Details of the Initiative
The aging of residents and the rise of large suburban commercial facilities have caused small retailers on traditional shopping streets to close, which has become a serious problem in many areas. Meidaimae Shopping Street near the Meiji University’s Izumi Campus is no exception. The desolation of shopping streets leads to the decline of the local economy, but also the reduced flow of people deteriorates public safety.
“Relief,” a Meiji University official volunteer group, is planning and implementing the following activities to revitalize Meidaimae Shopping Street.
1. Patrol the area in cooperation with people of the shopping street or conduct “Pato-Run,” a patrol while running. Pato-Run is also an initiative to promote greetings. The aim is to reduce the local crime rate and improve the sense of security of local residents.
2. Support the operation of Meidaimae Shopping Street, which has been suffering from a labor shortage. We will eventually organize a cooperative system, aiming to establish Japan’s first student organization in the shopping street.
3. Aiming to collaborate with students of other universities and civic groups, we plan to participate in the “Setagaya Volunteer Network” and the “Volunteer Expo for University Students” held in Kansai every spring.
Other plans include the following: 4. Share the shopping street’s attractions through social media, 5. Set up and run PR booths at the Meidai Festival, and 6. Conduct volunteer activities at local elementary schools. Please look forward to Relief activities in the future.
* This activity is covered by Meiji University grants for regional cooperation activities 2024.
