Japan's "plant factory" breeding workshop. Photo by Du Haichuan
The newspaper sent a special correspondent, Du Haichuan, to Japan.
Map: Japan's "plant factory" breeding workshop. Photo by Du Haichuan
Despite its small size and mountainous terrain, Japan has long been admired globally for its advanced agricultural technologies and highly efficient farming practices. As an aging population becomes more prevalent, many young people are unwilling to engage in traditional, labor-intensive agriculture. This has pushed Japan toward developing intelligent agricultural systems that reduce reliance on manual labor while increasing productivity. Recently, The Global Times reporter joined a joint mission with China, Japan, and South Korea to explore the future of agriculture. During the visit, the reporter witnessed cutting-edge Japanese agricultural models and also uncovered some important lessons from past failures.
Computer-controlled vegetables during the day, robots on duty at night
The reporter’s first stop was the Fujitsu “Autumn Color†smart farm in Sakata, Shizuoka Prefecture. Covering 85,000 square meters—equivalent to 12 football fields—the farm features large greenhouses with full-glass exteriors. The steel frame design is minimalistic, allowing maximum natural light to enter, according to the farm manager.
Before entering one of the pepper-growing greenhouses, the reporter was required to wear a plastic jacket, gloves, and disinfect their shoes and hands. Staff reminded the reporter not to touch the plants directly, maintaining a sterile environment. Inside the greenhouse, the peppers were grown in specially designed soil, with water, nutrients, and carbon dioxide delivered through underground pipelines. The bell pepper vines grew along hanging wires, and workers used specialized lift trucks to harvest them. The entire system is controlled by computers, which regulate humidity and nutrient supply.
Ito Satomi, a manager at Qiu Cai Farm, explained that the facility was established as a joint venture between Fujitsu, an agricultural finance company, and a local seed development firm. The farm has achieved high levels of automation, with real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and sunlight through multiple displays. Even during typhoons, staff can remotely control the greenhouse skylights.
At night, self-propelled robots move along tracks, using LED lights to monitor plant growth and create color imaging maps for workers to adjust environmental conditions.
"Plant Factory" Becomes a Major Investment Trend
After visiting Shizuoka, the reporter traveled to a plant factory in Chiba Prefecture. A "plant factory" uses computer-controlled environments to manage temperature, humidity, light, carbon dioxide, and nutrient solutions, enabling large-scale crop production in a small space. While the concept originated in Northern Europe, Japan was the first to implement it on a large scale. There are over 400 plant factories worldwide, half of which are located in Japan.
In a small two-story building surrounded by greenhouses at National Chiba University Park, the reporter met the 74-year-old director of the Plant Research Institute. He described how the plant factory operates in a closed environment, with staff using a unique "growth management system" to monitor vegetable development. From planting to harvest, it takes about 20 days, with 10 days needed before harvesting. A single greenhouse managed by 10 people can produce 1 million vegetables annually, generating around 100 million yen (about 5.84 million yuan). In the visitor area, the reporter also saw a small, home-sized plant factory that could be controlled via an internet app.
In recent years, plant factories have become a hot investment target globally. One reason for this surge is the widespread use of LED lighting, which significantly reduces energy costs compared to traditional methods. Researchers are also exploring the potential of plant factories to produce high-value crops such as medicinal herbs and cosmetic ingredients. Some Chinese companies have already entered this market.
Lessons from Japanese Agriculture
Earlier this year, reports surfaced that many Japanese plant factories were struggling, with only 30% operating profitably. Some major companies, like Toshiba, had pulled out of the sector. Previously, many farmers received up to 70% government subsidies to launch plant factories, but without proper technology, many failed once the subsidies ran out. Some experts consider this a cautionary tale for China's agricultural development.
Koo, a representative from the industry, noted that while only 30% of plant factories are currently profitable, he believes the 70% loss rate is normal. “New technologies often face initial challenges. Fifty years ago, no one believed greenhouses could grow vegetables. Today, 80% of Japan’s tomatoes and 90% of strawberries are grown in greenhouses.â€
Another challenge facing Japanese agriculture is insufficient funding. According to Mapletree, limited investment has put the development of plant factories in Japan and South Korea at risk. Meanwhile, Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son invested in an American plant factory, sparking debate. In China, Sanan Group and the Chinese Academy of Sciences partnered to build the world’s largest plant factory, impressing many observers.
Although Japanese farmers are known for their meticulous approach, the agricultural sector still faces challenges. Many companies operate in isolation, lacking collaboration across the supply chain. Ito Sumitani, when explaining the purpose of Qiu Cai Farm, pointed out that traditionally, Japan's agriculture was fragmented—research, production, and distribution were handled separately. While many small breeding workshops produce quality seeds, they fail to capitalize on downstream markets, limiting their value. ▲
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