Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Agriculture Launches First Project: "Apple Planting Ceremony" Held in Muroran City, Hokkaido

Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Agriculture Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Masahiro Miwa; hereinafter "the Company"), an agricultural business subsidiary jointly established by Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd. and Nippon Agriculture Co., Ltd., a next-generation agribusiness company promoting smart agriculture and global expansion (Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO and Representative Director: Shohei Naito), is pleased to announce that its first cultivation project, apple production utilizing "high-density planting" (*1), commenced in Muroran City, Hokkaido, on May 8, 2026.

To commemorate the opening of the farmland and the start of cultivation, an "apple planting ceremony" was held on May 8, attended by approximately 80 people, including Muroran City Mayor Takeshi Aoyama, Hokkaido Prefectural Government Iburi General Development Bureau Director Mitsuru Makino, Muroran City Deputy Mayor Shinichi Nara, Muroran City officials, and children and their families from nearby kindergartens.

▲ (From left) Muroran City Mayor Takeshi Aoyama, Hokkaido Prefectural Government Iburi General Development Bureau Director Mitsuru Makino, Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd. Representative Director and Vice President Keiichi Yoshizawa, Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Agriculture Co., Ltd. President and Representative Director Seiji Suzuki, Nippon Agriculture Co., Ltd. Director and COO Akihito Kawai ▲ Scene from the planting experience event by local kindergarten children

This year, out of approximately 5 hectares of farmland, a total of 3,199 apple trees of 3 varieties are scheduled to be planted in the 0.75 hectares opened in fiscal year 2026: "Fuji: 1,029 trees," "Gunma Meigetsu: 2,142 trees," and "Shinano Sweet: 28 trees." High-density planting is characterized by early and high yields, and a small harvest and shipment are expected to be possible in 2028, two years from now. Furthermore, stable and maximized yields are anticipated around the 6th year after planting (around 2031), as the trees mature.

Regarding "Shinano Sweet," it is being introduced as an experimental planting to confirm its varietal characteristics and adaptability to the local conditions. Going forward, the company plans to gradually consider expanding the number of cultivated trees while assessing growth conditions, yields, and quality.

*1: High-density planting is a cultivation method that is becoming mainstream globally, seeking profitability and efficiency. While the average yield of apples grown by methods widely adopted in Japan is about 2 tons per 10 ares, high-density planting is said to enable a yield of about 6 tons per 10 ares, three times that amount. By training individual trees thinly, the number of trees planted per unit area can be increased, and by planting trees in a straight line, it is suitable for streamlining farm work. (From Nippon Agriculture's website)

Muroran City, Hokkaido, is a region where Nisshin Kowa Real Estate has built a strong relationship of trust with the administration through many years of urban development. Since an environment was in place to quickly and flexibly advance discussions regarding land utilization, it became the location for this orchard.

Furthermore, as a result of careful examination of the climate conditions and land characteristics of the region with Nippon Agriculture, and considering the recent trend of agricultural production areas shifting northward due to global warming, it was confirmed that Muroran City could become a new suitable area for apple cultivation. In addition, comprehensive judgment of market potential, such as robust domestic demand for apples and expanding exports, coupled with the applicability of "high-density planting," a cultivation method adopted by Nippon Agriculture that allows for intensification and improved productivity, leads to expectations for apples as a promising crop.

In the future, aiming to be an agri-developer that produces crops suitable for the land, not only within the Nisshin Kowa Real Estate business area but also targeting a wider area, the company aims to establish a production system of 100 hectares within 10 years. In addition to expanding production scale, the company plans to develop logistics infrastructure, branding, and tourist orchards in the vicinity of the farmlands.

■ Outline of Hokkaido Muroran City "Apple Planting Ceremony"

■ Date: Friday, May 8, 2026, 11:00 AM ~

■ Venue: Planned apple orchard site in Muroran City, Hokkaido (Address: 77-2 Horomoecho, Muroran City, Hokkaido)

■ Content: Greetings from organizers and guests / Photo session / Apple planting experience / Apple tasting

■ Participants: Takeshi Aoyama, Mayor of Muroran City, Hokkaido

Mitsuru Makino, Director, Iburi General Development Bureau, Hokkaido Prefectural Government

Shinichi Nara, Deputy Mayor of Muroran City, Hokkaido

Keiichi Yoshizawa, Representative Director and Vice President, Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd.

Seiji Suzuki, President and Representative Director, Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Agriculture Co., Ltd.

Akihito Kawai, Director and COO, Nippon Agriculture Co., Ltd.

Muroran City officials

Children and their families from nearby kindergartens

■ Overview of Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Agriculture Co., Ltd.

Trade Name: Nisshin Kowa Real Estate Agriculture Co., Ltd.

Location: 1-4-4 Nakajimahommachi, Muroran City, Hokkaido

Representative: Seiji Suzuki, President and Representative Director

Date of Establishment: December 12, 2025

Capital: 100 million yen

URL: https://www.nskre-agri.co.jp/

■ Hokkaido Muroran City Horomoecho Apple Cultivation Project

Target Area: 77-2 Horomoecho, Muroran City, Hokkaido (Lot Number)

Cultivation Area: Planting area 4.75ha (approx. 0.75ha opened in Spring 2026, approx. 3.98ha opened in Spring 2027)