#Japan #Suzu City #Community Center #Peace Winds

Introduction

On December 25, 2025, the international NGO Peace Winds Japan will inaugurate a new community center called 'Suzukko Hiroba' in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. This initiative aims to foster healthy growth for children and promote interactions across generations. The funding for this project comes from donations made by the rock duo COMPLEX, comprised of Kōji Kikkawa and Tomoyasu Hotei, in collaboration with the Noto Public-Private Partnership Reconstruction Center.

Addressing the Needs of Children

Recent natural disasters, including the Noto Peninsula Earthquake and severe flooding, have significantly affected Suzu City, leading to the destruction of public facilities and increasing the number of temporary housing units. This situation has drastically limited safe spaces for children to play, learn, and interact, which has contributed to the erosion of community ties due to population decline. Addressing the lack of safe places for children has been a pressing issue raised in local parent-child councils, highlighting the urgent need for an environment where families can feel secure.

Aiming for Sustainable Community Formation

The new facility will be located in a renovated former ceremony hall known as 'Yume Tsuzuki' and will include large play structures. 'Suzukko Hiroba' will act as a hub focused on preserving the Health of Parents and Children, in partnership with Suzu City's Health Promotion Center. Staff from Peace Winds will be present on site to facilitate various services, including:
1. Play and Learning Spaces: Designed to cater to children's developmental needs, the facility will include interactive play areas and learning opportunities that utilize digital technology. It will provide an environment where children can engage and grow while interacting with people of all ages.
2. Community Engagement: The facility will host events in coordination with local residents, organizations, and businesses, as well as activities that utilize Noto's rich natural environment.
3. Community Building and Future Outlook: By collaborating on creating safe spaces, the project will promote social skills, creativity, and disaster awareness among children. The goal is to establish a sustainable community where parents can raise their children with confidence. This initiative is a part of Suzu City's reconstruction plans and will eventually lead to the construction of an indoor community plaza.

Progress Leading to the Opening

The grant for the Noto reconstruction project was approved in July 2025. During the preliminary opening event in August, about 1,000 attendees helped vote for the name, which was ultimately decided to be 'Suzukko Hiroba.' After opening, the center will continue making necessary improvements, such as updating the flooring and incorporating disaster preparedness measures into its operation.

Future Aspirations

The objective is for 'Suzukko Hiroba' to act as a bridge to the permanent indoor community plaza that Suzu City plans to construct, thereby supporting the foundation for the region's revitalization.

Facility Overview

• - Name: Suzukko Hiroba (Announced on December 25)
• - Location: 7-78 Kamito-machi, Suzu City, Ishikawa, Japan (Peace Winds Japan Suzu Office)
• - Opening Date: December 25, 2025 (Thursday)
• - Contact: 0847-79-5801 / [email protected]
• - Official SNS: (For business hours and closed days information)

- Facebook
- Instagram

• - Usage Fee: Free
• - Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Winter)
• - Closed Days: Various upcoming closures, announced via official SNS.
• - Year-End and New Year Closure: December 28 – January 10

Peace Winds' Previous Activities in Noto

Following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024, Peace Winds quickly mobilized an emergency support team consisting of medical professionals, rescue squads, and rescue dog teams. They provided medical assistance, material support, and shelter assistance tailored to the needs of the affected regions right after the incident. In Suzu City, they facilitated the transportation of supplies and medical teams to isolated communities via helicopter and catered warm meals and sanitation management in shelters. In September 2024, during the subsequent flooding in Okunoto, the organization resumed emergency support to help communities facing compounded hardships. Currently, Peace Winds is shifting its focus from immediate relief to long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts to sustainably support the affected areas.

For detailed information about these past activities, please visit:
Peace Winds Noto Earthquake Records

Organization Overview

• - Organization Name: Peace Winds Japan
• - Founder and Executive Director: Kenji Onishi
• - Established: February 1996
• - Headquarters: 1161-2 Kanekida, Kamiishi-gun, Hiroshima, Japan
• - Tokyo Office: 2-41-12 Tomigaya, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
• - Main Activities: Overseas humanitarian aid, emergency disaster relief, local development, and animal rescue and adoption.
• - Website: Peace Winds