NPO Green Days Japan and Kinki Kankyo Service Co., Ltd. Sign Agreement for Regional Circular Agriculture and Resource Circulation Partnership "Sustainable Rice Partnership"

NPO Green Days Japan (Location: Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture, Director: Yuki Fujiwara, hereinafter "Green Days Japan") and Kinki Kankyo Service Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka Prefecture, President: Nozomu Uemori, hereinafter "Kinki Kankyo Service") have announced the signing of a "Regional Circular Agriculture and Resource Circulation Partnership Agreement - Sustainable Rice Partnership -". This agreement aims to realize sustainable regional agriculture, regenerate abandoned farmland, build a regional circular agriculture model, and collaborate on expertise in water environment conservation, resource circulation, and the utilization of organic resources.

This agreement promotes the regeneration of increasing abandoned farmland in the region and the creation of a system to pass on the farming environment to the next generation, through a unique method of collectively leasing farmland on a village unit basis and comprehensively managing it, including land that is difficult to cultivate or has been abandoned.

Furthermore, by combining Kinki Kankyo Service's expertise in water environment conservation, resource circulation, and the utilization of organic resources, cultivated over the years, with Green Days Japan's regional agriculture support model, we aim to build a new regional circular model where agriculture, environment, community, and corporations mutually support each other.

[Background and Objectives]

Japanese agriculture faces the serious challenge of rapidly expanding abandoned farmland due to the aging of producers and a shortage of successors. Especially in mountainous and midland areas, not only is there a shortage of people to maintain farmland, but it is also becoming difficult to continue the farming environment that has been maintained by the entire community, such as grass cutting and water channel management.

On the other hand, professional athletes often retire early, with many cases of retiring in their 20s. Green Days Japan aims to create a new flow of human resources in regional agriculture by combining these two social issues: "shortage of agricultural labor" and "second careers for athletes."

In addition to these initiatives, this agreement aims to establish a more sustainable regional circular agriculture model that goes beyond regenerating abandoned farmland by collaborating with Kinki Kankyo Service's expertise in water environment conservation and resource circulation, also considering environmental load reduction and the utilization of organic resources.

[Initiatives Based on This Agreement]

In the collectively managed farmland centered in the villages of Tanba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, the initiatives of "Sustainable Rice Partnership" promoted by Green Days Japan will be developed in collaboration with Kinki Kankyo Service.

● Regeneration of Abandoned Farmland and Collective Village Management: Green Days Japan collaborates with the region to support and manage farmland, including abandoned and difficult-to-cultivate land, on a village unit basis, thereby regenerating the farming environment that individual farmers can no longer maintain.

● Farming Support by Athletes: Under the guidance of Green Days Japan's experienced agricultural staff, athletes will be involved in farming work, supporting the regeneration of abandoned farmland and the production of high-quality rice. Through practical experience in agriculture, this will also contribute to the formation of second careers for athletes.

● Continuous Regional Agricultural Support Through Corporate Participation: By having companies participate as partners, we will build a system that continuously supports regional agriculture, rather than one-off support. The harvested rice is planned to be utilized through corporate welfare programs, etc., based on the purpose of this agreement.

● Collaboration with Water Environment Conservation and Resource Circulation: Utilizing Kinki Kankyo Service's expertise in water environment conservation, resource circulation, and the utilization of organic resources, we aim to build a circular model where agriculture and environmental conservation are mutually linked.

● Establishment of a Sustainable Agriculture Model: By collaborating with corporations, communities, farmers, and athletes, we will contribute to continuous support for farmers and the maintenance of local communities, promoting the creation of a farming environment that can be passed on to the next generation.

[Future Outlook and Thoughts on Resource Circulation]

This project will start in Tanba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture, but the increase in abandoned farmland and the shortage of agricultural labor are common issues across Japan. Furthermore, the perspective of how to circulate regional resources and create a sustainable society while reducing environmental load will become increasingly important.

Kinki Kankyo Service has been involved in businesses related to water environment conservation and resource circulation, such as the maintenance and management of wastewater treatment facilities and the utilization of organic resources. Through this agreement, by connecting this expertise with the field of regional agriculture, we aim to create a new circular model that integrates agriculture, environment, and the community.

Green Days Japan will continue to work with regions and companies to promote initiatives for the regeneration of abandoned farmland, support for athletes' second careers, and the continuation of regional agriculture.

Yuki Fujiwara, Director of Green Days Japan, commented:

"I am very pleased to be able to conclude this agreement with Kinki Kankyo Service Co., Ltd. The issues of agricultural labor shortage and abandoned farmland cannot be solved by agriculture alone. A system is needed where the community, corporations, environment, and human resources are connected and continuously support each other. By collaborating with Kinki Kankyo Service, which has expertise in environmental conservation and resource circulation, we want to create a new form of circulation that connects agriculture, environment, community, and corporations. We will cherish and nurture this agreement as a continuous initiative that leads to the future of the region, not just a one-time support."

Nozomu Uemori, President of Kinki Kankyo Service, commented:

"Today, I am deeply honored to be able to conclude such an agreement with NPO Green Days Japan. Our company has been involved in businesses related to water environment conservation and resource circulation. Through this agreement, we hope to contribute even a little to the sustainability of regional agriculture and the regeneration of abandoned farmland with our expertise. Furthermore, we feel great significance not only in contributing to the community and reducing environmental load through employee welfare programs but also in participating in the creation of an agricultural model that connects to the next generation. We will continue to collaborate with Green Days Japan."

[About Green Days Japan]

NPO Green Days Japan is an NPO working to regenerate abandoned farmland and realize a regional circular society. Through a method of supporting and managing farmland collectively on a village unit basis, it collaborates with regions and companies to pass on a sustainable farming environment to the next generation.

[About Kinki Kankyo Service]

Since its establishment in 1991, Kinki Kankyo Service Co., Ltd. has been working to create water environments that support regional life, primarily through the maintenance and construction of wastewater treatment facilities. The company also engages in the composting of organic sludge and food waste generated from sewage treatment facilities and food factories, aiming to balance resource circulation with environmental conservation.

[Green Days Japan Overview]

Organization Name: NPO Green Days Japan

Representative: Director Yuki Fujiwara

Location: 397 Oka, Kurodasho-cho, Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture

Established: December 2025

URL: https://www.greendaysjapan.or.jp/

[Kinki Kankyo Service Company Overview]

Company Name: Kinki Kankyo Service Co., Ltd.

Representative: President Nozomu Uemori

Location: 2-1-12 Ujishima, Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City

Established: January 22, 1991

Capital: 65 million yen

URL: https://www.eco-kks.co.jp/

Contact for Media Inquiries Regarding This Press Release

NPO Green Days Japan

Contact: Secretary General Kazuki Nishiwaki

TEL: 0795-20-0066

Fax: 0795-20-0065

E-mail: [email protected]

* Company names, organization names, service names, etc., appearing in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or organizations.