15 Years Chasing Planes, Now Reviving Rural Japan

Daisuke Fujii spent 15 years studying and working towards a career in aerospace engineering. However, he gave up on his dream to help revive rural Japan.

Fujii was accepted into the National Defense Academy of Japan, which had an aerospace department and offered free tuition. He later enrolled in the aerospace engineering program at the University of Texas at Austin in 2001, where he worked as a research assistant, earning free tuition and a small salary.

While studying in the US, Fujii saw how cities were growing thanks to venture capital companies, whereas in Japan, only Tokyo and Osaka were growing, and other areas were experiencing population decline. This observation led him to decide to strike out on his own after his employer in Japan repeatedly rejected his business ideas.

Fujii is now the cofounder of Farm & Firm Company, a Japanese consulting firm that helps farmers and rural communities generate new income through agritourism and boutique hotels. He grew up in Saitama, about 20 miles north of Tokyo, and discovered a love for space- and engineering-related things, like planes and satellites, in elementary school.

## What changed Fujii's decision to leave his aerospace engineering career was influenced by his observation of the growth of cities in the US and the decline of rural areas in Japan. He decided to use his skills to make a positive impact on his home country.

## Why it matters Fujii's story highlights the importance of revitalizing rural areas and the potential of agritourism and boutique hotels in generating new income for farmers and local communities. His decision to leave a successful career in aerospace engineering to pursue this goal demonstrates his commitment to making a positive impact on his community.

The decline of rural areas in Japan is a significant issue, with many young people leaving to find work in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Fujii's work with Farm & Firm Company aims to address this issue by providing new economic opportunities for rural communities. His story serves as an inspiration to others who may be considering a career change to make a positive impact on their community.