Minamisoma Fukko Agri KK, a small agro-business enterprise in Fukushima, Japan, today held a groundbreaking ceremony to launch the construction of a tomato farm. The launch of this operation was made possible by financial support in the form of loan support provided Abukuma Shinkin Bank, a local credit union, and an additional 50 million yen from the Mitsubishi Disaster Relief Foundation (MCDRF). The farm will utilize farming techniques that make use of sunlight.

 

Minamisoma Fukko Agri was founded in January 2013 with the aim of undertaking initiatives to support recovery in the town of Minamisoma, one of the areas most devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011. The approximately 1.5-hectare greenhouse for tomato cultivation will be constructed on a 2・4 hectare property owned by the town, and including a delivery area and administration building. The farm will employ about 35 local residents and provide training in farm management.

 

Minamisoma Fukko’s facilities are scheduled for completion in November 2015, with tomato seedlings slated for planting the following month. Delivery of the first shipment of tomatoes is planned for the spring of 2016. Minamisoma Fukko’s target is to produce 660 tons of tomatoes annually within the next four years, reaching 200 million yen in sales by 2018. As a newly formed business enterprise, the initiative is also expected to provide hands-on expertise and develop capable human resources in skills related to farm-management as well as agriculture-related technical expertise that can be shared with the rest of the community, thereby contributing to the recovery and growth of the region’s agro-business industry.

                     

MCDRF therefore supports Minamisoma Fukko Agri’s initiatives because they stand to contribute to the generation of employment and the overall revitalization of economic activity in the region. Almost four years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, but recovery efforts in areas severely damaged by the disaster are still underway. MCDRF will continue to work with local financial institutions such as Abukuma Shinkin Bank to support efforts aimed at employment creation and economic recovery in areas affected by the disaster.

 

Minaminsoma Tomato Farm

1.    Location:Kawauchisaku 310-6, Shimota Aza,Haramachi-ku, Minamisoma, Fukushima, Japan

2.    Area:24,088 m²

3.    Start Date:December 2015

4.    Volume:660 tons (of fresh tomatoes)

5.    Sales:200 million yen

 

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: Production 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:Tsuneo Hanzawa, 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)