PLANED's reputation in community development has reached the Land of the Rising Sun, with a visitor from Japan coming to learn about the way PLANED supports local communities in Pembrokeshire.

Mikako Saito visited the PLANED offices as part of her research study into the EU LEADER programme, which has underpinned support for rural development across Europe.

As part of her research at Musashi University in Tokyo, Mikako (pictured with Merrill Mabey at the PLANED offices in Narberth) is examining how the experience of encouraging and empowering rural communities in Pembrokeshire can be used for the benefit of people in rural Japan.