March 29, 2026 National University Corporation Okayama University

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/

◆ Overview

On February 20, 2026, National University Corporation Okayama University (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Okayama City, President: Yasuyuki Hibino) visited the "Oiso Farm" in Oiso Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, operated by Synecoculture General Incorporated Association, aiming for further development of the "Okayama Synecoculture (Synergistic Farming) Project," which is being promoted as part of the Cabinet Office's "Program for the Enhancement of Innovation Creation Environments in Regional Core Universities.".

The tour included students from Okayama University's Faculty of Economics and Faculty of Agriculture, Assistant Professor Jun Yamashita from the Advanced Research Division (Institute of Resource Plant Science), industry-academia collaboration coordinators, regional revitalization cooperation members, employees from a startup company handling AI agents, beekeepers, and students from Tokyo University of Agriculture. Participants deepened their knowledge through this cross-generational gathering of academia, industry, government, and citizens.

On the day, participants toured the Oiso Farm, an advanced example of Synecoculture, and received a lecture on the key principles of environmental management where diverse plants coexist. Attendees keenly observed the farm, where different flowers bloom each season and the ecosystem cycles. Afterwards, they moved to the office of Synecoculture General Incorporated Association, where they engaged in lively discussions in a relaxed atmosphere over homemade cola and herbal teas made from herbs harvested at the farm.

During the exchange meeting, discussions covered technological possibilities and expectations for social implementation from multifaceted perspectives unique to the interdisciplinary group. Regarding technology, interest focused on the efficient utilization of gaps through the construction of digital twins using AI, and methods for circulating mowed grass as green manure. Deep insights were also shared on the social and emotional significance of the project. Diverse application possibilities were suggested, such as improving landscapes by introducing it into home gardens and contributing to the well-being of busy entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the design of the rounded "Syneco Portal" became a topic of conversation, and it was recognized that the "process of active human engagement," where people from diverse backgrounds, from students to researchers, gather and handle herbs together, leads to true regional co-creation.

Okayama University will continue to promote the construction of a sustainable social implementation model based on the philosophy of Synecoculture through close collaboration among academia, industry, government, and citizens. Leveraging the knowledge gained from this visit, the university will further accelerate the creation of an "environmentally harmonious next-generation agricultural model" by integrating it with generative AI, image recognition, and robotics technologies. We look forward to your continued support for the initiatives of Okayama University, a regional core and distinctive research university.

This information was released by Okayama University on March 3, 2026.

◆ Reference Information Synergistic Farming (Synecoculture) (Sony CSL)

https://www.sonycsl.co.jp/worldviews/synecoculture-and-augmented-ecosystems/ ※ "Synergistic Farming®" is a registered trademark of Sakura Nature School Co., Ltd. ※ "Synecoculture™" is a trademark of Sony Group Corporation.

Students observing the circular Syneco Portal

The group touring Oiso Farm

Students happily harvesting herbs

Exchanging opinions while enjoying homemade cola and herbal tea

◆ Reference

Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Synecoculture General Incorporated Association

https://synecoculture.org/

◆ Reference Information 1 ・[Okayama University] Regional Co-creation Initiative "Synecoculture Project in Miyoshi City" Launched ~Towards a Future of Nature-Symbiotic Society from the Terraced Rice Fields of World Agricultural Heritage Miyoshi City~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003646.000072793.html ・[Okayama University] Regional Co-creation Initiative "Okayama Synecoculture (Synergistic Farming) Project in Niimi City" Launched ~Towards the Regeneration of Raw Materials for Traditional Crafts, Jindai Washi Paper~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003477.000072793.html ・[Okayama University] Regional Co-creation Initiative "Synecoculture (Synergistic Farming) Project" Conducts Bed Preparation & Fruit Tree, Seedling, and Seed Planting Operations ~Student-Led Design of Nature-Symbiotic Farm~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003399.000072793.html ・[Okayama University] Regional Co-creation Initiative "Synecoculture (Synergistic Farming) Project" Officially Launched ~Remote-Controlled Mower Jointly Developed by Industry, Academia, and Government to be Tested~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003313.000072793.html ・[Okayama University] Regional Co-creation Initiative "Synergistic Farming Project" Launched ~Aiming for Regional Development Symbiotic with Nature through the Regeneration of Abandoned Farmland~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003220.000072793.html ・[Okayama University] Regional Co-creation Initiative "Okayama Synecoculture (Synergistic Farming) Project in Niimi City" ~Installation of Wildlife Fences Utilizing Corporate Surplus Resources and Deepening Regional Exchange~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003840.000072793.html

◆ Reference Information 2 ・[Okayama University] Selected for MEXT's "Program for the Enhancement of Research Complexes, Characteristics, and Strengths of Regional Universities (J-PEAKS)" ~Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university at the core of global innovation by co-creating the future of regions and the planet, and building a mountain range of world-class research universities in Japan~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001935.000072793.html ・[Okayama University] Selected for the Cabinet Office's "FY2024 Program for the Enhancement of Innovation Creation Environments in Regional Core Universities" ~Creating Regional Innovation through the Resonance of National and Prefectural Universities in the Land of Sunshine~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002696.000072793.html

Okayama University Tsushima Campus (Kita-ku, Okayama City)

◆ Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Matter

Takaaki Funakura, Deputy Director, Department of Industry-Academia Collaboration, Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization, Okayama University

1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530, Okayama University Tsushima Campus, Main Building TEL: 086-251-7151 E-mail: co-creation◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp *Please replace ◎ with @

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/tp/news/news_id15120.html

Regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital, etc. (for pharmaceutical and medical device company representatives) Okayama University Hospital, Center for Innovative Medical Research and Development 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558 Please inquire about relevant matters via the URL below http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/ph_company/

Regarding collaboration with Okayama University Hospital, etc. (for medical professionals and researchers) Okayama University Hospital, Research Promotion Division, Industry-Academia Collaboration Promotion Office 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8558 TEL: 086-235-7983 E-mail: ouh-csnw◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp *Please replace ◎ with @ http://shin-iryo.hospital.okayama-u.ac.jp/medical/

Inquiries regarding industry-academia collaboration, etc. at Okayama University Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization, Department of Industry-Academia Collaboration 1st Floor, Main Building, Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530 TEL: 086-251-8463 E-mail: sangaku◎okayama-u.ac.jp *Please replace ◎ with @ https://www.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Inquiries regarding shared research equipment (core facilities), etc. at Okayama University Task Force for Strengthening and Promoting the System for Sharing Research Equipment at Okayama University (Abbreviation: Team Kyoyo) 1st Floor, Main Building, Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530 TEL: 086-251-8705 FAX: 086-251-7114 E-mail: cfp◎okayama-u.ac.jp *Please replace ◎ with @ https://corefacility-potal.fsp.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Inquiries regarding startups and ventures at Okayama University

Okayama University Research and Innovation Co-creation Organization, Startup and Venture Creation Headquarters

1st Floor, Main Building, Okayama University Tsushima Campus, 1-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama 700-8530 E-mail: start-up1◎adm.okayama-u.ac.jp *Please replace ◎ with @

https://venture.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Okayama University Media "OTD" (App): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000011.000072793.html Okayama University Media "OTD" (Web): https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000215.000072793.html

Okayama University Original Goods Online Shop: https://okadaigoods.official.ec/

Okayama University Integrated Report 2025: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003715.000072793.html Okayama University SDGs Website: https://sdgs.okayama-u.ac.jp/ Okayama University SDGs ~Thinking about the Sustainability of Local Communities (YouTube): https://youtu.be/Qdqjy4mw4ik Okayama University Image Movie (YouTube): https://youtu.be/pKMHm4XJLtw

Okayama University Program for the Enhancement of Research Complexes, Characteristics, and Strengths of Regional Universities (J-PEAKS): https://j-peaks.orsd.okayama-u.ac.jp/

Industry-Academia Co-creation Activity "Okayama University Open Innovation Challenge" Partner Recruitment for January 2026: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000003714.000072793.html

Cost-effective research equipment rental/lease "SX Platform" with no installation, maintenance, repair, or removal fees

https://sxplatform.jp/

National University Corporation Okayama University supports the United Nations' "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" and received a Special Award at the first "Japan SDGs Awards." We look forward to the co-education and co-creation initiatives of Okayama University as a regional core and distinctive research university.

・ [Okayama University] Selected for MEXT's "Program for the Enhancement of Research Complexes, Characteristics, and Strengths of Regional Universities (J-PEAKS)" ~Accelerating the realization of Okayama University as a research university at the core of global innovation by co-creating the future of regions and the planet, and building a mountain range of world-class research universities in Japan~

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001935.000072793.html

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