#Japan #Agriculture #Chūō City #Yamanashi #Junior Ambassador

Launch of the Yamanashi Junior Ambassador Program

The much-anticipated Yamanashi Junior Ambassador Program officially commenced on December 13, with the goal of empowering children to become advocates for Yamanashi’s beauty and uniqueness. The initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of local enthusiasts who will share their love for the region while understanding its challenges through a series of engaging experiences.

The first day kicked off at the “Michi no Eki Toyotomi” in Chuo City, where participants embarked on a journey to learn about local agriculture, special products, and the role that roadside stations play in the community. This dynamic program emphasizes active learning, urging children not only to observe but also to articulate their thoughts and insights on what they experience.

Upon arrival, the day began with an orientation that eased initial nervousness among the participants through introductions and ice-breaking activities. As the day progressed, smiles replaced apprehensive expressions, creating an environment ripe with anticipation for the learning to unfold. Children were informed about the current state of agriculture in Yamanashi and Chuo City, including issues such as the shortage of successors in farming, and how the balance between production and demand affects prices. This knowledge transformed their understanding of vegetables from mere products on store shelves to crucial elements of local challenges.

They also engaged in hands-on activities, learning how to package and display products effectively. Questions like “How can we arrange these vegetables to attract customers?” and “What makes this specific vegetable unique?” highlighted a shift from passive listening to active involvement in their education. Discovering that the local specialty vegetable, “Chijimi Spinach,” is only available during the limited harvest season of October to December sparked significant interest and curiosity among the children.

The day included recreational activities like bouncing on a fluffy dome and playing tag, which facilitated relaxation and rapport-building among participants. These moments of fun helped forge bonds that would serve as a foundation for their subsequent group activities and presentations. For dinner, they enjoyed a locally-sourced meal featuring an array of ingredients from Yamanashi and Chuo City, reinforcing the lessons learned throughout the day. The meal connected the children’s educational experiences with their real lives, making the learning tangible.

As a way to conclude the day, participants crafted thank-you letters for those at the roadside station and designed promotional POP materials to advertise “Chijimi Spinach.” This exercise allowed them to express their understanding creatively while fostering a mindset of conveying their knowledge.

The underlying theme of the first day was the vital balance between learning and enjoyment. By intertwining experiential learning with opportunities for self-expression, children began transforming complex regional issues into their own narratives.

Looking ahead, the second day promises exciting activities, including the highly anticipated winter vegetable harvesting experience. Through interactions on the farm and dialogues with local individuals, they will deepen their comprehension of Yamanashi's agricultural practices.

On the final day of the program, a presentation is scheduled for the governor, themed around generating ideas to inspire a desire among others to visit Yamanashi. The experiences gathered over these four days aim to empower the children to articulate their love for Yamanashi in their unique voices, thus shaping the region's future.

Program Overview

• - Name: Yamanashi Junior Ambassador Program
• - Target Audience: Ages 9 to 12 (Grade 3 to 6)
• - Dates: December 13 (Saturday) – December 16 (Tuesday), 2025 (3 nights, 4 days)
• - Location: Base at Silky Friends, 1619-1 Otorii, Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture
• - Organizer: Imajina Co., Ltd.
• - Cooperation: Yamanashi Prefecture
• - Special site: Yamanashi Junior Ambassador Program