#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #Population Decline #Toyota Foundation

Okayama University Awarded Grant by the Toyota Foundation

On April 9, 2025, Professor Katsutoshi Ohnaka, a representative of Okayama University's Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, attended a grant award ceremony in Tokyo. The project, which focuses on the pressing issue of population decline in Japan, has been recognized under the 2024 Toyota Foundation's Special Issues Program.

In attendance at the ceremony, alongside Professor Ohnaka, was Yuji Hirose, the representative of the NPO Lantern, which collaborates with the university's project in Kume-Nan Town, Okayama. During the event, Professor Ohnaka was presented with the award certificate by Nobuhiro Kodaira, the chairman of the Toyota Foundation.

The core of this project, titled "Building a New Business Model to Support Depopulated Areas through Co-creation by Young Practitioners and Academic Researchers," aims to construct a flexible business model that effectively responds to local issues in areas affected by population decline. Specifically, it seeks to train 'multi-workers' who can operate in various fields such as life support, infrastructure maintenance, and resource management, areas that are often underserved by local governments and businesses. Moreover, the project aims to establish organizational frameworks tailored to local characteristics, with plans for implementation in Kume-Nan Town and possible expansion to other regions. The overarching goal is to foster sustainable local communities.

In his remarks during the award ceremony, Professor Ohnaka emphasized the importance of addressing challenges faced in Japan's mountainous and rural regions, stating, "The mountainous areas are at the forefront of issues that Japan as a whole will increasingly face. Therefore, creating new systems with the community here has significant implications. By combining practical and academic strengths, we aim to develop models that can benefit the future."

This initiative is part of Okayama University's broader efforts under what is known as the 'Mountainous Area Revitalization Project', led by Professor Yasuhiko Hayashi, as well as the Cabinet Office's program aimed at strengthening innovation environments in regional core universities.

Okayama University remains committed to addressing challenges in mountainous regions through collaborative, practical research efforts. The university expects these initiatives to contribute to the sustainable development of society. As a distinct regional core research university, Okayama University looks forward to your continued support and interest in its work.

Additional Information

Toyota Foundation 2024 Program
Okayama University Graduate School
Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization, Okayama University

For further inquiries:

Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-Creation Organization.
1-1-1 Tsushima Naka, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.
Phone: +81-86-251-8918
Email: co-creation◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp (replace ◎ with @)

Okayama University Media Portal OTD
SDGs Initiatives by Okayama University

Conclusion

As a nationally recognized university committed to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Okayama University continues to foster academic excellence and community collaboration. Its innovative projects aim to pave the way for a better future, enhancing the quality of life in regional societies through research and practical solutions.