The Local Vitalization Cooperator program, a Japanese community empowerment version of the Peace Corps, has deployed more than 6,500 paid volunteers from Hokkaido to Okinawa since it started in 2009. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and...
“Womanhood in Japan” series column rounds up Japanese news related to women’s daily experiences of sexism here and considers what we can do to increase the pace of change. In a new low, ruling party equates scantily clad women with diversity Japan’s...
Do you know about the Japanese roadside station “Michinoeki,” where drivers can rest while exploring local roads? Functioning effectively in various ways, Michinoeki provides numerous benefits beyond mere rest stops. They also help...
Last month, Kitakyushu Marathon featured official limited-edition T-shirts crafted from JEPLAN Corporation’s BLANK APPAREL™, an initiative that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This move underscores a growing trend in the...
When it comes to addressing environmental issues in the fashion industry, circular fashion is gaining considerable attention. Unlike the conventional practice of disposing of unwanted items, circular fashion aims to generate zero waste through...
The conversation around sustainability and biodiversity is growing bigger every year, and now a unique initiative in Japan is making significant strides towards these while simultaneously championing women’s empowerment. The “WOMEN FOR...
The Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards ceremony took place in Berlin on March 6. Ten regions in Japan were selected for the Top 100 list, with two of these being specially invited to the ceremony as they were recognized for achieving a higher...
Junkan Fes will be returning next month, April 7, at Umekoji Park’s Shichijo Entrance Plaza, in an effort to engage the younger generation in the practices of recycling and reuse, and to strengthen local connections. This year’s first...
Circular apparel brand PIZZA DAY has announced the development of biodegradable boxer shorts. This release, which is targeted for a spring release, follows the successful launch of a merino wool T-shirt last October, marking the brand’s second...
A small truck named COEXIST, run by 28-year-old Keita Sugawara, sells sustainable products made in Japan. He has built and mounted a wooden mobile shop on the back of a pickup truck, using timber from forest thinning in Tokyo, to showcase eco...