Expanding the 'Cycle of Hope' from the Rice Fields: Spice Factory Doubles its Cultivation Area

Spice Factory Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Hironosuke Takagi; hereinafter referred to as 'the Company'), which supports digital transformation, has expanded its rice cultivation area for FY2026 in the rice field owner system it has been participating in since 2025. Coinciding with the UN's 'International Day for Biological Diversity' on May 22, the area was increased from approximately 1.5 tan the previous year to about 3.5 tan (approx. 34.76 ares).

This initiative is one of the activities embodying the Company's vision, the 'Cycle of Hope'. To further expand the value created through the activities in FY2025, the target area was doubled for FY2026. The Company will continue this as an activity that circulates value to nature, society, and the next generation, encompassing connections with the community, biodiversity conservation, employee participatory experiences, and returns to entities like children's cafeterias.

## Why an IT Company Engages in Rice Cultivation
The environment surrounding Japanese agriculture is manifesting various issues, including the long-term deterioration of agricultural land, a shortage of workers due to aging and population decline, and a decrease in biodiversity. *1

On the other hand, Satoyama rice fields are not merely places for food production but are ecosystems that nurture diverse organisms and are important natural capital supporting local culture, landscapes, and the circulation of water resources.

Under these circumstances, since May 2025, the Company has participated in 'Tsukamotogo Re-novation', a regional co-creation project operated by the general incorporated association 'Saitama wo Taberu'. The Company operates as a rice field owner in Tsukamotogo, Sakura-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. By involving not only employees and their families but also individuals connected to the Company, such as personnel from children's cafeterias, in actual rice planting and harvesting, it has created opportunities to interact with nature and the local community.

In FY2025, employee volunteers handled everything from planting to milling, harvesting approximately 480kg (equivalent to about 3,200 bowls of rice *2). The harvested rice was distributed to employees and utilized for donations to children's cafeterias, developing it into an activity that goes beyond just 'growing' to 'circulating back to society'.

*1 Shortage of workers due to aging: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries '2024 Survey on Agricultural Structure Dynamics' / Deterioration of agricultural land: MAFF 'Current Status and Countermeasures for Degraded Agricultural Land (February 2026)' / Decrease in biodiversity: Ministry of the Environment 'National Biodiversity Strategy 2023-2030'
*2 Calculated at 150g per bowl of rice

### The Company's Main Activities
- Collaboration with local farmers and operating organizations
- Implementation of rice planting and harvesting experiences by employees
- Utilization of harvested rice as part of health and productivity management
- Use of rice at the internal event 'Company-wide Curry Lunch'
- Donations to children's cafeterias and NPOs
- Distribution of rice to all employees and stakeholders (1kg each)

### Main Results for FY2025 (*Figures are based on FY2025 results)
- Number of participating employees: 48
- Number of activities held (planting/harvesting, etc.): 4 times
- Harvest volume: Approx. 480kg
- Amount provided to children's cafeterias, etc.: Approx. 270kg (approx. 1,800 bowls)
- Donation recipients as part of social contribution: 4 organizations (Certified NPO D×P / Oikos Shokudo / Taverna ~Chiisana Shokudo~ / Kodomo Shokudo Flat♭)
- Number of meals provided at the Company-wide Curry Lunch: Approx. 333 meals
- Number of people receiving distributed rice: 102
- Total distributed amount: 422kg

## Rice Cultivation Area Significantly Expanded from 1.5 Tan to 3.5 Tan in FY2026
Having realized multifaceted value creation through the activities in FY2025—such as employee participation, interaction with the local community, and social returns—the Company is expanding the scale of operations in FY2026 from approximately 1.5 tan to about 3.5 tan (approx. 34.76 ares).

This expansion is not solely aimed at increasing production volume. The Company's vision, 'Cycle of Hope', aims to realize 'a future we can be proud of for the next generation, where social goodwill and economic growth are harmonized.'

Initiatives in the rice fields are also positioned as a 'circular initiative' generating diverse value, including:
- Creating touchpoints with the local community
- Biodiversity conservation and learning
- Experiential value and interaction for employees
- Returns to the next generation
- The cycle of food

## Sustainability Activities Nurtured with the Community and Employees
In its activities creating touchpoints with the community and society, the Company values building a corporate culture where each employee can feel connected to people and local areas. Precisely because it is an IT company mainly operating in the digital realm, having opportunities to connect with nature and the community is considered a crucial experience that broadens employees' perspectives and values.

Through planting and harvesting rice, multifaceted learning and interactions are born, such as:
- Understanding the cycles of nature
- Deepening understanding of primary industries
- Interacting with local residents
- Experiencing the background of 'food'

Prior to this announcement, which coincided with the International Day for Biological Diversity, a rice planting event was held on Saturday, May 16, 2026. By having employees actually interact with nature alongside community members and children's cafeteria personnel, they connect to biodiversity and Satoyama ecosystems.