#Japan #Sustainable Development #Doronko Group #Minami Uonuma

New Horizons in Sustainable Community Development

On September 2, 2026, a significant event will unfold in Minami Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, as the Doronko Group enters into a comprehensive partnership with the city aimed at promoting sustainable community development. This partnership, which focuses on multiple areas such as wildlife damage mitigation, child-rearing support, and community revitalization, represents a significant step toward enhancing the attractiveness of Minami Uonuma.

The partnership agreement is set to be formalized at a signing ceremony attended by prominent figures, including Minami Uonuma City Mayor Shigeo Hayashi, Doronko Group President Yuichiro Takahori, and Director Aika Yasunaga. The ceremony will feature an overview of the agreement, signing exchanges, greetings from representatives, a commemorative photo, and a Q&A session.

Event Details

• - Date: September 2, 2026
• - Time: 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
• - Location: Minami Uonuma City Hall, Reception Room (180-1 Mukai-machi, Minami Uonuma City)

Following the signing ceremony, there will be an opportunity for media representatives to visit a new facility, “Minami Uonuma Brewery & Gibier (MUBG) with Takibi no Daidokoro,” set to open on September 4, 2026. This facility combines a glass-walled gibier processing facility, a craft brewery, and a restaurant that emphasizes food education.

Facility Overview

The MUBG facility aims to tackle local issues such as abandoned farmland, wildlife damage, and food waste through activities rooted in community engagement. The collaborative effort will incorporate aspects of wildlife damage countermeasures, natural environment preservation, resource recycling, and support for local industries and employment.

Historical Background

The Doronko Group, which has been serving children through engaging childcare practices, forged a connection with Minami Uonuma City through rice planting and harvest experiences since 2003. Over the years, their collaboration has led to the establishment of the Minami Uonuma Production Cooperative in 2013, which promotes sustainable rice farming with reduced pesticide use. In 2016, Takahori obtained a hunting license to participate in rice paddy preservation activities, culminating in the opening of the Minami Uonuma Doronko Nursery School in 2017.

The upcoming facility will mark the culmination of these 23 years of collaboration, addressing pressing local challenges through innovative solutions.

Key Features of the New Facility

1. Gibier Processing Facility: The entire process, from wildlife capture to product creation, will be transparently conducted behind glass, providing educational experiences on food sourcing and conservation for children.
2. Brewery: The first-floor brewery will utilize hops grown in previously abandoned fields to craft local beer, actively contributing to agricultural sustainability and local job creation.
3. Restaurant: The second-floor “Takibi no Daidokoro” will serve dishes featuring gibier meat paired with seasonal local vegetables, further stimulating economic growth and community involvement.

Location and Accessibility

• - Name: Minami Uonuma Brewery & Gibier (MUBG) with Takibi no Daidokoro
• - Location: 37-38 Oki, Minami Uonuma City, Niigata Prefecture
• - Opening Date: September 4, 2026
• - Management: Minami Uonuma Production Cooperative (Doronko Group)
• - Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Shiozawa-Ishiuchi IC, 15 minutes from Mukai-machi IC, and about 7 minutes from JR Joetsu Line “Joetsu Kokusai Ski Resort” Station.

Representative Comments

Mayor Shigeo Hayashi expressed his optimism about the agreement: “This partnership will leverage our strengths to address regional challenges and promote sustainable development.”

Yuichiro Takahori, the CEO of Doronko Group, noted, “Our relationship started 23 years ago with child rice planting experiences. We aspire to give back to the people and nature of this region through this partnership. Together, we will create a new future for Minami Uonuma.”

Media Inquiries

For media coverage inquiries, please submit your request through the provided Doronko Group application form by September 1, 2026.

End note

Doronko Group is dedicated to nurturing children's potential through various initiatives, including child-rearing, developmental support, agricultural projects, and career training. As a group comprising various associated organizations, they strive to achieve significant impacts in the lives of around 10,900 beneficiaries.

• - Website: Doronko Group
• - Social Media: Find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube to follow our journey.