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View Upcoming Events3rd JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory
Date
August 31, 2026 ā September 1, 2026
Location
Kashiwanoha Conference Center, Kashiwa, Japan
Organizer
Japan Plant Factory Association/JPFA
About the Event
š Location: Kashiwa-no-ha Conference Center, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
š Dates: August 31–September 1, 2026
š Times: August 31, 10:15–17:30 · September 1, 9:30–17:00
š„ Reception: August 31, 18:00–20:00
š¤ Organizer: Japan Plant Factory Association (JPFA)
šļø Supported by: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries · Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan · Chiba Prefecture · Kashiwa City
About the 3rd JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory
The JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory 2026 brings together international researchers, plant factory operators, technology providers, policymakers, food-system experts and urban development professionals at the smart city of Kashiwa-no-ha in Japan.
Under the theme “Toward a Sustainable Future,” the symposium will provide a platform for open discussion and international co-creation around the utilization, societal roles, technological challenges and future direction of plant factories with artificial lighting (PFALs).
The program will also explore how PFALs can contribute to social activities within the global ecosystem and help create more varied, resilient and flexible systems for food and plant production.
Discussions at Kashiwa-no-ha will connect plant production with food security, human health, pharmaceutical applications, urban planning, resource efficiency and space agriculture—with a view to creating communities where people can remain healthy simply by living there.
Event Information
Dates and Times
Monday, August 31, 2026
10:15–17:30
Reception from 18:00
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
9:30–17:00
Venue
Kashiwa-no-ha Conference Center
Approximately two minutes on foot from Kashiwanoha-campus Station on the Tsukuba Express Line.
Organizer
Japan Plant Factory Association
In Cooperation With
- Center for Environment, Health and Field Sciences, Chiba University
- Research Center for Space Agriculture and Horticulture, Chiba University
Official Support
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Chiba Prefecture
- Kashiwa City
Symposium Content
- International keynote speeches
- Panel discussions
- Poster presentations
- Poster Awards
- Exhibitor presentations
- Technology exhibitions
- Luncheon seminars
- Professional networking
Language support
Real-time automated transcription and translation will be provided during the symposium sessions.
Confirmed Speakers
The 2026 program features speakers from leading plant factory companies, universities, international organizations, research institutions and technology providers.
Hiroki Koga
Co-founder and CEO, Oishii Farm
“Vertical Farming Today: From Research to Industry”
Leo Marcelis
Professor and Head of Chair Group Horticulture and Product Physiology, Wageningen University
“Dynamic Light Control in Plant Factories”
Katsuya Tsuchihara
Board Member and Director, Exploratory Oncology Research and Clinical Trial Center, National Cancer Center Japan
“The Formation of Urban Life Science Hubs: Integrating Plant Factories and Community Planning for Next-Generation Health and Sustainability”
Eri Hayashi
President, Japan Plant Factory Association
“Plant Factory Innovations: Paving the Way for Sustainable Food, Human Health, and Urban Systems”
Tisha Livingston
Co-founder, 80 Acres Farms
“Best Idea Wins: Reimagining Farming at Scale”
Eriko Hibi
Director, Food and Agriculture Organization Liaison Office in Japan
“Global Food Security Today: The Urgency and Importance of Innovation”
Shoko Hikosaka
Professor, Graduate School of Horticulture, Chiba University
“From Food to Pharma, From Earth to Space: Plant Factories as a Platform for Sustainable Bioproduction”
Roel Janssen
Chief Business Development Officer, eternal.ag
“From Photons to Profit: 15 Years of Building the Vertical Farming Industry...and What Comes Next”
Claudia Philpot
Project Manager for EDEN LUNA, German Aerospace Center (DLR)
“(EDEN) LUNA Test Facility: A Highly Integrated Plant Cultivation and Processing Facility for the Moon”
Giuseppina Pennisi
Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna
“Resource Use Efficiency and Environmental Impact of Plant Factories”
Murat Kacira
Professor, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center, University of Arizona
“Optimizing Air Distribution to Achieve Environmental Uniformity Enhances Resource Use Efficiency in Vertical Farming”
Noriho Fukuzawa
Senior Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
“Plant-made Pharmaceuticals and Plant Factories”
Mexx Holweg
Technical Solutions Manager and Crop Advisor, Dutch Lighting Innovations
“From Photons to Pharmaceutical Compounds: Optimising Light Environments for Medicinal Cannabis Production”
Yukio Kimura
Chairman, Vegetable Distribution Cutting Association
Nagateru Nozawa
CEO, MIRAI CO., LTD.
Katashi Kai
General Manager, Shinnippou / 808 Factory
Program – Day 1
Monday, August 31, 2026
| Time (JST) | Speaker | Program | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:30 | — | Doors Open and Check-in | — |
| 10:15 | Norikazu Suzuki Kazumi Ota Koutaro Yokote |
Opening Guest remarks by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Guest remarks by Chiba Prefecture Guest remarks by the Mayor of Kashiwa City Guest remarks by the President of Chiba University |
— |
| 10:50 | Eri Hayashi | Plant Factory Innovations: Paving the Way for Sustainable Food, Human Health, and Urban Systems | EN |
| 11:25 | Leo Marcelis | Dynamic Light Control in Plant Factories | EN |
| 12:00 | Mitsui Fudosan | Luncheon Seminar and Lunch Break Complimentary boxed lunches will be available in the foyer. |
— |
| 13:15 | — | One-minute Poster Presentations I | EN |
| 13:30 | — | Three-minute Exhibitor Presentations | EN |
| 13:50 | — | Short Break | — |
| 14:05 | Katsuya Tsuchihara | The Formation of Urban Life Science Hubs: Integrating Plant Factories and Community Planning for Next-Generation Health and Sustainability | EN |
| 14:40 | Eriko Hibi | Global Food Security Today: The Urgency and Importance of Innovation | EN |
| 15:15 | — | Poster Session I, Exhibition Viewing and Short Break in the Foyer | — |
| 15:50 | Noriho Fukuzawa | Plant-made Pharmaceuticals and Plant Factories | EN |
| 16:20 | Mexx Holweg | From Photons to Pharmaceutical Compounds: Optimising Light Environments for Medicinal Cannabis Production | EN |
| After the sessions | — | Closing and Networking | — |
| 18:00–20:00 | — | Networking Reception at the Symposium Venue Separate pre-registration is required. |
— |
Program – Day 2
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
| Time (JST) | Speaker | Program | Language |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 | — | Doors Open and Check-in | — |
| 9:30 | — | Opening | — |
| 9:35 | Hiroki Koga | Vertical Farming Today: From Research to Industry | JP |
| 10:10 | Nagateru Nozawa Katashi Kai |
Panel Discussion | JP |
| 11:00 | — | Short Break | — |
| 11:15 | Roel Janssen | From Photons to Profit: 15 Years of Building the Vertical Farming Industry...and What Comes Next | EN |
| 11:50 | Giuseppina Pennisi | Resource Use Efficiency and Environmental Impact of Plant Factories | EN |
| 12:25 | — | One-minute Poster Presentations II | EN |
| 12:40 | Macnica, Inc. | Luncheon Seminar and Lunch Break Complimentary boxed lunches will be available in the foyer. |
— |
| 13:50 | Tisha Livingston | Best Idea Wins: Reimagining Farming at Scale | EN |
| 14:25 | Murat Kacira | Optimizing Air Distribution to Achieve Environmental Uniformity Enhances Resource Use Efficiency in Vertical Farming | EN |
| 14:55 | — | Poster Session II, Exhibition Viewing and Short Break in the Foyer | — |
| 15:30 | Shoko Hikosaka | From Food to Pharma, From Earth to Space: Plant Factories as a Platform for Sustainable Bioproduction | EN |
| 16:05 | Claudia Philpot | (EDEN) LUNA Test Facility: A Highly Integrated Plant Cultivation and Processing Facility for the Moon | EN |
| 16:40 | — | Poster Award Ceremony | — |
| 17:00 | — | Closing | — |
Program times, speakers and individual sessions may be subject to change.
On-site Participation Benefits
All participants will receive a copy of the symposium lecture materials.
Real-time automated transcription and translation will be available during the sessions.
Free participation in the Kashiwanoha Smart City Tour, scheduled for the morning of September 1, 2026.
Free participation in the tour of plant factories and greenhouses at Chiba University’s Kashiwanoha Campus, scheduled for September 2, 2026.
Tours may be changed or cancelled depending on operational circumstances.
Registration Fees
| Category | Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| JPFA Members | JPY 25,000 |
| Non-members | JPY 60,000 |
| Networking Reception | JPY 8,500 |
- š Students: Students interested in participating should contact [email protected] before registering.
- š„ Reception: The reception will take place at the symposium venue from 18:00 on August 31. Separate registration is required.
- ā¹ļø Sponsorship: Reception participation is not included within the scope of event sponsorship packages.
Registration
Use the registration button on this event page to apply for participation in the symposium.
JPFA Training Course on PFALs
September 3–4, 2026
The JPFA PFAL Training Course will be held immediately following the 3rd JPFA International Symposium on Plant Factory.
The course combines on-demand video lectures, onsite instruction and exclusive visits to commercial plant factories with artificial lighting. It is designed to provide participants with practical and comprehensive insights into plant factory technology, cultivation, management and commercial operations in Japan.
Training Format
On-demand Video Lectures
Before and after the onsite training, participants will have access to more than ten video lectures totaling approximately 11 hours. Topics include PFAL fundamentals, cultivation, environmental control and business operations.
Onsite Lectures – September 3, Morning
University researchers and industry experts will provide lectures on plant factory technologies, cultivation and management, environmental control and business models.
Commercial PFAL Visits – September 3 and 4
Participants will visit four commercial PFAL facilities, including a full-day tour to Shizuoka on September 4. The visits offer an opportunity to observe real operations and learn directly from plant factory operators.
Main Location
JPFA facilities at Chiba University, Kashiwanoha Campus
Format
Online pre-learning plus two days of onsite training
Training Course Fees
| Category | Course Fee |
|---|---|
| JPFA Members | JPY 185,000 |
| Non-members | JPY 260,000 |
The fee includes onsite lectures, commercial site visits, transportation during the visits and access to the on-demand video lectures.
Accommodation and meals are not included.
Reference: 2025 Training Program
The 2025 training course included commercial PFAL visits, expert lectures on plant factory technologies and business models, and online pre-learning materials.
The 2026 training course will follow a similar structure with updated content and site visits.
Program information last updated July 8, 2026. Event details may be changed by the organizer.
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