Sunfresh Koizumi Farms, Ltd., an agricultural enterprise in Miyagi Prefecture in northeastern Japan is the latest recipient of support from the Mitsubishi Corporation Disaster Relief Foundation (MCDRF). The funds, in the amount of 50 million yen, complements support already received from the Miyagi prefectural government, the Kesennuma local government and Kesennuma Shinkin bank, a local credit union, towards the completion of a large hydroponic facility for cultivating tomatoes in the town of Motoyoshi. A formal ceremony was held in the town today to mark the start of cultivation.

 

Koizumi Farms was established on October 8, 2014 with the collaboration of farmers in Motoyoshi who were severely affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011. A debris handling center in the town was cleared away to give way to this productive new space as part of efforts to support the revitalization of agricultural activity in the Kesennuma region, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on February 6 to mark the start of construction.

 

The new 50 by 100 meter facility is comprised of two greenhouses and is the largest tomato cultivation facility in the prefecture. Sunfresh Koizumi Farms is aiming to produce some 600 tons per year of the Momotaro variety of tomatoes, known for its tough skin tolerant to cracking and sweet tangy taste, for sale to local markets and cooperatives as well as to large supermarket brands around the Tohoku region. The facility will employ 34 people, including 20 farmers who lost their livelihoods as a result of the 2011 disasters.

 

Sunfresh Koizumi Farms will also make use of tomato products in advancing sixth industry agriculture in the region and plans to set up a fresh produce stand as well as a system for accommodating tours for kindergarten and elementary school students to provide early experience with agriculture.

 

MCDRF is supporting Sunfresh Koizumi Farms because of the social contributions the company is trying to make in Kesennuma, including its commitment to the recovery of agriculture and employment creation, among others.

 

Four and a half years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, but coastal areas of northeastern Japan that suffered severe damage are still on the way to recovery. MCDRF will continue to collaborate with local financial institutions such as Kesennuma Shinkin Bank to support initiatives aimed at the recovery of industry, employment creation and regional revitalization in areas affected by the disaster.

 

1) Headquarters:            7-3 Kitaakedo, Motoyoshi-cho, Kesennuma City, Miyagi, Japan

2) Date Established:     October 8, 2014

3) Capital:                        5 million yen

4) Business Activities:   Tomato nutriculture

6) Representative:          Keiichi Konno

 

1) Headquarters:            2-4-10 Yoka-machi, Kesennuma City, Miyagi, Japan

2) Date Established:     September 1926

3) Capital:                        7.8 billion yen

4) Business Activities:   Loans, deposits and other financial services

5) No. of Employees:     121

6) Representative:          Tsutomu Sugawara, President

 

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)