Enhancing Regional Contribution Through Rice Planting Training Program

On June 6, 2026, Open House Group, based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, held an informative rice planting training session for its new recruits in Ota City, Gunma Prefecture. This event, conducted in collaboration with various local parties including the city government and Ota City Agricultural Cooperative (JA Ota), was a continuation of last year's successful initiative, aiming to strengthen understanding and awareness about the significance of agriculture in the local community.

The agricultural sector is currently facing numerous challenges, including an aging workforce, a lack of successors, and the soaring production costs for fertilizers and fuels exacerbated by climate change. This has raised unprecedented concerns regarding the stable supply of rice, Japan's staple food, as well as food security in general. As Open House Group sustains its vision of actively contributing to regional vitality, this initiative underscores its commitment to addressing such pressing issues.

In Ota City, the company also manages the B.LEAGUE B1 team, the Gunma Crane Thunders, and operates the only sales center outside of major metropolitan areas, furthering their residential business endeavors. The rice planting training aims to not only empower the new recruits in understanding agriculture but also fosters communication, teamwork, and a renewed focus on the role agriculture plays within the community.

The training is aligned with the broader educational goals endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, which recognized Open House Group as a “2026 Excellent Organization for Food Education” due to its initiatives that promote awareness regarding food production and consumption.

The day commenced with a motivational speech from Yoshimitsu Niijima, head of the Ota City Agricultural Policy Department, encouraging participants to understand the power of producing rice and its ability to showcase the charm of Ota City. Following this, Eichi Tsukakoshi, head of the JA Ota’s Agricultural Division, provided insights through his lecture titled “Connecting Food and Agriculture to the Future.” He pointed out the declining number of core agricultural workers, new farmers, and overall food self-sufficiency rates, while shedding light on the current pressures in the agriculture sector resulting from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

After the informative sessions, approximately 25 recruits stepped into the rice fields under the guidance of local farmers and JA Ota staff, experiencing the hands-on labor involved in rice planting. Barefoot in the muddy fields, they worked in unison, planting the seedlings of a rice variety known as “Nijino Kirameki,” renowned for its high quality and cultivated widely in the regions west of Kanto. Over approximately two hours, they planted around 2,000 seedlings within a 150 square meter area.

Many of the participants shared enlightening reflections post-training, acknowledging the impact of current economic trends on agriculture as they pursue careers in real estate, reflecting on the necessity to intertwine