Source: Peatix

Creating new value by joining forces with the local community and different industries
Japanese agriculture faces various challenges, such as the aging of agricultural workers and an increase in abandoned farmland. As a solution to these issues, corporations are being encouraged to enter the agricultural industry, and since the revision of the Agricultural Land Act, the number of agricultural businesses incorporated has been on the rise. Through collaboration with various businesses and local industries, a new value cycle is being created that originates from agriculture. The new Basic Act, revised in 2024, also advocates the promotion of rural areas as the foundation for the sustainable development of agriculture, and the importance of corporations entering the agricultural industry, the sixth industrialization rooted in the community, and the possibilities for sustainable business models that utilize local resources are expanding even further.

Exploring approaches that lead to circulation of the local economy and sustainable management strategies
This event will invite as guests practitioners who promote the sustainable development of agriculture and local communities. In the first event in this series, we considered the future of agriculture from the two themes of "smart agriculture" and "harmony with the environment." In this second event, we will look at how to unearth the value of the region and create business opportunities. Based on ongoing project examples, we will approach the forefront of sustainable regional development and the creation of business opportunities.

The first guest is Masahiro Kobayashi of Tokyu Land Corporation, who is working on the "Ichigonooka Project" to develop one of the world's largest strawberry farms in Shiraoka City in the central-eastern part of Saitama Prefecture with the aim of resolving idle farmland. He will talk about the company's food and agriculture concept and strategy, which focuses on agricultural production and aims to bring excitement and interaction through the development of sixth-sector industrialization projects in cooperation with the local community.

The second guest is Daisuke Maeda of MAE Co., Ltd., which aims to develop a village of 300 households and a population of 1,000 in a marginal village in Toyama Prefecture. We will hear about the future of "Healthy Wood," which features a herb garden and aroma studio, and the past and future plans to solve local issues.

Through collaboration with various sectors, such as the food and beverage industry, food production and sales, and tourism, agriculture will become an even more important industry in the local economy. How can we re-examine locally rooted industries and co-create with diverse people to generate value circulation? Attendees can gain new perspectives that can provide hints for solving problems and building partnerships through interactions with practitioners working on projects. Please join us for this opportunity to think together about the future of food, agriculture, and the local community.

Recommended for:
People, local governments, companies, startups, and organizations that are working or planning to work on agriculture and industry creation that utilizes the characteristics of their region
People, companies, startups, and organizations considering entering the food, agriculture, local community, and tourism fields
About GREEN×GLOBE Partners
GREEN×GLOBE Partners is a business community established by the SMBC Group in July 2020 to solve environmental and social issues.

With the aim of "spreading awareness and opportunities for solving environmental and social issues," we provide support to businesses, such as disseminating information and creating opportunities for them to find allies.

By connecting like-minded partners both inside and outside the community and supporting the formation and promotion of projects, we aim to increase the number of activities and stakeholders necessary to solve environmental and social issues.

GREEN×GLOBE Partners：https://ggpartners.jp

Program
14:00-14:10
introduction
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. Shunsuke Akiyama
Loftwork Inc. Kitajima Sachiko

14:10-14:50
Guest Talk 1: Masahiro Kobayashi, Tokyu Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Guest Talk 2: Daisuke Maeda, MAE Co., Ltd.

14:50-15:30
Crosstalk & Q&A
Tokyu Real Estate Co., Ltd. Masahiro Kobayashi
MAE Co., Ltd. Daisuke Maeda
Too Inc. Okayama Fumioki (Moderator)

15:30-15:40
Closing Talk Session
(Online participants will be asked to leave at this session.)

15:40-15:50
break

15:50-16:30
Mini workshop with participants (only for those attending in person)

16:30-17:30
Networking between speakers and participants (only for those attending in person)

Outline
Date and time: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Talk session: 14:00-15:40
Mini-work + networking: 15:50-17:30 (Only for those attending in person)
How the event will be held
Real venue (talk + mini-work + networking)
Online broadcast (talk only)
Capacity
Real venue: 30 people
Online: 100 people
Real venue: Loftwork Shibuya 10th floor
Address: 10th floor, Dogenzaka Pier, 1-22-7 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043
MAP：https://bit.ly/3AD6EDJ
Online distribution: Zoom webinar/YouTube Live
Participation Fee: Free
Co-organized by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Loftwork Inc.
please note
If there are a large number of applications for on-site participation, a lottery may be held. The results will be announced by Wednesday, April 16th. (Application deadline: noon on April 15th)
For those participating online, an email with information such as the viewing URL will be sent to the email address you registered when registering by the day before the event.
Photos of participants and contents of discussions may be posted on Loftwork.com and the GREEN×GLOBE Partners website at a later date.
The program is subject to change without notice.
If you would like to cover this event, please contact the GGP Secretariat (greenglobepartners_event@loftwork.com).

Venue