Okinawa, located at the northern limit of the tropics and the southern limit of the temperate zone, is rich in biodiversity. As the former Ryukyu Kingdom, it has a history of flourishing through trade with Southeast Asian nations and is also home to a culturally diverse immigrant population, with an estimated 400,000 people of Okinawan descent living abroad. Having lost one-fourth of its population during World War II, experienced 27 years under U.S. military rule, and still hosting 70% of U.S. military bases in Japan, Okinawa has cultivated a resilient spirit of empathy and acceptance of diversity, particularly among its elderly population.

Spanning 1,000 kilometers east-west and 400 kilometers north-south, Okinawa Prefecture is home to 38 inhabited remote islands. Of these, only three islands have high schools, despite 29 islands having elementary and junior high schools. Most children leave their islands at age 15 to attend high school elsewhere and rarely return. Moreover, these islands often lack basic infrastructure—no hospitals, supermarkets, convenience stores, public buses, or taxis. The same legal and regulatory frameworks apply as in urban areas, yet licensing requirements make it extremely difficult to offer essential services.

These islands serve as a microcosm of Japan, and by working with diverse island residents on various initiatives, we can identify and implement solutions relevant nationwide.

Rather than relying on the logic of numbers found in large cities and corporations, focusing on enriching each individual’s “heart and life” on these islands may also resonate with people living in depopulated rural areas and the wider public.

Experiences on remote islands

Cultivate Inc., based in Okinawa Prefecture, has worked for over 25 years in collaboration with local and national government agencies to revitalize depopulated islands and rural areas. The company supports product development based on local natural and cultural resources (e.g., experiential tours, specialty goods), capacity building, and tourism promotion. According to CEO Rika Hiraki (Higa), the most important value upheld is ensuring that local residents are the primary drivers and protagonists. Drawing on the knowledge of researchers, industry experts, travelers, and migrants, the company aims to uncover and polish local treasures, build systems for welcoming visitors, and establish methods for passing these treasures to future generations.

Cultivate Inc. has organized an annual government-supported program (Okinawa Remote Island Experience Exchange Promotion Project) for 16 years, sending fifth-grade elementary school students (around age 10-11) from Okinawa’s main island to stay in private homes on remote islands.

There, guided by locals, children experience the island’s nature and culture firsthand. This initiative fosters mutual joy and reward—beyond monetary gain—for both children and islanders. To date, around 32,000 children and 2,100 teachers have participated. The project has supported 26 regions across 23 islands in developing their organization, human resources, and experience programs. Some islands that launched homestay-style accommodations through this project generated over 220 million yen in 2019 alone from school trips originating on the mainland. The program created momentum among residents, teachers, schools, and operators, invigorating both children and adults. Tourism infrastructure took root on the islands, and schools became more proactive in fostering student growth through the project. The more engaged the schools were, the more they observed increased student initiative, classroom cohesion, and growth among students facing challenges. By combining elements such as urban and remote islands, elders and children, analog and digital, and island treasures, honest conversations and collaborative efforts brought about one miracle after another.

Moving forward, Cultivate Inc. aims to leverage this experience by creating spaces that bring together passionate adults—from wartime survivors to socially conscious young entrepreneurs—and diverse children, regardless of background or age, facilitated by university students. In partnership with public agencies, Cultivate Inc. will expand community bases using mobile trailer houses. These activities will nurture sensibilities capable of envisioning a bright future and promote actions that inspire wisdom and courage.

The Inochi Forum will continue to collaborate with organizations such as Cultivate Inc., advancing initiatives that combine different elements—urban and rural, elderly and children, analog and digital—and foster honest conversations that generate wisdom, courage, and miracles.

[References]

・Initiative combining child development and remote island revitalization via Okinawa Remote Island Experience Exchange Promotion Project:
https://youtu.be/avEMxm7foS4

・Remote Island Experience Pamphlet:

https://x.gd/wMAOD

[Action Platform]

Education and Children / Diversity & Inclusion

[SDGs]