Japan
Representative for Japan
Biography :
ISPA Country Representative, Japan I earned my Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Agriculture at Kyoto University in 2003. My career in agricultural research began with a postdoctoral fellowship at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in 2003, followed by a role as a Senior Research Fellow at the Ishikawa Prefectural Agricultural and Forestry Research Center in 2004. In 2016, I joined the Faculty of Agriculture at Tottori University as an Associate Professor, ...more
ISPA Country Representative, Japan I earned my Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Agriculture at Kyoto University in 2003. My career in agricultural research began with a postdoctoral fellowship at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology in 2003, followed by a role as a Senior Research Fellow at the Ishikawa Prefectural Agricultural and Forestry Research Center in 2004. In 2016, I joined the Faculty of Agriculture at Tottori University as an Associate Professor, ...more
Japan Articles
Hungary and Japan Country Representatives Meet in Kobe, Japan
On 18th of November, 2025 Prof. Eiji Morimoto – ISPA Country Representative for Japan – has received Prof. Gabor Milics – ISPA Country Representative for Hungary – at KOBE University, Japan. The purpose of the visit was to enhance the friendship between the two representatives who last met at 15th ECPA conference in Barcelona. The meeting was very fruitful: in the first part Prof. Eiji Morimoto and Prof. Itoh Hiromichi have introduced the ongoing research work at Graduate School of Agricultural Science / Department of Agricultural Engineering and Socio-Economics, in the second part of the meeting experience on conference organization was exchanged as Prof. Milics has been organizing 13th ECPA in Budapest, 2021, and Prof. Morimoto will be the conference chair of 12th ACPA (https://smartconf.jp/content/acpa12/).
Advancements in Precision Agriculture: A Look at Japan's Current Landscape
By Japan's ISPA Country Representative, Dr. Eiji Morimoto (morimoto@gold.kobe-u.ac.jp)
In a stride towards modernizing agriculture, Japan is actively pursuing precision farming initiatives. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) has taken the lead in fostering the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Through subsidies extended to agricultural machinery manufacturers and start-ups, MAFF aims to address challenges in cultivation management and promote automation with IoT.
Kobe University stands at the forefront of this technological revolution, steering its focus towards farmer-centric precision agriculture. Embracing the philosophy of on-farm experimentation, the university is making significant strides in
the development of cutting-edge technologies. These include advancements in collecting field information through soil and growth sensors, coupled with mapping and analysis technologies tailored for a diverse range of crops – from rice paddies to orchard.
In a collaborative effort, Morimoto laboratory has joined forces with start-up leaders such as Agrist, recipient of the CES 2023 Innovation Award-winning sweet pepper harvesting robot, as well as renowned domestic manufacturers like Kubota, Iseki, and Topcon. This collaboration aims to seamlessly integrate innovative technologies into mainstream agricultural practices.
Beyond mere robotization, Kobe University envisions the creation of a connected world where a field information layer, finely attuned to the nuances of agriculture, can provide valuable feedback to producers. This strategic alliance between academia, start-ups, and established manufacturers is propelling Japan towards a future where precision agriculture becomes a cornerstone of sustainable and efficient farming practices.
Morimoto Laboratory Kobe University: kuid-rm-web.ofc.kobe-u.ac.jp/profile/en.cdc50314fa69d688520e17560c007669.html
Agrist: agrist.com/about-agrist-english
Kubota: www.kubotausa.com/kubota-group-solutions-hub/article-detail/innovation-hub/2023/11/09/smart-agriculture
Iseki: www.iseki.co.jp/global/english/products/rice_transplanter/pr-prj/
Topcon: tap.topconagriculture.com/