Minamisoma Fukko Agri KK, an small agro-business enterprise in Fukushima, Japan, today held an opening ceremony to mark the start of cultivation at its tomato farm, launched a year ago. 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 earnest 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 persons, including 45 part-time workers, to plant, harvest and package tomatoes.

 

Minamisoma Fukko Agri’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. 

1).     Location:                     310-6 Shimoota-aza Kawauchisaku, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma, Fukushima,Japan

2).     Site Area:                     24,088 m²

3).     Cultivation Start Date:   December 2015

4).     Production Volume:      Approx. 660 tons per annum

5).     Projected Sales:           200 million yen

6).     Set-up Cost:                Approx. 1.1 billion yen (land purchase and construction)

 

1.     Minamisoma Fukko Agri KK

1)    Location:                Izumi Aza Maemuki 15, Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan

2)    Establised:              January 2013

3)    Capital:                   5,150 million yen

4)    Main Business:        Cultivation and sale of fresh tomatoes

5)   Representative:       Eiju Hangai, CEO

 

2. Abukuma Shinkin Bank

1)  Headquarters:          2-4 Haramachi-ku, Sakae-cho, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan

2)  Date Established:     September 1950

3)  Capital:                   10.7 billion yen

4)  Business Activities:   Savings, loans and other financial services

5)  Representative:        Yoshihiro Ota, President

 

3.     Mitsubishi Corporation Disaster Relief Foundation

1)  Headquarters:            2-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

2)  Founded:                  March 2012

3)  Purpose:                    To contribute to the recovery of regions affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake through the provision of scholarships and

                                      grants for NPOs and social welfare corporations, as well as for recovery of industry and job creation.

4)  Representatives:

- Chairman, Ken Kobayashi (President and CEO, Mitsubishi Corporation)

- Deputy Chairman, Yasuhito Hirota (Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Corporation)

- Executive Director, Yoshiyuki Nojima (General Manager, CSR and Environmental Affairs Department, Mitsubishi Corporation)