After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Minamisanriku Town has been working toward recovery by creating a new community based on the sustainable use and circulation of local resources. Guided by the town’s vision, “Minamisanriku: MORI SATO UMI HITO INOCHI MEGURU MACHI (A town where life is interconnected and circulates among forests, villages, the sea, and people),”  local residents and businesses are actively taking part in a wide range of community-driven initiatives.

Located in Minamisanriku Town, the Center for Sustainable Society supports these efforts by conducting local environmental research, incorporating knowledge from researchers in Japan and around the world, and creating opportunities for collaboration between industry and academia. The Center also offers diverse training programs to nurture the people who will shape the future of a sustainable society.

In addition, through the operation of the Minamisanriku Communities of Life Forum (Minamisanriku INOCHI MEGURU MACHI GAKKAI)—a platform for sharing ideas and building partnerships among those involved in community development—the Center works to strengthen local connections and encourage new projects and initiatives.