Innoqua Launches 'Tanbo Lab' Education Program in Collaboration with Kanuma City to Explore Local Nature
Innoqua Inc. is partnering with Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture, to launch 'Tanbo Lab,' an edutainment program for local children, starting in July 2026. The program redefines the value of rice paddies using Innoqua's technology, allowing children to explore local nature through scientific research processes.
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- 📰 Published: May 22, 2026 at 20:00
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Innoqua Inc., a company dedicated to the 'visualization' and 'valuation' of nature using its proprietary 'Environment Transfer Technology®,' has announced a partnership with Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture, to launch 'Tanbo Lab,' an edutainment-based education program centered on local 'rice paddies' as natural capital, starting in July 2026.
Background
Rice paddies, which support regional ecosystems, are rapidly disappearing across Japan. In Tochigi Prefecture, the area of rice paddies has decreased by approximately 14,000 hectares (about 15%) over the past 30 years, with significant increases in abandoned farmland in semi-mountainous areas like Kanuma City. Additionally, children's opportunities for nature experiences are declining, with the percentage of children who regularly go insect collecting dropping from approximately 90% in the past to about 60%. Although Kanuma City remains rich in biodiversity, including endangered species like the Tokyo salamander and the loach, children often find it difficult to grasp the ecological significance of their surroundings. Consequently, Innoqua is localizing its marine biology expertise to 'rice paddies,' redefining local nature as 'educational edutainment.'
Program Features: Standardizing the Inquiry Process
Participating children will join as 'apprentice researchers' for the 'Secret Research Organization Innoqua.' They will experience the same research processes used by professional scientists over one season:
- Session 1 (July 11): Fieldwork - Collect the 'Whys' of Kanuma.
- Session 2 (July 18): Strategy Meeting - Formulate hypotheses and design experiments.
- Session 3 (Aug 8): Data Analysis - Summarize findings on a poster.
- Session 4 (Aug 23): Presentation - Present at the 'Kanuma Environmental Inquiry Society.'
Stakeholder Comments
Shoichi Matsui, Mayor of Kanuma City, expressed high expectations, stating, 'We are merging Innoqua's advanced aquatic biology expertise with the local government's waste management knowledge to create a practical program where children learn using all five senses.'
Naoki Masuda, Director and CAO of Innoqua, noted, 'Running through rice paddies as a child was my starting point. I want to create a space where children can set their own questions and develop logical thinking skills, ultimately creating a future where nature and the economy thrive together.'
Background
Rice paddies, which support regional ecosystems, are rapidly disappearing across Japan. In Tochigi Prefecture, the area of rice paddies has decreased by approximately 14,000 hectares (about 15%) over the past 30 years, with significant increases in abandoned farmland in semi-mountainous areas like Kanuma City. Additionally, children's opportunities for nature experiences are declining, with the percentage of children who regularly go insect collecting dropping from approximately 90% in the past to about 60%. Although Kanuma City remains rich in biodiversity, including endangered species like the Tokyo salamander and the loach, children often find it difficult to grasp the ecological significance of their surroundings. Consequently, Innoqua is localizing its marine biology expertise to 'rice paddies,' redefining local nature as 'educational edutainment.'
Program Features: Standardizing the Inquiry Process
Participating children will join as 'apprentice researchers' for the 'Secret Research Organization Innoqua.' They will experience the same research processes used by professional scientists over one season:
- Session 1 (July 11): Fieldwork - Collect the 'Whys' of Kanuma.
- Session 2 (July 18): Strategy Meeting - Formulate hypotheses and design experiments.
- Session 3 (Aug 8): Data Analysis - Summarize findings on a poster.
- Session 4 (Aug 23): Presentation - Present at the 'Kanuma Environmental Inquiry Society.'
Stakeholder Comments
Shoichi Matsui, Mayor of Kanuma City, expressed high expectations, stating, 'We are merging Innoqua's advanced aquatic biology expertise with the local government's waste management knowledge to create a practical program where children learn using all five senses.'
Naoki Masuda, Director and CAO of Innoqua, noted, 'Running through rice paddies as a child was my starting point. I want to create a space where children can set their own questions and develop logical thinking skills, ultimately creating a future where nature and the economy thrive together.'
FAQ
「田んぼラボ」とはどのようなプログラムですか？
「秘密研究機関イノカ」の見習い研究員として、子どもたちが4回にわたり田んぼでのフィールドワーク、仮説構築、データ解析、成果発表を行うエデュテインメント型教育プログラムです。
イノカが鹿沼市と連携する背景は何ですか？
日本国内での水田減少や子どもの自然体験の機会減少という現状に対し、地域の自然資本である「田んぼ」の価値を再定義し、五感を通じて実践的に学ぶ機会を提供するためです。
プログラムはいつから実施されますか？
2026年7月より実施されます。全4回の構成で、フィールドワークや発表会を通じて探究学習を行います。
このプログラムを通じて期待されている成果は何ですか？
子どもたちの科学的探究心の育成、地域環境への愛着醸成、そして民間企業と行政が連携した持続可能な未来の街づくりへの貢献が期待されています。
「環境移送技術」とは何ですか？
株式会社イノカが提唱する技術で、自然環境を可視化し、その価値を再発見・最大化させるアプローチです。今回は海の生き物で培ったノウハウを田んぼへローカライズしています。