[Okayama] Helping out as if you were a grandchild: "Everyone's Grandchild Project"

Trapol Editorial Department

The Trapol editoral department introduces fascinating places across Japan, including regions visited by Trapo staff who have traveled to 47 prefectures and 600 cities. We present them in an easy-to-understand manner, focusing on locally popular spots, gourmet food, and unique ways to enjoy these places as experienced by the locals.

While there are various initiatives undertaken across Japan under the banner of "Regional Revitalization," we'd like to introduce the "Minna no Mago Project" (Everyone's Grandchild Project), a rather unique endeavor where new residents and local inhabitants form relationships akin to those between "grandparents and grandchildren." This project is located in the Kamiyama district of Okayama Prefecture, a noteworthy area said to have overcome its status as a depopulated village thanks to the promotion of young people moving in.

DATE POSTEDFEB 202310

What is the "Everyone's Grandchild Project"?

A presence like a true "grandchild" helps with work.

In rural areas surrounding the Kamiyama district of Okayama Prefecture, despite the numerous tasks required for daily life, such as mowing grass around fields and houses, maintaining graves, and performing farm work, many households found themselves unable to continue these activities due to an aging population.

Therefore, the project, **"Minna no Magu Project" (Our Grandchildren Project)**, was born with the hope that by young people looking to take root in Kamiyama taking over these jobs, it would generate "income" and lead to regional revitalization.

We aim not only to work in place of the elderly but also to create relationships like "grandparents and grandchildren" for their grandchildren who live outside the village, and together achieve "solving daily life problems" and "passing on the charm of the region to the next generation." Our concept is "realizing a society where people of all ages can continue to live in the communities they wish to live in."

Becoming the representative director, "Son," was sparked by the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Team.

The "Minna no Magoji Project" (Everyone's Grandchild Project) was launched by Representative Director, "Mago" (Grandchild), Daichi Mizukaki.

Mizugaki took a leave of absence from university in 2010 and moved to Kaminoyama as a member of the Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps. He currently serves as a director of Eida Kaminoyama Tanada Dan, which is involved in the preservation of terraced rice fields in the Kaminoyama area and projects that foster exchange between urban and rural communities.

After my term as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the local elderly population due to aging, making agricultural work difficult. This experience inspired me to launch the "Minna no Magu Project" (Everyone's Grandchild Project).

From "How about a little break?" to deep connections

For elderly people living alone in a village, "wanting to talk to young people" is one of their biggest needs. The "Minna no Mago Project" (Everyone's Grandchild Project) has a system, such as arranging time to have tea together, to encourage active communication between those who request it and their grandchildren.

Not only did they ask for help with work, but by spending leisurely time together in the satoyama and talking about everything from daily life to life itself, they developed a true "grandparent and grandchild" relationship.

A casual remark in conversation can serve as a hint for young people going forward, and established relationships can make it easier to ask for small favors.

Characteristics of "Minna no Son Project," a New Business Model for Regional Revitalization

Connecting local traditions to the future generation

Despite the fact that the traditions and practical wisdom passed down through generations in our communities are invaluable even in today's digital society, opportunities to hear about them are rapidly decreasing.

Beyond simply being someone to talk to, a major feature of the "Grandchild Project" is also passing down traditional culture and cherished skills.

What kind of jobs are available? What are the fees?

What exactly can we ask the grandchildren to do? Here's a glimpse of some of their tasks.

Grass cutting, garden tree pruning, tree felling, etc. - 2,000 yen per hour

○ {% highlight %}Grave cleaning, warehouse tidying, farm work assistance{% /highlight %} and more... ¥1,500 per hour

*Travel expenses not included. Fees may vary depending on the scope of work.

Quoted from the official page of the "Minna no Magot Project"

Having tea with my grandchild and getting a discount?!

Furthermore, the "Everyone's Grandchild Project" has this unique system.

Remarkably, taking tea time with your "grandchild" during your work will get you a 500 yen discount off the total price! This is a wonderful initiative that goes beyond simply asking for "work" to be done, actively fostering deeper relationships.

Trip to meet the representative of the Everyone's Grandchild Project

Not only do we substitute for the work of the elderly, but we also extend family-like relationships into the community.

In Kamiyama, new initiatives for regional revitalization are being undertaken. At TRAPOL, we offer trips where you can meet Daichi Mizugaki, the representative director who launched such a project called the "Minna no Magos Project" (Everyone's Grandchild Project).

Why not experience a living example of life in Kaminoyama and regional revitalization firsthand?

Click here to experience life in the mountains!