Wales has welcomed a delegation from Japan to explore opportunities across food production, farming and agricultural technology, with controlled environment agriculture emerging as one of the central areas of interest.
The delegation visited Wales as part of efforts to showcase the country's research capabilities, food and drink sector and potential for international investment. Representatives met Welsh Government, industry and academic organisations, including First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth at the Royal Welsh Showground.
The visit included representatives from Japanese organisations working in areas including vertical farming, agri-tech and food infrastructure, as well as the Japan Plant Factory Association. Delegates were interested in Wales' capabilities in food production, innovation and sustainability.
Focus on controlled environment agriculture
Controlled environment agriculture involves growing crops in environments where conditions such as temperature, light and other growing factors can be managed using technology.
The approach includes systems such as vertical farming and plant factories and has attracted international attention as researchers and businesses investigate different approaches to food production.
For Wales, the area provides an opportunity to connect its agricultural and food-production expertise with research and technological development.
During the visit, discussions examined how investment and innovation could contribute to more resilient food systems and productivity growth across the food and drink sector.
The delegation also met representatives from academia and industry to examine research strengths and potential opportunities for future collaboration.
Aberystwyth University involvement
The visit highlighted emerging collaboration between Japanese organisations and Aberystwyth University through the Agile Cymru programme.
Professor John Doonan, director of the university's National Plant Phenomics Centre, said the collaboration was intended to support knowledge exchange around controlled environment agriculture and sustainable food production.
The involvement of academic research is significant because the discussions were not limited to commercial food production.
The visit brought together investment, agricultural technology and research, with the potential for those areas to overlap in future projects.
At this stage, however, the visit should not be presented as confirmation of a Japanese investment in a specific Welsh food business or agricultural facility.
A long-standing relationship with Japan
The latest delegation is part of a much wider economic relationship between Wales and Japan.
Welsh Government figures state that Japan is currently the second-largest source of inward investment into Wales after the United States. Since 2012-13, Wales has secured 61 investments from Japan, while more than 70 Japanese-owned companies operate across the country, employing approximately 7,400 people.
Wales also exported more than £282 million of goods to Japan during 2025.
The relationship covers industries including food and drink, clean energy, semiconductors, life sciences and the creative industries.
The latest visit therefore represents an extension of an established relationship rather than an entirely new connection between the two countries.
What the visit could mean for Welsh food
The immediate significance for Welsh producers is the opportunity to explore technologies and partnerships that could contribute to future food production.
Controlled environment agriculture is only one part of the wider food system, and the visit did not result in a confirmed investment announcement.
However, the interest shown by Japanese organisations provides an example of how Wales' food and farming capabilities are being presented to international businesses.
For Welsh food and agricultural businesses, future developments will be worth watching for evidence of concrete partnerships, investment or technology projects emerging from the discussions.
Sources
Food & Drink Wales - First Minister welcomes Japanese investors exploring opportunities in Wales' agri-food sector
Business News Wales - Japanese investors explore opportunities in Welsh food and farming
MIRAI - Japanese delegation exploring agri-food and vertical farming opportunities in Wales
Food Management Today - Japanese investors meet Welsh agri-food representatives
