Japanese Agrifood Innovations Propel Sustainability in 2025
Tokyo, Monday, 9 June 2025.
Japan’s agrifood sector advances with biochar technology enhancing productivity and sustainability, driven by TOWING Co. and collaborations such as Farmconnect and Mitsui Sumitomo Marine.
Innovative Biochar Technology
TOWING Co., Ltd., based in Nagoya, Japan, is pioneering the use of enhanced biochar technology to elevate agricultural productivity and sustainability in Thailand. The project aims to tackle soil degradation prevalent in sandy soils through the use of a specialized biochar product named ‘Sora Tan’. This biochar, enriched with TOWING’s proprietary microbial technology, acts as a soil amendment to improve soil health and increase crop yields [1]. The initiative reflects Japan’s growing emphasis on environmentally sustainable agricultural practices aimed to reduce carbon footprint and enhance resource efficiency.
Collaborative Innovations in Agriculture
Japan’s agrifood sector is also witnessing significant collaboration between companies like Farmconnect and Mitsui Sumitomo Marine. These partnerships are designed to address various challenges faced by farmers, such as complex inheritance issues and asset formation. Through these collaborations, innovative solutions such as free consulting services for farmers are being offered to mitigate financial risks associated with succession and taxation, which have traditionally been burdensome [2].
Reducing Environmental Impact
The strategic use of biochar technology in Thailand not only addresses agricultural challenges specific to the region but also contributes to solving global environmental issues. By transforming agricultural residues into biochar, TOWING’s project significantly reduces air pollution caused by conventional biomass disposal methods like burning, which is a prevalent issue causing PM2.5 emissions [1]. Furthermore, the project supports carbon sequestration in agricultural lands, advancing efforts towards climate change mitigation.
Future Prospects for Japanese Agritech
Looking ahead, TOWING has been selected for Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s subsidy for Global South future-oriented co-creation projects, bolstering their expansion efforts for biochar production and application in Thailand. By setting up a local office in Thailand, the company aims to scale up its operations and align with Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green Economy model [1]. Such strides illustrate Japan’s commitment to leading in agritech innovations that promise sustainability and enhanced agricultural output globally.