{"id":71918,"date":"2026-03-25T14:36:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T05:36:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/?p=71918"},"modified":"2026-03-29T13:34:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T04:34:52","slug":"%e6%9c%aa%e6%9d%a5%e3%81%ae%e8%be%b2%e6%a5%ad%e3%82%92%e5%89%b5%e9%80%a0%e3%81%99%e3%82%8b%e9%9d%a9%e6%96%b0%e7%9a%84%e3%81%aa%e6%8a%80%e8%a1%93%e3%81%8c%e5%8c%97%e7%ab%9c%e7%94%ba%e3%81%ab%e4%b8%8a","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portal.hokuryu.info\/en\/71918\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovative technologies that will shape the future of agriculture have arrived in Hokuryu Town! Report on the Hokuryu Town Agricultural Research Seminar"},"content":{"rendered":"

Monday, March 25, 2026<\/p>\n

On March 20th (a public holiday), the "Hokuryu Town Agricultural Research Seminar" was held at the Hokuryu Town Hall. Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki, House of Councilors Toshimi Funabashi, Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly Member Mami Uemura, and other distinguished guests attended, and farmers, construction workers, and government officials listened attentively to a lecture on innovative agricultural technologies by Masaru Nakajima, CEO of NCORE Co., Ltd. It was a night that brought a breath of fresh air to the future of agriculture in Hokuryu Town, with topics such as photosynthesis without the use of light and soil materials that increase yields by 30%.<\/div>\n

Hokuryu Town Agricultural Research Seminar Held<\/h2>\n

On March 20, 2026 (a public holiday), the "Hokuryu Town Agricultural Research Seminar" was held from 4:00 PM in the conference room on the second floor of the Hokuryu Town Hall. Despite the late hour on a public holiday, many people, including farmers, construction workers, and government officials, gathered, and the venue was filled with enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\"Hokuryu<\/a>
Hokuryu Town Agricultural Research Seminar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Moderator:<\/a>
Moderator: Junichi Iguchi, Section Chief, Industry Division<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The program is as follows:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Opening remarks:<\/strong>Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town<\/li>\n
  2. Guest speeches:<\/strong>House of Councillors member Toshimi Funabashi \/ Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly member Mami Uemura<\/li>\n
  3. Keynote speech:<\/strong>Masaru Nakajima, Representative Director, N CORE Co., Ltd.<\/li>\n
  4. Q&A<\/strong><\/li>\n
  5. Closing remarks:<\/strong>JA Kitasorachi, Minoru Nagai, Representative Director of the Hokuryu District<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Opening remarks: Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town<\/h2>\n
    \"Greetings<\/a>
    Greetings from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki expressed his gratitude to everyone gathered and spoke of his high expectations for the seminar.<\/p>\n

    \nHello everyone. Thank you all for gathering here in such large numbers at 4 PM. I was very much looking forward to today's research seminar on creating the future of agriculture in Hokuryu.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    The mayor also mentioned the "Hokuryu Town Agricultural Vision and Promotion Vision," which was first formulated this year, and stated that it has just begun to take shape, mainly led by young farmers.<\/p>\n

    \nWe started creating the Hokuryu Town Agricultural Vision and Development Vision this year, the first time the town has created one, and it's just getting started, mainly with the help of young people. I have high hopes that as today's discussions are incorporated into this process, new directions will emerge.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    He also expressed his gratitude to Senator Funabashi for his efforts regarding the regional revitalization grant, and spoke powerfully about the town of Hokuryu's unified efforts toward agriculture, saying, "We are taking on this challenge with the entire town working together."<\/p>\n

    Guest speech<\/h2>\n

    House of Councillors member, Toshimi Funabashi<\/h3>\n
    \"Senator<\/a>
    Senator Toshimi Funabashi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Representative Funabashi appeared in a relaxed style, without a tie and wearing jeans. He explained the reason for this with plenty of humor, putting the audience at ease.<\/p>\n

    \nYou may be wondering who I was, since some of you are wearing ties, and I wasn't wearing a tie, no badge, and just jeans...<\/p>\n

    Since we don't have a majority in the House of Councillors, we are subjected to tough questioning from the opposition parties every day, and I feel so tense that I think I might get strangled if I wear a tie (laughs).<\/p>\n

    I've dressed this way today because I wanted to create a relaxed atmosphere.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Representative Funabashi spoke about how he came to meet the speaker and frankly expressed his surprise at plant factory technology and the bio-material called Type-G.<\/p>\n

    \nWhen I asked what their main business was, they said they ran a plant factory. As I listened to them explain their technology, I was astonished to discover that they possessed advanced and innovative techniques that left me speechless. The more I heard, the more I was amazed by their incredible technology.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Concerns about Hokkaido agriculture due to climate change: mentioning snow shortages, water shortages, and heat waves,<\/p>\n

    \nAgriculture must strive to be agriculture that brings joy to those who seek food, and agriculture that brings prosperity to those who engage in agriculture.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    He then spoke of his deep feelings for farmers.<\/p>\n

    \nI am confident that in 10 years, the Enokoa method, or its Type-G fertilizer, will be commonplace technology. I sincerely hope that you will make effective use of this opportunity and that it will lead to its application in the future agricultural policies and community development of Hokuryu Town.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \"people<\/a>
    people listening intently<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Mami Uemura, Member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly<\/h3>\n
    \"Mami<\/a>
    Mami Uemura, Member of the Hokkaido Prefectural Assembly<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Councilman Uemura explained how this initiative came about. He revealed that he personally introduced the speakers to Mr. Nagai, the representative director of the Hokuryu district of JA Kitasorachi, which led to the event being held in Hokuryu Town.<\/p>\n

    \nWhen I told Mr. Nagai about this story, he suggested that there might be residents in Hokuryu Town who would be interested in hearing it, so we visited the related facilities in January, and that's how today's lecture came about.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    He also shared an anecdote about seeing natto made from Kurosenkoku soybeans produced in Hokuryu Town and sunflower oil served at the hotel breakfast, conveying his renewed appreciation for the appeal of local specialty products.<\/p>\n

    \nI've noticed that there's a strong demand from inbound tourists and others for foods that are good for the body or that are considered special.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Furthermore, while acknowledging the harsh realities of an aging farming population and the lack of successors, he also touched upon a positive change, noting that "there are a lot of farmers these days who want to try new things," and expressed his hope that today's lecture would "serve as a catalyst for finding new directions."<\/p>\n

    \"Representative<\/a>
    Representative Uemura explains the background of this initiative.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Keynote speech: Masaru Nakajima, Representative Director, N CORE Co., Ltd.<\/h2>\n
    \"Lecture<\/a>
    Lecture items<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    With the motto "Fast and good," we are currently working on the development and dissemination of innovative hydroponic cultivation technology and biostimulant materials. We have a track record of hydroponically cultivating over 4,000 varieties both domestically and internationally, and have also obtained a US patent.<\/p>\n

    Why must agriculture be changed?<\/h3>\n

    At the beginning of his speech, Representative Nakajima started by discussing global food issues.<\/p>\n

    \nFrom the 15th to the 18th centuries, the world population increased by 100 million people each century. However, between the 18th and 19th centuries, the population suddenly swelled 15 times. The modern agricultural methods we practice today\u2014using compost, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for sowing, thinning, fertilizing, and harvesting\u2014are techniques that were established in the late 1800s. In other words, these techniques may be able to cope with a population increase of 100 million, but they cannot cope with a 15-fold increase. And this is compounded by extreme weather events.<\/p>\n

    I'm studying hard because I believe that if we can create something that can be made quickly and reliably, we can guarantee a food supply.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    All 525 closed-type hydroponic cultivation facilities across Japan are currently operating at a loss. The biggest reason is electricity costs. While explaining the difficulty of operating plant factories under Japan's electricity rates, which are the second highest among developed countries, he said that the shift in thinking\u2014that "if you produce quickly, electricity costs will be lower"\u2014was the starting point for all of their technological development.<\/p>\n

    Lightless photosynthesis: The mechanism of the Enocore system<\/h3>\n

    The core of the technology for which Representative Nakajima obtained a US patent in 2017 lies in the seemingly contradictory idea of "promoting photosynthesis without using light."<\/p>\n

    By physically shaking the roots, plants grow rapidly. This technique has reduced the time it takes to grow 150g of lettuce from 29 days in version 1 to 25 days in version 2, and to 20 days in version 3.<\/p>\n

    According to research from the University of Tokyo, the physiological limit for lettuce is 17 days, meaning they are "just three days away" from this stage. "Once we can do this, I'll put down the microphone and retire like Momoe Yamaguchi," said Nakajima with a smile.<\/p>\n

    \"Improvement<\/a>
    Improvement of modern agricultural methods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Produce 60-80 melons from a single plant; expanding to multiple varieties.<\/h3>\n

    As an application of hydroponics, a system for high-yielding melons in greenhouses was also introduced. While typically only 4 to 6 melons can be harvested from a single plant, this technology allows for the harvesting of 60 to 80 melons with a sugar content of 14.6 degrees or higher from a single plant. A greenhouse in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, has introduced 20 of these systems and has achieved sales of melons for 2,500 yen each. This system allows for four harvests per year.<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, innovative approaches that would excite the younger generation were introduced one after another, such as a technique that shortens the wasabi cultivation period from 1.5 years to 4 months by applying a voltage of 280V to the roots.<\/p>\n

    "Type-G," a biostimulant material that increases yield by 30%.<\/h3>\n

    In the latter half of the presentation, the soil biostimulant material "Type-G" was introduced. It is a pure bio-material containing 514 types of bacteria, and is a proven technology that has undergone testing with 46 farmers and 400 varieties.<\/p>\n

    There are two main effects.<\/p>\n