Okayama’s Maniwa, a model city for sustainable rural revitalization

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Maniwa in north-central Okayama won this year’s Sustainable Japan Excellence Award in the satoyama category, presented by The Japan Times...

Mita Kosan develops real estate, community in central Tokyo area

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Mita Kosan Co. Ltd., a real estate developer and leasing company, is housed in an office building right across the...

Tottori shares ideas on revitalizing rural economies

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

The fourth annual event to share experiences about revitalizing rural economies through effectively using existing resources was held at the...

Old-growth paper company Oji renews forests, products, vision

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Oji Holdings, Japan’s leading paper manufacturer, is also its largest corporate forest owner. It studies and develops paper products and...

NTT sustainable smart city effort is developing tools for well-being

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

As envisioned in its new fundamental principle, “Innovating a sustainable future for people and planet,” the NTT group has been...

Organization strives to empower women in society, the workplace

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

The Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative is based in Boston and aims to empower women in Japan to play leadership roles...

Tapping into the great potential of rural areas

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Kosuke Motani Senior researcher at the Japan Research Institute The satoyama panel session featured four winners of the Sustainable Japan...

Tottori, home of premium wagyu, offers great diversity of delicacies

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Western Japan’s Tottori Prefecture, lying on the Sea of Japan and boasting the famous Mount Daisen and other peaks, has...

Seaside Hayama gets businesses, citizens working for environment

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

The town of Hayama in Kanagawa Prefecture won the Satoyama Excellence Award in the fourth Sustainable Japan Award organized by...

Suntory replenishes a century of water stewardship

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

This year is the 100th anniversary of Japan’s first malt whisky distillery, established in the Yamazaki district of the town...

Businesswomen challenge selves at ICWB conference

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

On the morning of July 9, more than 1,000 people from around the world gathered online for the International Conference...

Satoyama Experience offers rural experiences, revitalization

Maiko Muraoka Contributing writer

Taku Yamada and his wife traveled around the world before they decided to start the tour company Chura-boshi in the...