Aquaponics combines aquaculture with hydroponics, growing plants without soil. The NTT East test uses fish feces as fertilizer instead of agricultural chemicals.

How does Oishii Farm use AI?

It uses AI to manage breeding conditions for bees, which pollinate strawberries, raising the pollination rate to 95%.

How many plant factories does Japan have?

Japan has about 440 plant factories, up 40% from a decade ago.

Large Language ModelsRoboticsAI Business & IndustryJapan Times TechAug 25, 2026Aug 25, 2026, 16:01 JST

Japan indoor farms turn to AI, sensors as farmers dwindle

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3 Key Points

What happened
Oishii Farm, which runs a strawberry factory in the U.S., set up a new R&D base in Hamura, Tokyo, to develop methods for growing tomatoes and robots for planting and packaging. NTT East and partners launched an aquaponics test combining koi carp and ginseng.
Why it matters
Japan's farmer numbers dropped from about 2.05 million in 2010 to about 980,000 in 2026. The government wants ¥4.6 trillion in investment in plant factories by fiscal 2040, but high initial costs and electricity bills have led some operators to bankruptcy.
What to watch
Oishii's AI boosted strawberry pollination to 95%; NTT East's method cuts cultivation to months, from years. Watch for whether these technologies can overcome cost hurdles and achieve profitability, as even a manager warns that capital and energy costs could keep profits elusive.

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Context & Analysis

Japan's farmer shortage is pushing companies to innovate in indoor farming. Oishii Farm's AI-managed bee breeding speeds up progress, achieving years of breeding in one year. The government's ¥4.6 trillion target shows a push toward modernization, but the sector's high costs pose a risk, with bankruptcies already occurring. Success will depend on balancing technology benefits with capital and energy expenses.

FAQ

What is aquaponics?: Aquaponics combines aquaculture with hydroponics, growing plants without soil. The NTT East test uses fish feces as fertilizer instead of agricultural chemicals.
How does Oishii Farm use AI?: It uses AI to manage breeding conditions for bees, which pollinate strawberries, raising the pollination rate to 95%.
How many plant factories does Japan have?: Japan has about 440 plant factories, up 40% from a decade ago.

Japan Times TechRead Original Article

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