#Japan #Takamiya #Akita #MEGADERU

Introduction

Takamiya, a platform developer in the construction industry based in Osaka and Tokyo, has recently announced the introduction of its agricultural land matching support service, MEGADERU, by the Akita Agricultural Corporation. This marks the first instance of a comprehensive implementation of the service by the Agricultural Land Intermediary Management Organization across multiple municipalities in Akita Prefecture.

The Importance of Agricultural Land Matching

The MEGADERU service aims to streamline the matching between landowners wanting to lease or sell their farmland and potential tenants or buyers by publishing agricultural land information that is accessible online. With the rising issues related to aging agricultural producers and a lack of successors leading to an increase in idle farmland throughout the country, this initiative seeks to facilitate the flow of agricultural land and ensure that skilled workers are available to sustain the sector.

Addressing a Growing Concern

Many municipalities are currently grappling with a severe shortage of farmers combined with an aging agricultural workforce. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' agricultural structure dynamics survey released in June 2026, the number of principal agricultural operators in Japan has dropped below 1 million for the first time, showing a decline of 4.8% year-on-year to 987,000. Approximately 70.2% of these individuals are aged 65 and older, indicating a significant aging crisis within the agricultural community.

Moreover, the complex procedures required for leasing or buying farmland, such as obtaining approvals, paired with the lack of clarity regarding how potential tenants can access information, exacerbates the challenges faced by the industry.

As outlined in Akita Prefecture's “Akita Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Vision,” the region boasts abundant agricultural land, with a food self-sufficiency rate of 202% (estimated) for the fiscal year 2023, ranking second nationwide. However, the increasing labor shortage has led to a rise in abandoned farmland, threatening the maintenance of the multifunctional aspects of rural areas, including water conservation and national land preservation.

Launching MEGADERU

In response to these challenges, the Akita Agricultural Corporation has implemented MEGADERU to visualize and match agricultural land across all municipalities in the prefecture. By adopting MEGADERU, local municipalities can leverage the service without incurring individual contracting costs, ultimately promoting the flow of agricultural land across the entire region.

Benefits for Local Governments and Agricultural Administrators

1. Improved Matching Accuracy through Land Visualization
The service features a geolocation system linked with Google Maps that allows users to view agricultural land data like area, price, access roads, and irrigation status. This ensures potential farmers can evaluate locations accurately, reducing the chances of mismatches.

2. Digitalization and Efficiency in Administrative Services
MEGADERU digitizes previously manual tasks involved in sharing farmland information and consultations. Future farmers can access and compare data 24/7 online, allowing local governments to cut down on labor hours while effectively recruiting agricultural operators.

3. Encouraging Applications from Outside the Region
MEGADERU provides more detailed local land information that existing platforms do not offer, including images of farmland and surrounding environments. This flexibility enables municipalities to more effectively market their land, even to those unable to visit in person.

Feedback from the Akita Agricultural Corporation

Yuta Kudo from the Farmland Aggregation Section of Akita Agricultural Corporation expressed:
1. Reason for Adopting MEGADERU
The corporation has been progressive with its land leasing initiatives but faced challenges in finding willing tenants. Visualizing farmland data can connect landowners with aspirational farmers directly, greatly enhancing the matching process.

2. Community Expectations
There is significant hope that making farmland data available online can reach not just local farmers but also those across Japan. Feedback systems within the service allow easy communication between applicants and the corporation, facilitating a more efficient operation. The capability to access current land conditions via smartphones adds to the convenience for all parties.

3. Future Aspirations
A growing number of municipalities in Akita are deploying MEGADERU as part of their strategies. By accumulating matching efforts and increasing visibility of practices, this initiative aims to innovate within agricultural assistance tools and contribute to farmland consolidation.

Conclusion

Moving forward, Takamiya is set to continue expanding into municipalities struggling with the dual challenges of securing tenants and managing idle farmland. MEGADERU will promote a more visible agricultural landscape, facilitating connections between landowners and prospective agricultural workers, ultimately addressing the pressing issues of aging farmers and workforce shortages in Japan's agricultural sector.