BioJapan 2026 Event Report
We exhibited at BioJapan 2026 as a joint effort among our three locations
The COI-NEXT Center at Nagaoka University of Technology exhibited at “BioJapan 2026,” one of Asia’s largest biotechnology events, held at Pacifico Yokohama from October 7 to 9, 2026. This year, the three centers—Akita Prefectural University, Nagaoka University of Technology, and the University of the Ryukyus—jointly operated a booth under the theme “NEXUS / Mori-Tanbo-Umi,” highlighting the connections between the forests, rice paddies, and oceans—the fields that support Japan’s primary industries—and showcasing their future potential.
An exhibition where you can experience forests, rice paddies, and the ocean firsthand
At the booth,
COI-NEXT Akita Prefectural University Hub
COI-NEXT Nagaoka University of Technology Hub
COI-NEXT University of the Ryukyus Hub
We introduced these three initiatives.
At the venue, we presented an exhibition that evoked the natural cycle of the Japanese archipelago—from the forests to the rice paddies and on to the sea—allowing visitors to experience firsthand the industries and cultures supported by each region’s resources, as well as the challenges facing the future.
At the Nagaoka University of Technology hub, rice plants—symbolizing Niigata’s lush rice paddies—were on display, highlighting the connections between the local culture, food culture, and fermentation culture that have developed around rice cultivation.
Sharing the Culture and Future Born from Rice Fields
Rice grown in paddy fields is more than just a crop. By adding microorganisms such as koji mold and carefully controlling temperature and humidity, it is used to produce fermented foods like sake and miso. Behind this process lies the wisdom and expertise of the Japanese people, cultivated over many years.
Through this exhibition, we were able to help visitors appreciate that fermented foods are not simply a given, but are supported by the traditional techniques developed by our ancestors—techniques that have been passed down through the diligence and tireless efforts of the Japanese people, leading right up to the present day.
On the other hand, rice paddies and agriculture—the very foundation of this industry—face many challenges, including an aging farming population, a shortage of successors, and unstable incomes.
To address these challenges, our university aims to develop agriculture into an attractive industry for the younger generation. To this end, we are advancing research and development and disseminating information in collaboration with various organizations, including businesses, local governments, and research institutions. By applying scientific expertise to the resources and culture derived from rice paddies, we are creating new industries and value, and working toward the realization of sustainable local communities.
Sharing Research Findings on Fermentation and Snow Cellars
At our university’s booth, we also introduced the fermentation research and snow cellar storage technology being developed as part of the COI-NEXT project.
In the area of fermentation research, we introduced initiatives aimed at scientifically analyzing traditional Japanese fermentation techniques—including koji—to highlight their value and accurately communicate them both domestically and internationally.
We also presented research findings and storage technologies that utilize snow—an underutilized resource in snowy regions—for snow-cellar storage. It has been confirmed that rice stored for long periods in snow cellars maintains an appropriate moisture content and prevents an increase in fatty acid levels, suggesting that this method has the potential to preserve the quality of the rice for a longer period.
Such research is expected not only to create new added value for rice but also to lead to the creation of new industries that utilize local resources and to the stabilization of agricultural income.
From the Local Community to the World
During the three-day event, many people—including representatives from domestic and international companies, research institutions, and government agencies—stopped by our booth.
Through this joint exhibition, three locations—each with distinct environments—namely forests, rice paddies, and the ocean—were able to demonstrate the potential for creating new value from primary industries across Japan by pooling their respective regional resources and research findings and working together.
Moving forward, the COI-NEXT Center at Nagaoka University of Technology will continue to deepen its collaboration with the Akita Prefectural University Center and the University of the Ryukyus Center while promoting research and development that utilizes regional resources and their implementation in society, and will disseminate the results both domestically and internationally.
