Social ImpactSocial impact aimed at by “Japonic Coffee Farm Aso”

1.Creation of Employment Opportunities for Individuals Facing Challenges Such as Disabilities and Social Withdrawal

Frontier Link Co., Ltd., led by Sato, the representative of Japonic Coffee Farm Aso, operates the Frontier Link Career Center, designated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare as a "Employment Transition Support Facility." The center operates nationwide and provides support for individuals with mental, developmental, and other disabilities to acquire IT skills, such as programming, aiming to help them secure employment in mainstream companies. Additionally, Sato, serving as the representative of the pioneering company "Uchira Mecha Komai'n de" (Mecha Koma), the first business in Japan led by individuals with a history of social withdrawal, employs around 30 individuals with such experiences. They work entirely remotely, engaging in IT-related tasks such as website creation and teaching programming courses.

"I want to create employment options beyond IT." This is something Sato has consistently felt while providing education and employment support for individuals facing challenges such as disabilities and social withdrawal through IT. While it is true that some individuals with disabilities or those who have experienced social withdrawal are well-suited for and proficient in IT, not everyone is interested in or finds a connection to IT. On the other hand, agriculture offers many benefits that IT does not, such as improved physical and mental well-being through contact with the soil and the opportunity for physical fitness through various tasks.

In organic farming, not only during busy harvest periods but also throughout the year, there are continuous tasks such as daily weeding and pest control. Additionally, given the inherent rarity of domestically produced coffee, even conventional products are sold in high price ranges, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 yen for 100 grams. Consequently, it becomes feasible to set higher wages for individuals with disabilities or those who have experienced social withdrawal. Furthermore, by integrating a cafe in the future, additional tasks such as customer service and cleaning, beyond agricultural work, can be generated. When combined with IT skill acquisition support, individuals can also take on responsibilities such as website management and information dissemination on social media.

"The more options for employment, the better." Japonic Coffee Farm Aso aims to become one of the innovative models for agricultural and welfare collaboration.

2.Creating a “new agricultural model” through natural cultivation and smart houses

Agriculture is the 'source of life,' but the number of farmers in Japan is decreasing each year, and the aging of the population is progressing significantly. In the midst of global uncertainty and rising food prices, the importance of 'food security' is increasingly emphasized. The natural cultivation advocated by Professor Akisuke Kimura is characterized by maximizing the power of the soil. By not using pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides, it not only ensures safety and peace of mind but also offers the advantage of reducing material costs. Furthermore, its ease of implementation makes it accessible to everyone.

Having the ability to produce what one consumes in times of need becomes a means of self-defense. Utilizing the increasing abandoned farmland alongside the decline in the number of farmers, a lifestyle of 'semi-farming, semi-X' is feasible. This involves continuing regular work on weekdays while dedicating weekends to cultivating food for oneself and others, making it a tangible reality, especially with natural cultivation. As interest in natural cultivation grows and more individuals start engaging in agriculture, there will be a gradual increase in those aspiring to pursue farming seriously. This development brings benefits not only to individuals seeking successors but also to farmers grappling with issues such as the lack of successors and abandoned farmland or vacant greenhouses.

Especially with the impact of global warming, it is anticipated that the cultivation of tropical crops such as bananas and mangoes in greenhouses will further expand domestically. Given the high rarity and value of naturally cultivated tropical crops produced in Japan, there is the potential for greenhouse farming to become a new source of income for farmers. Japonic Coffee Farm Aso aims to be a pioneer in Japan, serving as a practical site for natural cultivation, utilizing technologies such as IoT in a 'Smart House' for agriculture. The goal is to promote the spread of natural cultivation and establish a model for high-value and high-income farming through Smart Houses.

3.Contributing to Regional Revitalization in Aso and Kumamoto, as well as Future Expansion into Other Areas for Local Development

Known as the 'Land of Fire,' Kumamoto boasts numerous tourist attractions such as Aso, Amakusa, and Kumamoto Castle, along with abundant hot springs including Kurokawa. Blessed with a wealth of seafood and mountain delicacies, it is truly a land of prosperity. However, the region has faced challenges, including the lingering impact of the Kumamoto earthquake in April 2016, which has affected the recovery of tourist numbers in the Aso area. Leveraging the distinction of being Japan's first naturally cultivated coffee farm, Japonic Coffee Farm Aso aims to contribute to the region's appeal. Through activities like coffee harvesting and roasting experiences, future plans involve using exclusively Aso-grown coffee beans and offering '100% Pure ASO' coffee brewed with spring water from the pristine White River source, selected as one of Japan's 100 Famous Waters. Collaborations with local hot springs, restaurants, and more are also on the horizon. Japonic Coffee Farm Aso aspires to play a role in increasing interest and visits to the Aso-Kumamoto region, hoping to make a meaningful contribution to the local community.

On the other hand, Japonic Coffee Farm Aso began its journey in May 2022 by cultivating 80 coffee seedlings in a 600-square-meter greenhouse. The future goal is to expand cultivation to around 1,500 coffee plants on a 1-hectare plot. With the natural cultivation coffee farm as its core, the vision includes establishing a business package in Aso that combines a cafe and a facility supporting employment for individuals with disabilities. Once this model is established in Aso, the plan is to expand to other regions with similar natural conditions, specifically areas characterized by being at the foot of a volcano, having high elevations, experiencing temperature variations, and having abundant water. The expansion aims to replicate the success of the integrated business model. Japonic Coffee Farm Aso envisions contributing to regional revitalization through three pillars: attracting tourists through coffee tourism, creating employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities and those who have experienced social withdrawal through agricultural and welfare collaboration, and revitalizing local agriculture. This is the vision that Japonic Coffee Farm Aso aspires to achieve.