Have you heard of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Are you curious about how you can contribute to making the world a better place? Your journey begins here, as we delve into what SDGs are and how you can get involved in Japan.
SDGs stand for Sustainable Development Goals, a set of 17 interconnected objectives established by the United Nations to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and more. These goals cover areas like gender equality, clean water, and sustainable cities, aiming to create a safer and better world for future generations. The target is to achieve all 17 SDGs by 2030.
You can visit the United Nations Development Programme website to learn more :).
One of the most exciting things about living in Osaka right now is that the 2025 World Expo is just around the corner! The event will run for six months and continue through October 13th, 2025 (and yes, I’ll definitely be writing more about it soon haha).
The Expo and the SDGs go hand-in-hand, with the Expo acting as a global exchange of culture, technology, and forward-thinking ideas. Countries from around the world will gather to share innovations that aim to solve global issues—many of which are rooted in SDG principles.
If you’re visiting or living in Osaka during this time, keep your eyes open! You’ll see lots of local SDG efforts as Japanese citizens and companies team up to support sustainability and the goals of the World Expo.
Let me introduce you to a beautiful example of SDGs in action—Nakagawa Forestry in Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture.
I had the chance to sit down with the incredible Masaya Nakagawa-san (founder and employee) and his mother, Fumie Nakagawa-san (company director). Their business focuses on something called silviculture—the art and science of planting and nurturing trees rather than cutting them down.
Their work emphasizes long-term forest care, starting from something as small as a single acorn seed, which they care for with love until it’s strong enough to thrive in the mountains.
Isn’t that just the sweetest metaphor for life?
Their company has won numerous awards, including the Environmental Startup Pitch Award by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, as well as recognition for their efforts in regional revitalization and eco-focused business development.
What made this moment so special for me is that Tanabe is like a second home. I’ve written about it in countless blog posts. To have a real conversation with community leaders like the Nakagawa’s was such an eye-opener. They’re not just running a business—they’re building a legacy.
I hope this inspires more foreigners living in Japan to connect with local heroes in their own neighborhoods. It’s not just important for cultural exchange, but also for global understanding. And let’s be real—how amazing would it be if more of us could volunteer in spaces that promote sustainability, like agriculture and forest conservation?
This is the link to their website: https://nakagawa-forestry.com/
One thing I learned from this exchange is that you don’t have to do something huge to make a big impact. Every small action counts. Picking up trash, using a reusable bottle, or volunteering for just a day still moves the world forward.
If you’re not near Tanabe, no problem! There are still plenty of ways you can make a difference from wherever you are in Japan. Check out these opportunities:
Want to help but not sure where to start? Here are three simple ways to contribute daily:
At the end of the day, you matter—and so does your impact.
I really hope this blog inspires you to start volunteering, no matter how big or small your contribution. The world needs more people like you, and there’s no better time than now to figure out what role you can play in your community, in Japan, and beyond.
Wishing you lots of love, joy, and good vibes as you make your mark on the world.
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