New Honey Mead 'Meadol Yae', Co-developed by Vena Energy and HONEY CRAFT using 'Terraced Rice', Wins Kagoshima Mayor's Award at 2025 Kagoshima New Specialty Contest

Vena Energy, a leading green solution provider in the Asia-Pacific region responsible for the renewable energy power generation business of the Vena Global Group, announced that the new alcoholic beverage "Honey Mead meadol Yae," jointly developed with the brewing venture HONEY CRAFT, has won the Kagoshima Mayor's Award at the 2025 Kagoshima New Specialty Contest.

"Honey Mead meadol Yae" is a masterpiece born from collaboration in the Koriyama area, blending "Yae Terraced Rice Black Koji" brewed from "terraced rice" grown in the Yae terraced rice fields in the Koriyama area of Kagoshima City, with "Wildflower Honey" kept and harvested in the same area.

Revitalizing Rural Areas through Sustainable Partnerships

In 2021, Vena Energy established the general incorporated association Kazamidori (hereafter, Kazamidori) with the aim of solving the challenges of rural mountainous areas closely with local residents through a community-based approach. Many of the areas where Vena Energy advances its renewable energy business are rural mountainous areas, where aging and depopulation are progressing, resulting in a severe shortage of people to lead community activities, a decline in village functions, and difficulties in maintaining local traditional culture and industries.

Since 2023, as part of the revitalization of the Koriyama area in Kagoshima City, Kazamidori has been jointly conducting activities with HONEY CRAFT to protect and nurture the "Yae Terraced Rice Fields." The revitalization activities started with supporting the relocation of HONEY CRAFT's production base and employees to the Koriyama area, leading to joint product development to brand the "Yae Terraced Rice Fields," which birthed "Honey Mead meadol Yae."

Furthermore, Kazamidori and HONEY CRAFT have rented two plots in the Yae terraced rice fields to grow rice. They also host agricultural experiences for children and families, fostering understanding of local agriculture while deepening intergenerational bonds through agritourism, and putting effort into creating a lively atmosphere in the community. About 30 people participate in each annual rice planting and harvesting event, enjoying the work in the rice paddies followed by rice balls made from the rice harvested in the Yae terraced fields, creating opportunities to experience the value of "local production for local consumption."

[Left & Right: Rice planting and harvesting at Yae terraced fields co-hosted by HONEY CRAFT and Vena Energy; Center: Yae terraced fields and Sakurajima]

Promoting Renewable Energy while Achieving "Community Coexistence"

Vena Energy develops, constructs, owns, and operates renewable energy projects including solar, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) across the Asia-Pacific region. Under the corporate philosophy of "coexistence with local communities," the company aims to contribute to the long-term and sustainable development of regions through its renewable energy business.

Many of Vena Energy's business development areas are located in rural mountainous regions like Kagoshima City. As exemplified by Kazamidori's initiatives, we will continue our efforts to promote energy businesses that lead to the sustainable strengthening of the local foundation and the revitalization of the local economy.

Raul Rienda, Head of Japan at Vena Energy, stated:
"Our company is working on the energy transition to renewable energy with 'coexistence with the community' as our corporate policy. It is a great honor that 'Honey Mead meadol Yae,' created jointly by Kazamidori and HONEY CRAFT valuing collaboration with the local community, has received the prestigious Kagoshima Mayor's Award at the 2025 Kagoshima New Specialty Contest. We will continue to contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society by 2050 as set forth by the Japanese government, while further deepening our coexistence with local communities and contributing to the construction of sustainable local societies and economic development."

About the Kagoshima New Specialty Contest

The "Kagoshima New Specialty Contest," hosted by the Kagoshima Prefecture Specialty Products Association, aims to promote the creation of salable products that meet diversifying consumer needs by widely recruiting newly developed, manufactured, or improved products within the prefecture, intending to improve producers' techniques and heighten their motivation for product development.

About General Incorporated Association Kazamidori

Kazamidori mainly conducts the following businesses centered on the rural areas and villages in Ichikikushikino City, Satsumasendai City, and Kagoshima City in Kagoshima Prefecture, with the aim of further developing and revitalizing the local economy.
1) Searching for local seeds / Supporting the discovery and organization of local issues and resources
2) Providing grant support to groups engaging in local activities
3) Local project support activities / Dispatching experts to regions, accompanying local challenges (advice and consulting)

Main activities (excerpt)
- Ichikikushi