NEXT ONE Launches Joint Research with Chiba University and Japan Plant Technologies to Establish Production Technology for High-Value Strawberries

NEXT ONE (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Toru Saito; hereafter 'NEXT ONE'), in collaboration with Chiba University (President: Kotaro Yokote) and Japan Plant Technologies (CEO: Mitsuyoshi Shi; hereafter 'Japan Plant Technologies'), has launched a joint research project in February 2026 titled 'Selection of Strawberry Varieties and Development of High-Value Cultivation Techniques for the Premium Market.'

This joint research combines Chiba University’s expertise in protected horticulture and cultivation physiology, Japan Plant Technologies’ expertise in plant factories and protected cultivation, and NEXT ONE’s operational insights from its 'Meguru Farm' employment facility for individuals with disabilities to establish high-market-value strawberry cultivation techniques.

Through this partnership, NEXT ONE aims to design cultivation operations accessible to individuals with disabilities and improve the sustainability of farm operations through high-value crops, creating new opportunities in disability-focused employment farms.

## Background of the Joint Research

While demand for high-quality produce is growing, strawberry cultivation faces challenges in variety selection and establishing stable cultivation techniques, particularly during high-temperature periods.

Strawberries are sensitive to heat, and domestic supply often dips between June and November. Therefore, establishing cultivation techniques for high-temperature seasons and verifying the feasibility of year-round shipping are critical themes in the agricultural sector.

Furthermore, for disability employment farms, enhancing the value-add of agricultural products alongside optimizing work design is essential for providing stable employment environments.

This research aims to build a model that increases farm operational sustainability and contributes to future wage growth through variety selection and cultivation technology development.

## Research Themes

- Scientific selection of strawberry varieties suited for the high-value market.
- Design of cultivation operations accessible to individuals with disabilities.
- Establishment of high-temperature cultivation techniques and verification of year-round shipping potential.
- Improvement of farm sustainability through high-value crops.
- Examination of social implementation and scalability of research outcomes.

## Roles

- Chiba University: Guidance and advice on cultivation management, technical support, and overall research supervision.
- NEXT ONE: Evaluation of research outcome applications and social implementation initiatives, utilizing insights from 'Meguru Farm.'
- Japan Plant Technologies: Development of cultivation environments/facilities and optimization of cultivation techniques utilizing plant factory and protected horticulture technologies.

## About 'Meguru Farm'

NEXT ONE operates 'Meguru Farm,' a farming-based employment environment, as part of its disability employment support business. By advancing the high-value addition of crops and sophisticated work design through this research, the company aims to create a sustainable model for workers, employers, and the local community.