Revitalizing Old Communities with New Life: Japan's Chiiki Okoshi Kyōryokutai | JAPAN Forward
Young participant of Chiiki Okoshi Kyoryokutai speaking with local community members in Besshi Village, Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture at a streamside picnic. (Photo provided by Dr Robert D Eldridge) Over the past decade, a quiet revolution has been happening in Japan’s countryside. It involves the relocation of hundreds, and now thousands, of motivated and talented people. They are both young and old, contributing their time, energy, sweat, skill sets, and passion to communities throughout the country in an effort to revitalize them. Today, more than half of Japan’s municipalities are participating in the program known as Chiiki Okoshi Kyōryokutai, or “Local Vitalization Cooperator” (in Japanese-English). Nearly 1,100 villages, towns, cities, and prefectures are taking part in the program funded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). The program started in FY 2009. Prior to that, in July 2008, the position of Director General was established within the secret
Today there are 6015 participants in 1085 communities across the country bringing new blood, new ideas, and new energy to the communities they live and work in. Young participant of Chiiki Okoshi Kyoryokutai speaking with local community members in Besshi Village, Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture at a streamside picnic. (Photo provided by Dr Robert D Eldridge) Over the past decade, a quiet revolution has been happening in Japan’s countryside. It involves the relocation of hundreds, and now thousands, of motivated and talented people. They are both young and old, contributing their time, energ
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