Eliminating the Hidden Tears of the 'Happiest Country in the World'! Towards a 'Truly' Happy Nation through Japan-Fiji Co-creation

Our company supports April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day for expressing dreams. This press release is the dream of "Social Innovation Fiji (hereinafter SIF).".

SIF, which is working to solve social issues in Fiji, is directly confronting the serious problems hidden in the paradise of the South Pacific. By combining the technology of Japanese people and companies with the powerful energy of Fijians, we are challenging ourselves to realize a truly "happiest country in the world."

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■ The background to wanting to realize this dream

Fiji has repeatedly ranked first in subjective happiness rankings over the past decade (※1). It is the country with the highest percentage of people in the world who answer "Yes, I am happy" to the question "Are you happy?" The clear blue sea and the bright smiles of "Bula! (Hello)" that embrace everyone they meet continue to captivate people worldwide.

However, behind that dazzling light lies a serious reality unseen by tourists. High youth unemployment, the resulting poverty, the rapid spread of drugs and HIV infection, and the waste problem threatening the beautiful nature. Through our activities on the ground, we at SIF have faced the unaddressed suffering and conflicts of the Fijian people, who always wear a smile.

※1：WIN/Gallup International’s annual global End of Year survey 2014, 2017

It might be easy to turn a blind eye and only see Fiji as a resort destination. But we know how much the Fijian people's overwhelming love for family, their power to live positively, and their spirit of sharing can warm the world. That's why we want to protect their smiles in the truest sense.

We believe that SIF becoming a "bridge" between Japan and Fiji will lead to the happiness and hope of the world in the future.

Our dream is to:
"Solve Fiji's hidden social issues and realize a 'truly happiest country in the world' through co-creation between Japanese and Fijians!"

■ Social Innovation Fiji's Initiatives

Training Program "SIF Academy"

This is a practical program set in Fiji, known as the happiest country in the world in terms of subjective well-being, where participants challenge themselves to solve local social issues using business methods.

This program is not just a volunteer activity; each participant acts as a "project leader," focusing on executing and completing their planned solutions locally.
To date, over 100 graduates have been produced, and more than 100 projects have been implemented in Fiji. Each participant, as a project leader, has implemented diverse solutions rooted in local needs. One representative example is the "Arigato Earth Project," which aimed to improve the recycling rate of waste.

Following the success of this pilot project, the activity is now expanding to various cities and has developed into a nationwide initiative with the sponsorship of eight local beverage manufacturers. At the current pace, over 6.2 million bottles and cans are expected to be collected annually, dramatically reducing landfill waste and significantly contributing to national-level discussions on sustainable waste management that do not rely on donations or foreign aid.

Job Matching Program "Haruharu Project"

Currently, Fiji faces a severe labor shortage due to the outflow of talented young people overseas, while the domestic youth unemployment rate exceeds 15%. The root cause of this contradiction was the limitations of "analog matching," which relied on personal connections and fragmented information from social media. Even with a desire to work, a skill gap, such as not knowing how to write a resume, was closing off opportunities for young people.

And young people who could not become economically independent were flowing into illegal income-generating activities such as drug dealing, leading to a vicious cycle of drug addiction and HIV infection themselves.

The fundamental problem is the lack of a matching mechanism. In just six months since its test launch, the Haruharu platform has surpassed 150 registered corporations and 1,500 job seekers. It is rapidly growing into a social infrastructure that digitally connects the previously invisible skills of young people with the needs of companies, going beyond a mere job search site.

From April 2026, it will transition to a full-scale monetization phase, aiming for a sustainable business model. Furthermore, as a "national project" introduced in the Fijian Parliament, it is collaborating with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs. It is developing comprehensive employment support, including career training for young people and visits to rural villages, to include those who have been left behind by digital access.

■ Towards realizing the dream

SIF's challenge will accelerate even further from here. At the core of all SIF's activities is the unwavering mission of "producing human resources and businesses that will make Japan enjoyable in 30 years." By combining the "true richness" found in Fiji with Japan's "technology and aspirations," and weaving together the wills of individuals and organizations. We believe that when these "small steps" accumulate and move society as a big step, the world will become a more exciting place.

"Arigato Earth Project" Next Step: Home Composting 
Currently, over 60% of Fiji's waste consists of organic waste (food waste, etc.), and solving this is key to true environmental conservation. As the next phase of partnership with Lautoka City, we will launch the promotion of "home composting" awareness and usage, building a circular society model for the entire island.

"Haruharu Project" Next Step: Establishing a National Employment Infrastructure 
This platform, which attracted over 1,500 job seekers in just six months since its test launch, will transition to a full-scale monetization phase from April 2026. Beyond being a mere job search site, it will collaborate with Fiji's Ministry of Education, Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, and universities to develop into a "national employment and education infrastructure" that provides end-to-end support from training to employment for young people.

Fiji, the happiest country in the world. Realizing a "truly happiest country in the world" through co-creation between Japan and Fiji. Steadily materializing the grand vision drawn in Fiji, one step at a time.

To ensure this dream doesn't remain just a dream.

Taking this challenge as our own, working together on the ground, and repeatedly trying and failing. The existence of "仲間 (nakama, comrades)" who can share such a gritty process is the greatest driving force for SIF right now.

Each of us, in our unique positions, aims for a future where Japan and Fiji will be enjoyable in 30 years. Will you join us on this grand journey?

【Participation/Inquiries here】

Training Program (SIF Academy) details: https://www.sifiji.org/sif-academy/

Application for recruitment/internship: https://www.sifiji.org/company/

Consultation for corporate collaboration/donations: https://www.sifiji.org/company/

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■ About Social Innovation Fiji

Mission