Confirming Collaboration with Diverse Stakeholders for Sustainable Food and Agriculture: The 2nd Midori GX Summit Held by Japan Agricultural News and Midori GX Lab

(Image caption: "The 2nd Midori GX Summit" shared advanced examples for realizing sustainable food and agriculture (March 18, 2026, at the University of Tokyo in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo))
Japan Agricultural News Co., Ltd. (Taito-ku, Tokyo; President: Kazushiro Tamiya) held the "2nd Midori GX Summit," an exchange event for the "Midori GX Lab" consortium aiming to realize sustainable food and agriculture, at the University of Tokyo in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, on March 18. Approximately 250 people participated both at the venue and online. The event included the awards ceremony for the "2nd Midori GX Award," which recognizes excellent practical examples of sustainable food and agriculture, a panel discussion by the award winners, and a keynote speech by a top runner in organic farming. It was confirmed that collaboration with diverse stakeholders such as producers, JAs (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives), administration, schools, and consumers is crucial for reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

(Click here for the article published in this newspaper) https://www.agrinews.co.jp/news/index/368824

**■ "2nd Midori GX Award" Honors Advanced Cases; Panel Discussion Explores Key Points for Collaboration**
(Image caption: Winners of the "2nd Midori GX Award" and others)
At the awards ceremony for the "2nd Midori GX Award," grand prizes were presented in each category. In the agriculture category, JA Gifu was recognized for establishing a "Midori Strategy Department" and systematically and proactively working to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. In the collaboration and support category, Asahikawa City, Hokkaido, and Izumiotsu City, Osaka Prefecture, were honored for promoting organic farming through remote collaboration. In the next-generation and young talent category, the Soil Research and Training Group of Aichi Prefectural Anjo Agricultural and Forestry High School was recognized for reducing mini-tomato waste and greenhouse gas emissions. A special award was given to Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, and JA Tajima for popularizing the "Stork-Friendly Farming Method" and serving as a model case for coexistence with living creatures.

The award winners participated in a panel discussion on the theme of "Connecting the Future of Food and Agriculture Together," where they discussed key points for continuous collaboration among diverse stakeholders, such as producers and consumers. Mr. Toshio Kato, head of JA Gifu's Midori Strategy Department, introduced initiatives such as showing production sites to consumers to gain their understanding. Mr. Yoshikazu Miyazaki, head of Izumiotsu City's Growth Strategy Division, pointed out that remote collaboration should start with small-scale initiatives and focus on building face-to-face relationships. The Soil Research and Training Group of Anjo Agricultural and Forestry High School explained how they involved local communities, including restaurants, by directly conveying their message through door-to-door sales. Mr. Naruhiko Sakamoto, head of Toyooka City's Stork Coexistence Department, who has promoted the "Stork-Friendly Farming Method" in a "four-way partnership" involving producers, administration, JAs, and distributors, shared how empathy for their efforts led to distributors handling their rice.

(Details of the Midori GX Award here) https://www.agrinews.co.jp/page/midori_gx_award

▼ Panel discussion exploring key points for continuous collaboration among diverse stakeholders
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**■ Introducing Advanced Examples of Large-Scale Organic Farming**
(Image caption: Mr. Takuro Sato, representative of Agreen Heart, introduced initiatives in organic farming incorporating labor-saving technologies)
Mr. Takuro Sato, representative of Agreen Heart, who practices organic farming of rice and soybeans on 59 hectares in Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture, gave a keynote speech titled "Sustainable Future through Organic Farming: Towards Labor Saving, Productivity Improvement, and Regional Coexistence." He introduced practical methods for reducing environmental impact and saving labor, such as delaying sowing to suppress weeds in soybean cultivation.

**■ Policy Recommendations Also Announced**
As the culmination of this year's Midori GX Lab activities, policy recommendations titled "Midori GX Vision" were also announced, covering the promotion of organic farming, reduced pesticide and chemical fertilizer use, and adaptation to climate change.

(Midori GX Vision ~ Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Food and Agriculture ~)
d89547-165-a8bfb4bf17012fba000131e788767113.pdf

**■ Next Seminar on April 27: High-Temperature Countermeasures for Protected Horticulture**
Midori GX Lab will hold an online seminar on April 27 (Monday) titled "Series: Conquering the Heat - High-Temperature Countermeasures for Protected Horticulture: Starting Here." Mr. Akira Saito, a protected horticulture expert from Delphi Japan, will explain basic high-temperature countermeasures. A producer of greenhouse tomatoes is also scheduled to present. Participation is free for registered members.

Sign up here

**【About Midori GX Lab】**
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Established by Japan Agricultural News in 2024 as a consortium aiming to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture, decarbonize, conserve biodiversity, and realize "sustainable food and agriculture" amidst the visible effects of climate change. It aims to solve challenges difficult for production sites alone through collaboration among diverse stakeholders such as farmers, agricultural organizations, local governments, businesses, researchers, students, and consumers.

It regularly holds online seminars and member exchange meetings, and also supports matching companies with technologies and services that lead to problem-solving with production sites. It connects learning and networking to practical implementation. Japan Agricultural News received the "Climate Change Action Minister of the Environment Award" for FY2025 in recognition of the Midori GX Lab's awareness-raising activities.

〈Overview〉
・Name: Midori GX Lab
・Organizer: Japan Agricultural News Co., Ltd.
・Representative: Shintetsu Edamoto (Former Administrative Vice Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Chairman of the Japan Fisheries Association)
・Establishment Date: July 3, 2024
・Target: All individuals and organizations interested in food and agriculture, including farmers, agricultural organizations, local governments, businesses, researchers, students, and consumers. 1771 (as of March 27, 2026)
・Official Website: https://www.agrinews.co.jp/page/midori_gx

【Contact Information】
Japan Agricultural News Co., Ltd. Solution Business Division
Email: midorigx(at)agrinews.co.jp
*Please replace (at) with the @ symbol when sending.