In 2001 Kato-san retired from the NPO "National Outfitters Training School" which provided education for adventure and environment. He then established "Earth Conscious" in Setagaya, Tokyo, and "Madarao Nature School" in Iiyama, Nagano. He and his family then moved to Tsuru, Yamanashi in 2005.

While working as a program coordinator of Global Citizenship Village and the chief of nature school at Exposition of Global Harmony (2005), he reclaimed forest with his friends and finished building the first wing of his house and named "Kato-sanchi " in 2006.

As Peaceful Life Worker, practitioner and proposer of life with the fulfillment of happiness, he creates opportunities for the agricultural-conscious way of living and learning based on the concept of permaculture.

His activities cover a broad range from corporate training, cooperative projects with the local Tsuru University, open-house for "Mothers & Kids Café" and "Experience of Earth & Human Beings Friendly Life" to writing books and articles.

The Kato-sanchi house project continues making progress, he added animal sheds in 2008 and started cultivating rice fields in 2009.

He is now Director of the NPO "Tsuru Environment Forum" and the founder of "Transition Town Tsuru".