METI Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Introduces Riken Kogyo's Kazakhstan Project Utilizing Snow and Windbreak Fence Technology as a Model Case for New Overseas Market Development in Central Asia

On-site Survey in Kazakhstan
Riken Kogyo's snow fences (Japan)

Riken Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Otaru City, Hokkaido; Representative Director & President: Yukihiro Shibao; hereinafter 'Riken Kogyo'), a group company of Sekisui Jushi Corporation, has been featured as a model case for expanding into new overseas markets in Central Asia. This was published in the 'Road to Central Asia × Hokkaido: Stories of Hokkaido Companies Taking on the Challenge of New Overseas Markets' compilation, created by the Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI Hokkaido). The compilation aims to foster new overseas market development leveraging Hokkaido's strengths.

METI's HP: Model Case Collection for New Overseas Markets in Central Asia Created
Model Case Collection: https://www.hkd.meti.go.jp/hokia/20260410/case_studies.pdf

Riken Kogyo Co., Ltd. possesses high technical capabilities in the research and development of snow and windbreak fences, and owns one of Japan's leading wind tunnel testing facilities. The company has also been engaged in developing the Central Asian market for approximately 10 years, with a track record of supplying approximately 6,500 meters of snow fences to the Kyrgyz Republic as part of ODA (Official Development Assistance). Furthermore, it has been continuously engaged in discussions with the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In April 2025, the 'Traffic Safety Measures Project Utilizing Solar Powered Wind/Snow Fences Contributing to the Promotion of Carbon Neutrality' in the Republic of Kazakhstan was selected for the 'Global South Future-Oriented Co-creation Business Subsidy' by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. As part of this project, Riken Kogyo has signed MOUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with Kazakhstan National Railway, highway operating companies, and the Road and Transport Technology University, among others.

Moving forward, the company aims to establish a joint venture locally for the manufacturing of wind and snowbreak fences and to build a robust sales network covering the entire Central Asian region.

Currently, blizzard countermeasures for ensuring traffic safety are a significant societal challenge in Kazakhstan. Riken Kogyo will leverage the snow and windbreak fence technology cultivated over many years in Hokkaido to contribute to improving safety and preventing logistical disruptions in Kazakhstan and its surrounding regions, thereby realizing crucial infrastructure.

■ Riken Kogyo Co., Ltd.
https://www.riken-kogyo.co.jp/

Since its establishment in 1955, Riken Kogyo has been engaged in the research, development, manufacturing, and sales of snow and windbreak countermeasure products. The company possesses wind tunnel testing facilities that can simulate blizzards by dispersing model snow within the wind tunnel, allowing it to propose snow and windbreak countermeasure products tailored to various terrains.

■ Inquiries regarding Riken Kogyo
Riken Kogyo Co., Ltd., Soma rk-tohoku@rapid.ocn.ne.jp