Japan: First crops in at Minamisoma Tomato Farm in Fukushima

Minamisoma Fukko Agri KK, a small agro-business enterprise in Fukushima, Japan, held an opening ceremony to mark the start of cultivation at its tomato farm. The launch of this operation was made possible by financial assistance in the form of loan support provided by Abukuma Shinkin Bank, a local credit union, and an additional 50 million yen from the Mitsubishi Disaster Relief Foundation (MCDRF).

Established in January 2013, Minamisoma Fukko Agri was set up in an effort to support recovery initiatives in the town of Minamisoma, which was severely damaged during the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. Located on a 2.4-hectare property, construction of the 1.5 hectare greenhouse and other facilities, including a delivery center and office building, began in February of last year and were completed in November.

Cultivation began a month later in December 2015, and the first shipment of tomatoes is scheduled for delivery around March of this year. Minamisoma Fukko Agri plans to produce an average of 660 tons of tomatoes per year, about half its pre-March 2011 average, with projected sales reaching 200 million yen. The initiative will employ 50 people, including 45 part-time workers, to plant, harvest and package tomatoes.

Minamisoma Fukko's tomato farm will also provide a space for hands-on experience and for enhancing farm-management skills among community members, thereby contributing to the recovery and growth of the region's agro-industry.

Almost five years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsumani, but recovery efforts in areas severely damaged by the disaster are still underway. MCDRF will continue to support similar initiatives aimed at employment creation and economic recovery in areas affected by the disaster.

For more information:
Mitsubishi Corporation
Telephone: +81 3 3210 2171
Facsimile: +81 3 5252 7705
www.mitsubishicorp.com