Transforming Japan's Ago Bay into a Global "MarineTech" Sanctuary

A challenge to create the next 100 years of the sea begins from Ago Bay, Mie Prefecture, Japan.

Umilabo Co., Ltd. (Shima City, Mie Prefecture, Representative: Kota Kawano) announces the opening of its second facility, "MarineTech Lab," specializing in the social implementation of marine technology, following its first "Seaside Retreat" focused on accommodation and training. This project revitalizes an abandoned pearl farm into a state-of-the-art experimental site (sandbox). It aims to accelerate demonstration experiments for marine AI, underwater robots, and autonomous vessels, while simultaneously tackling the biggest hurdles to commercialization: "rights issues" and "legal regulations," envisioning a privately-led special zone for marine industries.

* See the journey so far and the story of regenerating the abandoned building here: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000002.000112111.html

The Former Owner's Vision and Assetization of an Abandoned Factory

The stage for the second facility is also an abandoned factory that once prospered with pearl farming. After more than a year of dialogue with the former owner, we received a precious baton with the wish to "entrust the future of this place." Starting with debris cleanup and marine plastic recovery with volunteer members, the collected plastics were reborn into furniture, and the original building's wood and structure were reused. Some wood from pearl rafts was also utilized.

We will embody the story of "past pearls (past) → abandoned building (present) → MarineTech (future)" even from the resources found on site.

* Background of the second project and cleanup様子: note article https://note.com/umilabo_iseshima/n/n6b1ba7ae896e

Four Categories of Implementation

The second facility is not just an accommodation. It is a privately-led MarineTech Lab that solves marine issues with "technology" and "implementation."

* **①MarineTech Field (Research & Demonstration)**: An implementation field for autonomous vessels, underwater drones, and land-based aquaculture. * **②Incubation / Residency (Startup Support)**: Infrastructure enabling researchers and entrepreneurs from around the world to stay short-term for prototype development and demonstrations. * **③Human Resource Development (Talent Nurturing)**: In collaboration with colleges of technology and universities, cultivating next-generation marine DX talent. * **④Community & Culture (Exchange)**: Presenting a new lifestyle where the sea and people coexist, through art and education.

March 28, 2026 (MarineTech Lab overlooking Ago Bay)

[The Biggest Challenge: A Breakthrough in "Legal Regulations and Rights Issues"]

The biggest obstacles to marine tech are not technology, but "complex legal regulations" and "sea area rights." Umilabo leverages its private-sector initiative to serve as a "concierge for marine implementation," creatively resolving these barriers through collaboration with local government and fishing cooperatives.

This is a place where research, experimentation, art, education, and entertainment intersect. Autonomous boats will navigate the bay, and new industries and tourism will blend. Ago Bay, which once captivated the world with pearls, now envisions a future where it leads the global marine industry as the "Silicon Valley of the Sea."

Message from Umilabo's Kawano to the World

"From the past to the present, and to the future 100 years from now. We will transform what was considered a negative legacy—abandoned buildings—into the most valuable assets for the future. From Ago Bay, let's implement a new relationship between the sea and humanity."

Support Umilabo!

Starting with the opening of our family's pearl farm as the first facility, we have now managed to launch the second. We intend to further our activities towards the third and fourth facilities.

Ultimately, we want to increase various contents in Ago Bay and connect them by boat.

As a startup hub related to the sea, we also want to advance demonstration experiments on autonomous vessels, blue carbon, and aquaculture DX technologies.

Umilabo's latest information is available on our website and social media. If you are interested in moving in, using our facilities, co-creating, or challenging with us, please contact us here: https://umilabo.co.jp/#contact

Kawano of Umilabo Hachiya of Umilabo

Kawano and Hachiya: The Challenge of Two Men Who Love the Sea and Believe in Technology

Kota Kawano, Representative Director, Umilabo: Born in Shima City, Mie Prefecture. While working at an IT company, he confronted the decline of his family's pearl farming business. To transform "negative legacies into assets for the next generation," he founded "Umilabo" in his hometown, Ago Bay. He is challenging the creation of a new marine industry by combining the latest technology with local resources.

Kai Hachiya, Director, Umilabo: Born in Kihoku Town, Mie Prefecture. Currently, he concurrently serves as Umilabo's site supervisor and is establishing a startup related to fire safety equipment. As a specialist in on-site implementation, he leads the development of the second facility.

<The Story of Their Challenge: From Suzuka National College of Technology, through a "Mid-winter Waterfall Meditation," to Ago Bay>

The two met over 10 years ago. They met as an elder (Kawano) and junior (Hachiya) in the dormitory of Suzuka National College of Technology. They even worked at the same movie theater part-time, and after graduation, they continued to consult each other on career changes, becoming lifelong friends who shared pivotal moments in their lives.

C The turning point came on December 31st of a certain year. Kawano invited Hachiya to one of the items on his "bucket list": a mid-winter waterfall meditation. While being struck by the freezing waterfall, Kawano spoke of his earnest desire to revitalize his family's abandoned pearl farm. From there, the concept of "Umilabo" began to move.

During the construction of the first facility, there was a major crisis where repeated troubles threatened its opening. It was Hachiya's efforts, bringing in a team of carpenters through his work connections, that saved the day. "It's not just about what you do, but who you do it with." Bound by deep trust, the two men are now implementing the "next 100 years of the sea" from Ago Bay.

Kawano (right), joined Umilabo, resonating with his dream. Commemorative photo of the graduation ceremony at Suzuka National College of Technology where the two met.