[Josai International University] Towards its 3rd year with the community. The form of regional problem-solving built by the Sanmu Strawberry Project
The 'Sanmu Strawberry Project,' a collaboration between Josai International University and local strawberry farm 'Nagomi Ichigoen,' has entered its third year. Students handle everything from strawberry production to sales, contributing to regional food loss reduction and revitalization, while gaining practical learning experiences.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 18:18
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Professor Yoko Kunitake of the Department of General Management, Faculty of Business Administration, Josai International University, and her students are at the core of the 'Sanmu Strawberry Project,' which is conducted in collaboration with a local strawberry farm, 'Nagomi Ichigoen' (Sanmu City, Chiba Prefecture). This initiative is now in its third year and continuously addresses the revitalization of Sanmu City and regional problem-solving.
Driving northeast from the Chiba Togane Campus, the border between Togane City and Sanmu City soon comes into view. About 5km further, you reach a region known as 'Strawberry Road' along National Route 126, where strawberry cultivation is thriving. Strawberries, which are in season from January to March, see their prices drop in April, while their ripening speed accelerates. Consequently, many strawberry farm owners hesitate to employ workers during this period due to reduced income. Furthermore, the rising temperatures accelerate ripening, making harvesting time restrictions stricter, leading to a significant problem of 'food loss' where crops must be discarded because work cannot keep up.
Mr. Kazuhiro Urano, representative of Nagomi Ichigoen, was one of those troubled by the increasing amount of loss due to rising temperatures around April in recent years. This project, which began in FY2024 between Professor Kunitake (who participates in the Sanmu Economic Gardening Promotion Council) and Nagomi Ichigoen, is now in its third year and has developed into an indispensable partnership for both parties.
"It has become an annual tradition for students to come, making it easier to plan the season's schedule. Their harvesting and care give us more time, allowing us to plan sales to distant locations," says Mr. Urano with a smile.
The project consists of an interdisciplinary team, including students from Professor Kunitake's seminar in the Faculty of Business Administration, as well as students from the Department of Tourism, Department of Media and Information, and Department of Nursing, all participating through the university-wide common foundation course 'Regional Collaboration Project I.'
The students organize their own shifts, gathering at the strawberry farm around 6 AM twice a week in April. They spent about two hours picking and sorting strawberries. In return for this activity, they received non-standard sized strawberries (under 9g) that would normally be discarded due to not meeting sales specifications. They then set up a booth at the student cafeteria of Chiba Togane Campus to sell them.
The students managed the entire process from harvesting to consumption, including early morning picking and sorting, packing, shift management, pricing, and creating POP displays. Initially, the students were responsible for only a part of the work, but now their roles have expanded to actively thinking about sales methods and presentation.
At the sales floor, they sold nearly 30 packs daily, carefully balancing supply and demand. By handling 5-6 varieties each day and engaging in customer service tailored to the unique characteristics of each flavor, this experience went beyond mere sales, providing practical marketing experience.
Mr. Narikawa, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Business Administration and seminar leader, said, "This year, we created POPs describing the flavor characteristics of each variety. I feel that people enjoyed comparing them, and their popularity among women increased. The seminar's Instagram posts also feel like they are reaching current students. We are planning to continue the old folk house cafe initiative we did last year, and I want to proceed with developing menus using these strawberries there." He looks forward to the project's further development.
Driving northeast from the Chiba Togane Campus, the border between Togane City and Sanmu City soon comes into view. About 5km further, you reach a region known as 'Strawberry Road' along National Route 126, where strawberry cultivation is thriving. Strawberries, which are in season from January to March, see their prices drop in April, while their ripening speed accelerates. Consequently, many strawberry farm owners hesitate to employ workers during this period due to reduced income. Furthermore, the rising temperatures accelerate ripening, making harvesting time restrictions stricter, leading to a significant problem of 'food loss' where crops must be discarded because work cannot keep up.
Mr. Kazuhiro Urano, representative of Nagomi Ichigoen, was one of those troubled by the increasing amount of loss due to rising temperatures around April in recent years. This project, which began in FY2024 between Professor Kunitake (who participates in the Sanmu Economic Gardening Promotion Council) and Nagomi Ichigoen, is now in its third year and has developed into an indispensable partnership for both parties.
"It has become an annual tradition for students to come, making it easier to plan the season's schedule. Their harvesting and care give us more time, allowing us to plan sales to distant locations," says Mr. Urano with a smile.
The project consists of an interdisciplinary team, including students from Professor Kunitake's seminar in the Faculty of Business Administration, as well as students from the Department of Tourism, Department of Media and Information, and Department of Nursing, all participating through the university-wide common foundation course 'Regional Collaboration Project I.'
The students organize their own shifts, gathering at the strawberry farm around 6 AM twice a week in April. They spent about two hours picking and sorting strawberries. In return for this activity, they received non-standard sized strawberries (under 9g) that would normally be discarded due to not meeting sales specifications. They then set up a booth at the student cafeteria of Chiba Togane Campus to sell them.
The students managed the entire process from harvesting to consumption, including early morning picking and sorting, packing, shift management, pricing, and creating POP displays. Initially, the students were responsible for only a part of the work, but now their roles have expanded to actively thinking about sales methods and presentation.
At the sales floor, they sold nearly 30 packs daily, carefully balancing supply and demand. By handling 5-6 varieties each day and engaging in customer service tailored to the unique characteristics of each flavor, this experience went beyond mere sales, providing practical marketing experience.
Mr. Narikawa, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Business Administration and seminar leader, said, "This year, we created POPs describing the flavor characteristics of each variety. I feel that people enjoyed comparing them, and their popularity among women increased. The seminar's Instagram posts also feel like they are reaching current students. We are planning to continue the old folk house cafe initiative we did last year, and I want to proceed with developing menus using these strawberries there." He looks forward to the project's further development.