SENIOR SERVICE
JAPAN

Japan faces an ageing population and disappearing rural communities as the young move to the city in search of work. After this March's Tsunami event devastated parts of the countryside it became apparent there weren't even enough young people to help with the reconstruction effort. 'Shunran-no-Sato' was set up by a group of elderly people to help keep their village alive. The project offers ecotourism with guestrooms in the villagers' own homes and an opportunity to take part in traditional agricultural activities. It now caters for nearly 5,000 visitors a year as young urbanites come back to the country to rediscover their traditional culture and reconnect with the land outside the megacities.