One Slash

" Rice is Comedy "

Available all year round

〜The Current State of “Regional Revitalization” in Japan〜
 
Since my return to Japan four years ago (after living abroad for 30 years), I have been hearing about "regional revitalization". This national strategy of refocusing on and reviving our rural economy has gained momentum across Japan as a way to secure the country’s future.
 
Urban population concentration, also a global phenomenon, is the main drive for this revitalization plan. Young Japanese move from rural areas to cities where there are more educational and job opportunities. The resulting population imbalance overwhelms the cities’ resources while the rural regions grapple with decreasing population and economic stagnation. In recent years, various initiatives have focused on reversing this trend and rejuvenating rural regions.

The government has rolled out policies like relocation subsidies, job support, and funding for local products. Although more people are moving to rural areas, the pace remains slow. Such incentives cannot sustain the interest or encourage people to settle down in the rural areas unless they feel emotionally connected to the land. Therefore initiatives undertaken by people strongly attached to their hometowns, are more impactful and lasting. 
 
With this same conviction, five childhood friends from Nishiazai, Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture, started their own regional revitalization efforts with the founding of “One Slash”.
 
~ Love for Hometown: The Challenge of “One Slash” ~
 
Nishiazai, a town near Lake Biwa in Nagahama City, is rich in natural beauty. And it is in this city that five boys played and grew up together before they took different paths in life — some went to live abroad, others found work in other cities and some inherited the family business. No matter where they were, they followed developments in their hometown closely. By this time, the population in Nishiazai was declining and farming activity was reduced.
 
The deep affection these five youths had for their hometown led them to reunite and found “One Slash” in 2016. They were determined to revive the rural economy by rediscovering and reimagining the region’s “treasures” including its history, geography, natural surroundings, and crafts. This gave birth to “Rice is Comedy”, which celebrates Nishiazai’s rice and local heritage, and re-energizes the community at the same time.
 
The efforts of One Slash mark a shift in the approach of regional revitalization in Japan. One Slash’s actions and projects prove that true revitalization must come from within, and be driven by those who care about the land. Their approach underscores that strong emotional connections between people and land have a lasting impact on revitalization.
 
~ The Rice of "Rice is Comedy" Born from Lake Biwa’s Bounty ~
 
Have you heard of “Lake Biwa and the Mother Lake Goals (MLGs)”? “Mother Lake” here refers to Lake Biwa (the largest freshwater lake in Japan) which is integral to the activities of the residents living around it. Lake Biwa and MLGs is a movement that aims to preserve the agriculture, fishing, and ecosystems around Lake Biwa. In July 2022, the Lake Biwa System was registered as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage system which brings together the traditional fisheries and rice paddies nurtured by forests, villages and lakes, and protects the rich environment of Lake Biwa. 
 
In Nishiazai Town, rice has been cultivated in harmony with Lake Biwa’s ecosystem for centuries. The founders of One Slash thus launched “Rice is Comedy” to share the rice heritage in their hometown with the world. They learnt about the ways to cultivate rice and the reasons for its delicious taste. Scientific analysis affirmed the quality of the rice, and re-ignited pride in this local product.
 
To further promote the rice, they held a unique rice-cooking event to cook and serve fresh Nishiazai rice on-site. It was a memorable event which not only attracted new supporters but also turned in a steady profit.
 
The significance of “Rice is Comedy” goes beyond its delicious taste; it is “special” because it embodies the passion and connection between its people and the land. Those who have tasted the rice describe each rice grain as having a “presence”, reminiscent of the town’s beauty, and reflective of the pride and love the people have for their land.
 
While Japan boasts of many varieties of delicious rice, “Rice is Comedy” stands out. The uniqueness of its rice stems from the deep commitment of these five “mischievous youths” of Nishiazai and their desire to protect their homeland nourished by Lake Biwa. This rice is more than just food—it encompasses a story, a rich heritage, and the love for the land.

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