Japan Prepares for Significant Growth in the Agricultural Sector – Expert Opinion
Japan is on the verge of a substantial rise in agricultural production, which could match the dynamics of the country’s economic development in the 1960s. This opinion was expressed by Takeshi Sudo, head of projects at the consulting company Agri Connect, during a seminar at the Farm Design & Development forum held as part of the J Agri Week exhibition in October.
This is reported by AgroReview
Innovative Agricultural Projects and Strategic Cooperation
Takeshi Sudo presented a model for the progressive development of agribusiness that involves close interaction between various sectors, as well as partnerships between local authorities and investors. He emphasized that the success of the agricultural sector depends on the active implementation of innovative approaches, the adoption of modern technologies, and the expansion of cooperation at the regional level.
“I am convinced that the flourishing of agricultural production in Japan is still ahead,” said Sudo, who previously worked at Fujitsu and managed the creation of the Smart Agriculture Iwata and Grand Bouquet Otaki greenhouse projects.
Among the examples of successful projects, he cited Smart Agriculture Iwata (SAC Iwata), which encompasses 8.5 hectares of greenhouses with modern research and logistics capabilities, as well as Grand Bouquet Otaki (GBO), which specializes in orchid cultivation and the implementation of cutting-edge packaging solutions. Both facilities later became part of Daiwa Food & Agriculture and Aucnet Group.
New Opportunities for Regions and the Role of Partnerships
According to Sudo, most municipalities in Japan are currently focused on supporting existing farms and traditional crops, overlooking all potential business directions. At the same time, over 120 new local agricultural projects are already being implemented in the country, indicating gradual but confident changes in approaches to the development of the agricultural sector.
The expert also highlighted the importance of using “design thinking” in planning agricultural initiatives and developing effective cooperation between different regions. As an example, he cited the experience of the Dutch cluster Agriport A7, noting that similar partnership models between businesses and government authorities could drive the transformation of Japanese agribusiness.