Innoqua Launches 'Tanbo Lab' Education Program in Collaboration with Kanuma City to Explore Local Nature

Innoqua Inc., a company dedicated to the 'visualization' and 'valuation' of nature using its proprietary 'Environment Transfer Technology®,' has announced a partnership with Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture, to launch 'Tanbo Lab,' an edutainment-based education program centered on local 'rice paddies' as natural capital, starting in July 2026.

Background Rice paddies, which support regional ecosystems, are rapidly disappearing across Japan. In Tochigi Prefecture, the area of rice paddies has decreased by approximately 14,000 hectares (about 15%) over the past 30 years, with significant increases in abandoned farmland in semi-mountainous areas like Kanuma City. Additionally, children's opportunities for nature experiences are declining, with the percentage of children who regularly go insect collecting dropping from approximately 90% in the past to about 60%. Although Kanuma City remains rich in biodiversity, including endangered species like the Tokyo salamander and the loach, children often find it difficult to grasp the ecological significance of their surroundings. Consequently, Innoqua is localizing its marine biology expertise to 'rice paddies,' redefining local nature as 'educational edutainment.'

Program Features: Standardizing the Inquiry Process Participating children will join as 'apprentice researchers' for the 'Secret Research Organization Innoqua.' They will experience the same research processes used by professional scientists over one season: - Session 1 (July 11): Fieldwork - Collect the 'Whys' of Kanuma. - Session 2 (July 18): Strategy Meeting - Formulate hypotheses and design experiments. - Session 3 (Aug 8): Data Analysis - Summarize findings on a poster. - Session 4 (Aug 23): Presentation - Present at the 'Kanuma Environmental Inquiry Society.'

Stakeholder Comments Shoichi Matsui, Mayor of Kanuma City, expressed high expectations, stating, 'We are merging Innoqua's advanced aquatic biology expertise with the local government's waste management knowledge to create a practical program where children learn using all five senses.' Naoki Masuda, Director and CAO of Innoqua, noted, 'Running through rice paddies as a child was my starting point. I want to create a space where children can set their own questions and develop logical thinking skills, ultimately creating a future where nature and the economy thrive together.'