On Saturday, October 17, JICA Chugoku held the international understanding event "SAND BRIDGE: Sowing Seeds in the Sand, Growing the Future with the World" at the Sand Dune Center "Miharashi no Oka" at the Tottori Sand Dunes. Using "sand" as its keyword, the event aimed to help people feel the connections between the region and the world by introducing JICA's work along with the efforts of Tottori University's Arid Land Research Center, which signed a partnership agreement with JICA last year, and the "Sand Alliance" that Tottori Prefecture has been promoting since Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Tottori Prefecture and Tottori University supported the event.
The venue introduced daily life and challenges in countries with deserts, and visitors were served mint tea, a drink popular in those countries, made from a blend of Tunisian tea leaves and mint grown in Nanbu Town, Tottori Prefecture. Red sand from Jordan, which had been exhibited at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, was borrowed from Tottori Prefecture and put on display, and children in particular reached out to feel its color and texture. A former JICA Overseas Cooperation Volunteer who worked in Jordan talked about the country, a JICA trainee from Egypt introduced their home country, and there was also a corner where visitors could try on traditional clothing and touch musical instruments.
Panels from Tottori University's Arid Land Research Center showed how sandy land that once spread around the Tottori Sand Dunes has been turned into farmland through many years of local effort, and how that knowledge is being used to support the development of drylands around the world. Many visitors said they had not known that sandy land once extended beyond the dunes. JICA Chugoku says it hopes to continue introducing initiatives that connect the region and the world under the theme of "sand" next year.
Key points
- Held at the Tottori Sand Dunes, the event used "sand" to show the links between the world's drylands and the region
- Tottori's experience of turning sandy land into farmland is being put to use in drylands around the world
- Red sand from Jordan and mint tea let visitors experience life overseas with their senses
Why this news deserves attention
Wisdom built up over a long time in one region is helping solve challenges in faraway countries. The history of Tottori's sandy land reminds us that international cooperation can begin close to home.
Rather than only viewing exhibits, visitors touched sand, tasted tea, and talked with trainees and former volunteers. As a way of creating an international understanding event that people of all ages can enjoy, it offers useful ideas for other regions as well.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“I was surprised to learn that wide sandy land once surrounded the Tottori Sand Dunes and was turned into farmland over many years. It's fascinating that this experience is now helping drylands around the world develop.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“Like Aoba, I had never heard this history of the sandy land. I also love how the mint tea, blending Tunisian tea leaves with mint from Nanbu Town, connects the region and the world in a single cup.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“As you both say, it's interesting that local history and faraway challenges are linked by sand. The scene of children reaching out to touch the red sand reminded me of the power of learning by feeling. I look forward to this theme continuing next year.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“I didn't know that sandy land once spread around the Tottori Sand Dunes, or that the experience of turning it into farmland is now helping drylands around the world. I thought it was a wonderful event that links local history with international cooperation. Another event themed on "sand" is planned for next year, so if you have a chance to visit Tottori, please keep an eye out for it.”