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JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory
■JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory
Toward a sustainable future, we aim for open discussion and international co-creation on the issues such as utilization, roles, technological challenges, and direction of plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs) that possess diverse purposes and applications. Additionally, there is potential for the use of PFALs in social activities as part of the global ecosystem and in creating varied and flexible food and plant production systems. These topics will be covered through open discussions and international collaboration at smart city Kashiwa-no-ha, with a view to achieving “staying healthy simply by living.”
- About
- Speakers
- Exhibition
- Registration
- Trainings
10:15 – 17:30 on Monday, August 31, 2026 (Reception at 18:00)
9:30 – 17:00 on Tuesday, September 1, 2026
■Venue
Kashiwanoha Conference Center (2-minute walk from Kashiwanoha Campus Station on the Tsukuba Express Line)
■Organized by
Japan Plant Factory Association
■Contents
-Speeches
-Panel discussions
-Poster presentations
-Exhibits (On-site/online), etc.
■Registration Fees
【JPFA Members】 Early Bird: JPY 20,000/person (Regular: JPY 25,000/person)
【Non-members】 Early Bird: JPY 50,000/person (Regular: JPY 60,000/person)
【Reception】 JPY 8,500/person (Reception will be held in the same venue from 18:00 on September 1, 2025.)
* The early-bird discount will be applied to participants who register by March 31, 2026 and make their payment by April 30, 2026(JST).
* If you are a student and wish to participate, please contact us at symposium@npoplantfactory.org first.
■On-site Participation Benefit
– All participants will receive a copy of the lecture materials.
– Real-time automated transcription and translation will be provided during the session.
– Free participation in Kashiwanoha Smart City Tour scheduled for the morning of September 1, 2026（It may be subject to change or cancellation depending on the circumstances.)
– Free participation in the Onsite Tour of plant factories and greenhouses at Chiba University Kashiwanoha Campus scheduled for September 2, 2026
■ Registration
Please register using the symposium registration button below.
Register
If you would like to receive the latest news and updates about our upcoming symposium, sign up by clicking the “Keep informed” button below.
Keep informed
Please refer to the previous JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory in 2025.
JPFA植物工場国際シンポジウム日本語サイトは こちらからご確認ください。
Hiroki Koga
Co-founder and CEO,
Oishii Farm
Bio
Leo Marcelis
Professor and Head of Chair Group Horticulture and Product Physiology,
Wageningen University
Bio
More speakers to be announced soon.
Please refer to the list of speakers from the previous symposium here.
Day 1: Monday, September 1, 2025
| Time (JST) | Speakers | Programs | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | Doors open/Check-in | ||
| 10:15 | Opening | ||
| 10:15 | Kazumi Ota | Guest Remarks by the Mayor of Kashiwa City | |
| 10:15 | Koutaro Yokote | Guest Remarks by the President of Chiba University | |
| 10:30 | Eri Hayashi | Welcome Address by the Organizer: Introduction and Prospects of Plant Factories | |
| 10:50 | Eiji Goto | Plant Factories for Plant-made Pharmaceuticals Production and Lunar Food Production | EN |
| 11:25 | Hiroshi Kiyono | Fusion of Medical, Agricultural and Plant Factory Sciences Creates MucoRice, Rice-based Needle- and Cold Chain-free Vaccine | EN |
| 12:00 | Luncheon Seminar/Lunch Break Mitsui Fudosan ※Complimentary boxed lunches will be available at the foyer. |
||
| 13:00 | One-minute Poster PresentationsⅠ | EN | |
| 13:15 | Three-minute Exhibitor PresentationsⅠ | EN | |
| 13:30 | Short Break | ||
| 13:35 | Asao Ogawa | Toward the Social Implementation of Medical Cannabis: The Intersection of Regulation, Cultivation Technology, and Public Acceptance | EN |
| 14:15 | Bruce Bugbee | Turning Photons into Food | EN |
| 14:50 | Eriko Hibi | Towards Global Food Security - A Future Leaving No One Behind | EN |
| 15:30 | PosterⅠ and Exhibiton Viewing Time / Short Break at Foyer | ||
| 15:55 | Marc Celis | Growing Quality in a CEA without Daylight | EN |
| 16:25 | Panel Discussion Ⅰ "Potential of Plant Factories"（TBC） |
EN | |
| 17:30 | Closing/Networking | ||
| 18:00 - 20:00 | Reception At the same venue. ※Pre-registration is required. |
Day 2: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
| Time (JST) | Speakers | Programs | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | Doors open/Check-in | ||
| 9:30 | Opening | ||
| 9:35 | Hiroki Koga | Oishii's Entry into Japan and the Story Behind It — A Challenge to Create a Global Industry from Japan | JP |
| 10:10 | Panel Discussion Ⅱ "How Japanese Plant Factories Have Survived: Strategies of Japanese Companies" |
JP | |
| 10:55 | One-minute Poster PresentationsⅡ | EN | |
| 11:10 | Three-minute Exhibitor PresentationsⅡ | EN | |
| 11:25 | Short Break | ||
| 11:30 | Neil Mattson | Toward Greater Energy Efficiency in Plant Factories: HVAC, Operational Design, and Lighting Strategies to Maximize Yield and Decrease Energy Consumption | EN |
| 12:05 | Teo Shuan Hao | Towards Sustainable Pest Management in CEA including Plant Factories | EN |
| 12:20 | Houcheng Liu | Industrial Development of Plant Factories in China: Modularization, Automation, and Integration with New Energy | EN |
| 12:40 | Luncheon Seminar/Lunch Break Macnica, Inc. ※Complimentary boxed lunches will be available at the foyer. |
||
| 13:40 | Seishi Ninomiya | Where is Plant Phenomics Headed? Technological Innovation Supporting Next-generation Plant Factories | EN |
| 14:15 | John Doonan | Exploiting Highly Mechanised Controlled Environment Growing Systems for Plant Breeding | EN |
| 14:40 | Laura van de Kreeke | Beyond One-size-fits-all: Unlocking Growth Potential through Plant Profiles | EN |
| 15:05 | PosterⅡ and Exhibiton Viewing Time / Short Break at Foyer | ||
| 15:30 | Changhoo Chun | Recent Trends in Korea’s Indoor Vertical Farming Industry and Academic Research | EN |
| 16:05 | Paul PG Gauthier | Growing Tropical Crops Indoors: Lessons and Opportunities for Cacao, Passion Fruit, Rice and more | EN |
| 16:35 | Michelle Watt | Ideotyping and Engineering a Complete Use Plant for Contained Space and Earth Systems | EN |
| 17:00 | Closing |
* Real-time automated transcription and translation will be provided during the session.
July 18, 2025
Exhibition Opportunities at ISPF 2026
The third JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory (ISPF) 2026 is neither a commercial trade show nor a traditional academic conference. It is a unique symposium that bridges industry and academia, bringing together global experts, companies, and researchers involved in plant factories.We invite organizations to participate as exhibitors and contribute to the exchange of knowledge and innovation in this rapidly evolving field.
Application Information
We are now accepting applications for exhibitors, including exhibition booths at the symposium venue and luncheon seminars.
Please review the exhibitor guidelines before submitting your application.The early-bird discount applies to exhibitors who register by March 31, 2026, and complete their payment by April 30, 2026(JST).
Exhibition booth locations will be assigned in principle on a first-come, first-served basis.
We encourage early applications to secure your preferred placement.
Exhibitor Guidelines Call for Exhibitors
After submitting your application, the ISPF Secretariat will contact you with further details regarding booth arrangements, payment, and logistics.
How to Apply for the Symposium
Apply by clicking on the relevant button below.
The deadline for the symposium registration is Tuesday, August 25, 2026(JST). Registration will be closed once the number of applicants reaches the maximum capacity.
The early-bird discount applies to participants who register by March 31, 2026, and complete their payment by April 30, 2026(JST).
- ※The fee will be based on your membership status during the symposium. Please note that even if you are a member at the time of application, you will be charged the difference if you are not a member at the symposium.
- ※If you wish to become a JPFA member with your symposium registration, you can attend the symposium at the member rate. Please complete the membership application form below.
Exhibition and Advertisement
We are now accepting applications for exhibitors, including exhibition booths at the symposium venue and luncheon seminars.
Please review the exhibitor guidelines below before submitting your application.The early-bird discount applies to exhibitors who register by March 31, 2026, and complete their payment by April 30, 2026(JST).
Exhibition booth locations will be assigned in principle on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Poster Presentation
■ThemeResearch on Plant Factories with Artificial Lighting (PFALs) or related topics
JPFA Membership
Check here for the JFPA's membership system.
Accommodation Info
Regarding accommodations, please refer to Accommodation List.
Training Course on PFALs
September 3–4, 2026 | Chiba University, Kashiwanoha Campus
Following the successful program in 2025, JPFA will again offer the Interactive Onsite Training Course on PFALs in 2026.
The course will be held immediately after ISPF2026, providing participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of PFAL technologies and business operations through direct engagement with leading commercial facilities in Japan.
Program Overview
Participants will:
・Visit multiple well-managed commercial PFALs through JPFA’s network
・Learn directly from industry leaders about profitability, operational management, sustainability, and market strategies
・Attend interactive lectures by experts on cultivation techniques, environmental control, leafy greens, strawberries, tip burn prevention, and more
・Access online pre-learning materials prior to the onsite program
Course Details
Dates: September 3–4, 2026
(Online pre-learning materials will be available before- and after- hand.)
Location: JPFA facilities at Chiba University, Kashiwanoha Campus
Format: Online pre-learning + 2-day onsite training
Fees & Registration:
This training course requires separate registration and fees from ISPF2026.
Details on fees, eligibility, and registration will be updated once finalized.
Reference: 2025 Program
For reference, the 2025 training program included:
・Visits to several commercial PFALs
・Expert lectures on PFAL technologies and business models
・Online pre-learning materials
The 2026 program will follow a similar structure with updated content.
▷ Overview of the scheduled visits for training 2025
Additional Training Opportunity: Strawberry Course (March 2026)
JPFA will also offer the Strawberry Training Course on March 5–6, 2026.
This program provides an in-depth, field-based learning experience covering Japan’s advanced strawberry cultivation systems, combining pre-learning, lectures, and extensive site visits.
Program Overview
Participants will:
・Visit a diverse range of strawberry production environments, including:
- Greenhouses and PFAL facilities at Chiba University (Kashiwanoha Campus)
- Regional farmers’ market featuring strawberry-based products
- Sonobe Farm (1 ha+ premium production)
- Institute for Horticultural Plant Breeding (breeding & seed processing)
- Genki Farm by WATANABE PIPE (multiple varieties & system supplier)
- hiro farm (Pick‑N‑Eat greenhouse & PFAL R&D facility)
・Learn practical and advanced techniques for high-quality strawberry production
・Engage with experts and innovators driving next-generation strawberry cultivation
・Access on-demand pre-learning lectures by professionals from Chiba University and the JPFA
Fees & Registration
・Alumni of previous JPFA Strawberry Courses receive a JPY 10,000 discount.
・Registration and full details are available on the JPFA Academy website: JPFA Training
