A First in Hokkaido's Fruit Sector! TRAILIX Certified for Production Method Innovation Under Smart Agriculture Act
TRAILIX, a subsidiary of Wismettac Group, has become the first fruit production entity in Hokkaido to be certified under the Smart Agriculture Technology Promotion Act for its innovative apple production plan involving auto-steering and high-density planting.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 19:00
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Nishimoto Wismettac Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; Chairman & CEO: Yoshiro Susaki) announced that TRAILIX Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kyowa Town, Hokkaido; President: Haruyuki Asayama), an agricultural corporation established with Nordex Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kyowa Town, Hokkaido; President: Kazuya Uchiyama), received certification for its 'Production Method Innovation Implementation Plan' from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on March 24, 2026. This certification is based on the 'Act on the Promotion of Utilization of Smart Agricultural Technology for Improving Agricultural Productivity (Smart Agriculture Technology Promotion Act).'
▼ Introduction of High-Density Planting for Labor Saving
This certification marks the 10th implementation plan in Hokkaido. While previous cases covered land-intensive crops like broccoli, cabbage, wheat, soybeans, and open-field vegetables or dairy, this is the first certification in Hokkaido for fruit trees (apples). As the first smart agriculture certification case in the fruit sector within Hokkaido, TRAILIX will build a new model for domestic apple production.
Reference: https://www.maff.go.jp/hokkaido/press/suishin/keieiantei/260324.html
■ About the 'Smart Agriculture Technology Promotion Act' and 'Production Method Innovation Implementation Plan'
This system was implemented in October 2024 to respond to environmental changes such as the decrease and aging of farmers and to improve agricultural productivity. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries certifies plans (Production Method Innovation Implementation Plans) regarding the utilization of smart agricultural technology combined with the introduction of new production methods for agricultural products.
[Outline of the Production Method Innovation Implementation Plan at TRAILIX]
■ Background and Purpose of Certification
Traditional apple cultivation (Malus baccata or semi-dwarf cultivation) makes mechanization difficult in terms of orchard structure, tree shape management, and thinning, creating a serious challenge for maintaining production volume amid the decline and aging of farmers. TRAILIX formulated this plan to solve these issues and achieve sustainable agriculture by combining the latest smart agricultural technology (auto-steering tractors) with a new production method (labor-saving tree shapes). Through the execution of this plan, the company will aggressively advance its business development.
■ Introduced Technologies
The greatest feature of this plan is the simultaneous introduction of smart agricultural technology and new cultivation methods. By integrating both, it becomes possible to efficiently execute a series of tasks such as pest control in large-scale orchards.
Smart Agricultural Technology: 'Auto-Steering Tractor'
By introducing auto-steering tractors with straight-line assist, precise mechanization of pest control becomes possible regardless of skill level.
Labor-Saving Tree Shape: Introduction of 'High-Density Planting' (Innovation in Production Method)
By adopting 'high-density planting,' where dwarf seedlings are planted linearly at high density, and designing the entire orchard to be easy for mechanical operations, the introduction of large agricultural machinery for orchard management can progress, leading to further labor savings.
■ Expected Effects
By improving yields and increasing efficiency through mechanization, labor input per unit of harvest volume will be reduced, achieving sustainable apple production. Additionally, this certification allows for the utilization of long-term loans from the Japan Finance Corporation, tax incentives for capital investment, and one-stop administrative procedures related to the Aviation Act and Agricultural Land Act.
Target Crop: Apples
Smart Agricultural Technology: Auto-steering tractors (Straight-line assist)
New Production Method: Introduction of labor-saving tree shapes (High-density planting)
Upon receiving this certification, the company aims for the stable production of 'Japanese apples,' for which global demand is rising, and to solve Japan's agricultural challenges. We will further promote the construction and business development of a large-scale, labor-saving, and sustainable apple production model at TRAILIX.
[TRAILIX Co., Ltd. Company Profile]
Company Name: TRAILIX Co., Ltd.
Representative: Haruyuki Asayama
Established: May 23, 2025
Location: Kyowa Town, Iwanai District, Hokkaido
Business Description: Production, processing, sales, storage, and transportation of agricultural products
■ What is TRAILIX Co., Ltd.?
TRAILIX is a new agricultural corporation established with the aim of stably producing 'Japanese apples' and solving Japanese agricultural issues. In addition to its imported produce business, Wismettac exports high-value-added Japanese produce to Asian countries and other overseas markets. Based on its global procurement and distribution business for produce, Wismettac is promoting business expansion into the production (upstream) area as a 'Value-Chain Orchestrator' that designs and leads the entire value chain.
▼ Introduction of High-Density Planting for Labor Saving
This certification marks the 10th implementation plan in Hokkaido. While previous cases covered land-intensive crops like broccoli, cabbage, wheat, soybeans, and open-field vegetables or dairy, this is the first certification in Hokkaido for fruit trees (apples). As the first smart agriculture certification case in the fruit sector within Hokkaido, TRAILIX will build a new model for domestic apple production.
Reference: https://www.maff.go.jp/hokkaido/press/suishin/keieiantei/260324.html
■ About the 'Smart Agriculture Technology Promotion Act' and 'Production Method Innovation Implementation Plan'
This system was implemented in October 2024 to respond to environmental changes such as the decrease and aging of farmers and to improve agricultural productivity. The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries certifies plans (Production Method Innovation Implementation Plans) regarding the utilization of smart agricultural technology combined with the introduction of new production methods for agricultural products.
[Outline of the Production Method Innovation Implementation Plan at TRAILIX]
■ Background and Purpose of Certification
Traditional apple cultivation (Malus baccata or semi-dwarf cultivation) makes mechanization difficult in terms of orchard structure, tree shape management, and thinning, creating a serious challenge for maintaining production volume amid the decline and aging of farmers. TRAILIX formulated this plan to solve these issues and achieve sustainable agriculture by combining the latest smart agricultural technology (auto-steering tractors) with a new production method (labor-saving tree shapes). Through the execution of this plan, the company will aggressively advance its business development.
■ Introduced Technologies
The greatest feature of this plan is the simultaneous introduction of smart agricultural technology and new cultivation methods. By integrating both, it becomes possible to efficiently execute a series of tasks such as pest control in large-scale orchards.
Smart Agricultural Technology: 'Auto-Steering Tractor'
By introducing auto-steering tractors with straight-line assist, precise mechanization of pest control becomes possible regardless of skill level.
Labor-Saving Tree Shape: Introduction of 'High-Density Planting' (Innovation in Production Method)
By adopting 'high-density planting,' where dwarf seedlings are planted linearly at high density, and designing the entire orchard to be easy for mechanical operations, the introduction of large agricultural machinery for orchard management can progress, leading to further labor savings.
■ Expected Effects
By improving yields and increasing efficiency through mechanization, labor input per unit of harvest volume will be reduced, achieving sustainable apple production. Additionally, this certification allows for the utilization of long-term loans from the Japan Finance Corporation, tax incentives for capital investment, and one-stop administrative procedures related to the Aviation Act and Agricultural Land Act.
Target Crop: Apples
Smart Agricultural Technology: Auto-steering tractors (Straight-line assist)
New Production Method: Introduction of labor-saving tree shapes (High-density planting)
Upon receiving this certification, the company aims for the stable production of 'Japanese apples,' for which global demand is rising, and to solve Japan's agricultural challenges. We will further promote the construction and business development of a large-scale, labor-saving, and sustainable apple production model at TRAILIX.
[TRAILIX Co., Ltd. Company Profile]
Company Name: TRAILIX Co., Ltd.
Representative: Haruyuki Asayama
Established: May 23, 2025
Location: Kyowa Town, Iwanai District, Hokkaido
Business Description: Production, processing, sales, storage, and transportation of agricultural products
■ What is TRAILIX Co., Ltd.?
TRAILIX is a new agricultural corporation established with the aim of stably producing 'Japanese apples' and solving Japanese agricultural issues. In addition to its imported produce business, Wismettac exports high-value-added Japanese produce to Asian countries and other overseas markets. Based on its global procurement and distribution business for produce, Wismettac is promoting business expansion into the production (upstream) area as a 'Value-Chain Orchestrator' that designs and leads the entire value chain.