Aiming to create a clean and comfortable living environment: From 'Don't Know' to 'Can Do' – Holding a 'Local Waste Separation' event with foreign residents

Village House Management Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Tatsuhiko Iwamoto; hereinafter 'Village House') held an event titled 'Danchi de Clean Day ~Learn and Practice Waste Separation~' at 'Village House Oike' in Kani City, Gifu Prefecture, on Saturday, April 11, 2026, to teach local waste separation rules.

This event was planned with the theme 'From 'Don't Know' to 'Can Do'' as part of efforts to create a clean and comfortable living environment, aiming to promote understanding and improve etiquette regarding waste separation, in response to the challenge that Japan's unique waste separation rules are difficult for foreign residents to understand. Filipino, Vietnamese, Brazilian, and Japanese residents living at 'Village House Oike' participated, learning separation rules through lectures and quizzes, and actually experiencing waste separation.

Participants learned with enjoyment during lectures in their native languages, and quizzes promoted understanding of waste collection days.

On the day of the event, explanations of separation rules using Kani City designated garbage bags, an introduction to an app for checking separation rules, and a demonstration of cooking oil disposal methods were provided, along with easy-to-understand explanations of separation points in a quiz format. In the program, which proceeded in a quiz format as an enjoyable learning content, many participants actively raised their hands to answer. In particular, there were differences in understanding among residents regarding the disposal method of spray cans, indicating the need for explanations regarding daily waste separation. In addition to promoting understanding of waste separation, the event aimed to create an opportunity for correct waste separation practices by checking multilingual signs installed at waste stations and re-communicating waste disposal times and usage rules. After the event, lunch was provided by a kitchen car, and after the meal, participants were immediately seen correctly separating their waste.

'Village House Oike' consists of 2 buildings and 80 units, with 69 units housing approximately 140 residents, of whom about 88% are foreign nationals. Approximately 25% of the residents have lived at 'Village House Oike' for less than 3 years. This event was implemented to ensure that foreign residents who have recently started living in Japan can live with peace of mind as members of the local community, by providing information in their native languages to promote understanding of correct waste separation methods and foster interaction among residents.

Explanation using Kani City designated garbage bags. Participants listen attentively to instructions on how to use the waste station.

Village House, with the desire for foreign residents living in Japan to live safely and securely, organizes disaster prevention events and multicultural coexistence community events as opportunities to learn necessary life information. This is the second waste separation themed event, following one in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture, in March 2026, and plans to expand to managed properties nationwide in the future. We will continue to work towards creating an environment where foreign residents can live safely and securely as members of the local community.

Event Overview 'Danchi de Clean Day ~Learn and Practice Waste Separation~'

Date:

Saturday, April 11, 2026, 10:30-13:30

Location:

Village House Oike (5080-1 Tsuchida Oike, Kani City, Gifu Prefecture)

Participants:

49 Filipino, Vietnamese, Brazilian, and Japanese residents living at Village House Oike

Property:

'Village House Oike'

Consists of 2 buildings, 80 units, with 69 units housing approximately 140 residents, of whom about 88% are foreign nationals.

Content:

① Explanation of waste separation rules

② Waste separation quiz, demonstration of cooking oil disposal

③ Enjoyable lunch from a kitchen car

Organizer:

Village House Management Inc.

About Village House Management Inc.

Village House Management Inc. is one of Japan's largest rental housing service companies, operating and managing 1,064 properties (2,960 buildings, 108,409 units) *1 across 47 prefectures nationwide. When the Employment Promotion Housing Corporation (an independent administrative agency) sold its employment promotion housing to the private sector, Fortress Investment Group acquired all properties, rebranded them to 'Village House,' renovated them, and began offering them as rental housing. By effectively utilizing existing buildings rather than rebuilding, they achieve low rents and are the only private company to provide affordable housing *2 on a large scale. With simple administrative procedures, they aim to continue a stable supply to build a better Japanese housing environment, serving singles and families of all generations, as well as foreign nationals and corporate dormitories.

*1 As of April 1, 2026

*2 Housing where everyone can maintain their quality of life and continue to live with peace of mind at an affordable rent.

As of April 1, 2026, it has 1,071 employees and operates 7 regional branches in addition to its Tokyo headquarters, providing integrated support from recruitment to reception, screening, and property management.

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