Applications Open for a Program to Certify and Implement Initiatives that Solve Rural Community Challenges

Applications are now being accepted for initiatives aimed at solving challenges in rural communities.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) will begin accepting applications for the issuance of "Initiative Certificates" for initiatives by companies and other organizations that contribute to solving challenges in rural areas and are expected to continue in the future, as well as "Impact Certificates" that certify that these initiatives lead to the creation of specific social and environmental impacts. Furthermore, initiatives that can solve rural challenges and create social and environmental impacts will be recruited as "Rural Impact Creation Solutions." Selected initiatives will be compiled into a catalog and implemented through matching with rural communities, with the support of regional financial institutions.

1. Overview

In rural communities, challenges such as a significant decrease in farmers and difficulty in maintaining local communities are becoming more severe due to declining birthrates and an aging population. To address these challenges, it is necessary to promote regional revitalization through public-private collaboration with private companies and other organizations that possess solutions to these problems, in addition to initiatives by local governments alone. MAFF is introducing the following three systems and programs to promote initiatives by companies and other organizations that contribute to solving rural challenges:

(A) "Initiative Certificate" System A system for national certification of corporate initiatives, the "Initiative Certificate" system, was launched in fiscal year 2025. In its first year, 50 companies and organizations have obtained certificates, and these organizations are strengthening their external communication capabilities by utilizing the certificate's logo mark. Applications for the "Initiative Certificate" for fiscal year 2026 will be accepted from June 30 (Tue) to August 12 (Wed). Companies and organizations that obtain the "Initiative Certificate" can use it as an external public relations tool and a communication tool with local communities. We encourage you to consider applying.

(B) "Impact Certificate" System This system, to be launched in fiscal year 2026, provides certification that includes the social and environmental impacts generated by an initiative. The application period for issuance in fiscal year 2026 is from June 30 (Tue) to August 31 (Mon). To obtain an "Impact Certificate," it is necessary to establish a system for setting goals and indicators, and for monitoring the initiative's progress to visualize the impacts it generates. Additionally, a two-stage review by external experts in impact investing and related fields will be conducted. Companies and organizations that obtain this certificate can use it, similar to the "Initiative Certificate," as an external public relations and communication tool with local communities. Furthermore, it is expected that they can appeal their initiatives to stakeholders such as financial institutions and investors by including them in impact reports. At the same time, the process of obtaining the certificate itself can lead to a re-examination of one's own initiatives and a rediscovery of their social significance. We encourage companies and organizations that are acting as frontrunners in Japan to consider applying for the "Impact Certificate" to create impact through solving rural challenges.

(C) "Rural Impact Creation Solution" Implementation Program In fiscal year 2025, MAFF widely solicited high-quality initiatives that could create impact by solving rural challenges, selected 11 as "Rural Impact Creation Solutions," and provided matching and support with local governments. In fiscal year 2026, from June 30 (Tue) to July 27 (Mon), we will broadly solicit initiatives that can create impact and select them as "Rural Impact Creation Solutions." Selected solutions will be compiled into a catalog for regional financial institutions and other intermediaries, who will act as support organizations. The catalog will be published on the MAFF website and introduced to regional financial institutions around late September. Then, with the support of regional financial institutions, we will facilitate matching between rural communities and selected companies, leading to the implementation of the selected solutions.

2. Selection Target

Initiatives that contribute to solving challenges in rural communities.

3. Application Requirements

<Initiative Certificate & Impact Certificate> (A) Currently engaged in initiatives that contribute to the promotion of rural areas. (B) Expected to continue initiatives that contribute to the promotion of rural areas in the future. (C) Agreement to the public disclosure of the Initiative Certificate/Impact Certificate and initiative details on the MAFF website, expert committee meetings, etc. (D) [Impact Certificate Only] After issuance of the Impact Certificate, the applicant must continue to appropriately manage and collect data necessary for impact measurement, and actively cooperate in providing such data upon request from MAFF and the secretariat. (E) No violation of laws or acts contrary to public order and morals. (F) Not currently undergoing corporate rehabilitation proceedings under the Corporate Reorganization Act, civil rehabilitation proceedings under the Civil Rehabilitation Act, or bankruptcy proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act. (G) Not having a socially reprehensible relationship with a yakuza or its members, or otherwise being deemed inappropriate by social standards.

<"Rural Impact Creation Solution" Implementation Program> (A) Possess a solution that can solve challenges in rural communities. (B) Expected to continue initiatives that contribute to the promotion of rural areas in the future. (C) Agreement to the public disclosure of initiative details, etc., on the MAFF website. (D) Ability to establish an organizational and financial structure to address challenges throughout the project period. (E) Possess legal personality. (F) No violation of laws or acts contrary to public order and morals. (G) Not currently undergoing corporate rehabilitation proceedings under the Corporate Reorganization Act, civil rehabilitation proceedings under the Civil Rehabilitation Act, or bankruptcy proceedings under the Bankruptcy Act. (H) Not having a socially reprehensible relationship with a yakuza or its members, or otherwise being deemed inappropriate by social standards.

4. Application Schedule

<Initiative Certificate> Application Start: June 30 (Tue), 2026 Information Session: July 7 (Tue), 2026 (Jointly with the "Rural Impact Creation Solution" Implementation Program) Application Deadline: August 12 (Wed), 2026, 18:00 Announcement of Certificate Holders: Around October 2026

<Impact Certificate> Application Start: June 30 (Tue), 2026 Information Session: July 8 (Wed), 2026 Application Deadline: August 31 (Mon), 2026, 18:00 Announcement of Certificate Holders: Around March 2027 (Preliminary and secondary reviews are scheduled to take place between the application deadline and the announcement of certificate holders.)

<"Rural Impact Creation Solution" Implementation Program> Application Start: June 30 (Tue), 2026 Information Session: July 7 (Tue), 2026 (Jointly with the Initiative Certificate) Application Deadline: July 27 (Mon), 2026, 18:00 Catalog Publication: Around late September 2026

5. Application and Selection Guidelines

Please refer to the respective application guidelines for procedures related to applications. Note that Form 1 of the submitted documents will be common to all initiatives. "Rural Impact Creation Solution" Implementation Program, Initiative Certificate for Contribution to Rural Promotion, Impact Certificate for Contribution to Rural Promotion

6. Selection Method

Selection will be made based on deliberations by the Rural Planning Division, Rural Development Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, and the selection secretariat. For the "Impact Certificate" in particular, in addition to this, a review by members of the "System Review Committee for Promoting the Creation of Rural Impact" is planned.

7. Impact from Solving Rural Challenges

Impact from solving rural challenges refers to the social and environmental changes and effects (both short-term and long-term) that arise as a result of business activities or initiatives. In fiscal year 2024, MAFF analyzed the impact reports of existing impact investors and financial institutions engaged in impact investing to define the impact related to solving rural challenges. Based on these analyses, we have classified and identified seven types of impact related to solving rural challenges from the perspectives of (A) whether the impact is closely related to investors and companies, and (B) whether it is deeply related to solving rural challenges. We have also compiled an "Impact Visualization Guidance for Rural Areas" that includes analysis of each challenge and categorization of initiatives for problem-solving. (From the Science Council of Japan's "Report on the Evaluation of the Multifaceted Functions of Agriculture and Forests Related to the Global Environment and Human Life")

Notes: Seven Impacts and Related International Frameworks

Page for "Impact Visualization Guidance for Rural Areas"

8. Related Sites

Page for "Impact Visualization Guidance for Rural Areas"

Contact Information

Rural Development Bureau, Rural Policy Department, Rural Planning Division, Rural Revitalization Promotion Office Contact Person: Planning Section Main Line: 03-3502-8111 (Ext. 5444) Direct Dial: 03-6744-2141