AIST Solutions Co., Ltd. and NARO Sign Collaboration and Cooperation Agreement

AIST Solutions Co., Ltd. and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) signed a collaboration and cooperation agreement on Thursday, June 11, to accelerate the social implementation of research and development results.

Towards solving social issues, realizing sustainable agriculture and food industries, and strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness, we will pursue further value creation and social implementation by developing collaborative activities between the two parties based on this agreement.

Overview

AIST Solutions Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Kiyoharu Aisaka, hereinafter "AISol") and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (Director-General: Kazuhiro Chiba, hereinafter "NARO") signed a collaboration and cooperation agreement on Thursday, June 11, 2026, to accelerate the social implementation of NARO's research and development results.

AISol is a company established with investment from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) (hereinafter "AIST"). It actively engages in the social implementation of research results accumulated by AIST and its partners by developing diverse open innovations with various domestic and international companies, universities, and research institutions.

Through the conclusion of this agreement, it will be possible to undertake initiatives that leverage the synergistic effects of both parties, such as planning new businesses and forming new industry-academia collaboration projects by combining the respective strengths of NARO and the AIST Group (collectively referring to AIST and AISol). Further expansion of open innovation towards the realization of sustainable agriculture and food industries and the strengthening of Japan's industrial competitiveness, and the acceleration of new value creation and social implementation resulting from this, are expected.

Outline of the Collaboration and Cooperation Agreement

1. Purpose of the Agreement

To accelerate the social implementation of research and development results of both NARO and the AIST Group by utilizing NARO's research and development outcomes in the AIST Group's results utilization promotion projects (*), and by implementing collaborative projects that demonstrate synergistic effects.

(*) Activities listed in Article 34, Paragraph 6, Item 1, Subparagraphs (a) to (c) of the Act on the Promotion of Science, Technology and Innovation Creation, and other activities that promote the utilization of research and development results by independent administrative agencies for research and development.

2. Main Collaboration and Cooperation Matters

- Matters concerning the implementation of coordination projects such as joint research and technical consultations.

- Matters concerning technology transfer business.

- Matters concerning personnel exchange.

- Matters concerning produce business.

- Matters concerning startup support.

3. Validity Period

From the date of the agreement until March 31, 2027. (Thereafter, the validity period will be extended by one year at a time unless a notice of termination is given.)

Reference

NARO (National Agriculture and Food Research Organization)

A national research and development agency whose predecessor was the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce's Agricultural Experiment Station, established in 1893. It is Japan's largest research institution in the agriculture and food sector. It is known for developing grape varieties such as "Shine Muscat" and sweet potato varieties such as "Beni Haruka," and has accumulated extensive experience, data, and collaborations with prefectures in the agriculture and food fields.

The 6th Medium-Term Plan, which began this fiscal year, is guided by the slogan "Food, Agriculture, and Natural Capital as the Core of Security and Industrial Creation." The organization is engaged in research and development and social implementation aiming to enhance food security and self-sufficiency, deploy developed technologies domestically and internationally, expand exports of agricultural and food products and create new industries, and balance business viability with environmental conservation.

URL: https://www.naro.go.jp/

AIST Solutions Co., Ltd.

Established in April 2023 with investment from AIST. Leveraging the technological assets and research resources of AIST, one of Japan's largest public research institutions, the company aims to strengthen open innovation, build ecosystems, and create new businesses by responding promptly to market and industrial needs through proactive marketing activities.

URL: https://www.aist-solutions.co.jp/

AIST Group

AIST, with its mission to "Solve Social Issues" and "Strengthen Japan's Industrial Competitiveness," conducts a wide range of research across 12 locations nationwide. AIST and AIST Solutions work together as the AIST Group to promote social implementation.

URL: https://www.aist.go.jp/