Reconnecting Communities and Reimagining the Future: Libraries Transforming Life in Regenerative Satoyama Communities through Cross-Border Collaboration

Abstract

Depopulation and the decline of primary industries are pressing global challenges. This poster demonstrates how cross-border collaboration between Rissho University Library (Japan) and HKSKH Ming Hua Theological College (Hong Kong) generates social impact and supports cultural sustainability in Ogawa Town—a regenerative Satoyama community of 27,000 people.

Grounded in cultural heritage informatics, the project integrates local themes—including UNESCO-recognised Washi papermaking and organic farming—into library learning. Through study tours and digital resources, the programme connects international students with local residents and librarians, positioning the Town Library as a vital civic hub.

The initiative has enhanced residents' appreciation of their heritage while offering international participants insights into rural resilience. Furthermore, the teams developed innovative AI-driven learning tools and virtual exhibitions to bridge traditional culture with modern technology. By positioning the library as a mediator of global-local exchange, this project offers a transferable model for fostering social vitality in vulnerable yet culturally rich landscapes. This collaboration proves that libraries can transform lives by reconnecting communities with their ancestral roots and a sustainable future through the lens of a circular ecosystem.