landslide that o...
January 28, 2022
Leadership Development Through Youth Councils and Parliaments: Initiatives of Yuza Town in Yamagata Prefecture
Leadership Development Through Youth Councils and Parliaments: Initiatives of Yuza Town in Yamagata Prefecture Among the...
December 24, 2021
'100-Year Vision of Forests' Attracts New Residents and Ventures to Nishiawakura Village (Okayama)
The village of Nishiawakura in Okayama Prefecture, sharing borders with Hyogo and Tottori Prefectures, has been attracti...
November 26, 2021
Restoring the Abundance of the Ocean: Blue Carbon Initiatives to Curb Global Warming
Junko Edahiro, president of Miraisozobu (dba in English as the "For Future Company") and also president of ISHES, starte...
October 26, 2021
Local Renewable Energy Production for Local Consumption in Odawara, Inspired by 'Houtoku' (Repaying Kindness)
Odawara is a city of about 188,000 in Kanagawa Prefecture along Japan's Pacific coast. A unique endeavor is being undert...
September 27, 2021
Kyoto Shinkin Bank Attracts Customers with Transformed Business Model and No Sales quotas
What is your impression of banks and other financial institutions? For some they conjure up images of being somewhat sti...
September 01, 2021
The 'Kodomo-Shokudo' Movement -- Ever-Adapting Support for Communities in Japan
Due to the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, people had to refrain from various activities. Meanwhile, throughout Japan, a mov...
August 04, 2021
Message from Junko Edahiro
At 11 a.m. on July 3 (Saturday), a landslide struck the Izusan district of my home town of Atami City. Since then nearly...
August 02, 2021
Japan's Initiatives on Plastics
Marine plastic waste has become an urgent issue as some studies have suggested that there will be more plastic than fish...
June 28, 2021
Community development with Junko Edahiro's "Hop, Step, Jump!" approach
The president of the Institute for Studies in Happiness, Economy and Society (ISHES), Junko Edahiro, has assisted many c...
May 26, 2021
Gaining Momentum! Japan's Decarbonization Efforts
What impressions do you have about Japan's decarbonization efforts? Some readers may know that Japan has been criticized...
