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WAKU and Tokyo University of Agriculture: A Collaboration for Soil Revitalization in Ukraine

The Japan-based company WAKU, led by CEO Ryosuke Himeno, has embarked on a significant joint research initiative with the Tokyo University of Agriculture for reviving Ukraine's agricultural lands. This project is part of a larger initiative spearheaded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), focusing on creating new businesses in Ukraine through technology transfer from Japanese enterprises.

Background of the Research

Since the onset of conflict in Ukraine in 2022, agricultural productivity has plummeted dramatically, primarily due to heavy metal contamination caused by military actions. Explosions and military vehicles have led to serious pollution from metals such as lead and cadmium. In this context, innovative approaches to revitalize agricultural land are urgently needed.

Glutathione, a natural amino acid compound found in plants, plays a crucial role in maintaining redox balance within plant cells and is known to enhance stress resistance while controlling the absorption of heavy metals. WAKU aims to leverage this property to contribute to the reconstruction of agricultural production in Ukraine through practical applications of this technology.

Research Objectives

In this collaborative effort, WAKU and Tokyo University of Agriculture will investigate the cultivation techniques and remediation methods using glutathione in soils contaminated with heavy metals. Led by Professor Shinichi Nakamura, the university's research team has previously elucidated mechanisms governing heavy metal transport and accumulation in plants, with a particular focus on cadmium and zinc dynamics.

Key aspects of the joint research include:

1. Heavy Metal Dynamics Analysis: Assessing the movement of cadmium and zinc within plant tissues upon glutathione application to evaluate the potential of these plants for phytoremediation.

2. Gene Expression Analysis (RNA-seq): Identifying glutathione-responsive genes to understand detoxification and defense mechanisms at the molecular level in plants.

3. Designing Phytoremediation Methods: Proposing suitable plant species and application conditions for remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils in Ukraine based on the findings.

Future Prospects

The scientific knowledge gained from this collaboration is slated to support pilot cultivation trials in Ukraine anticipated to commence in 2026. Building on the fundamental research results from Tokyo University, WAKU plans to work alongside local producers, research institutions, and government bodies to establish models for land revitalization using glutathione.

Further, the insights from Ukraine's project may pave the way for technology transfer to neighboring countries such as Poland and Romania, positioning these methods as core technologies in Europe’s broader initiative for "Green Recovery".

The challenge of heavy metal contamination is not limited to Eastern Europe; it is a global issue also prevalent in Asia and Africa. The non-chemical, non-GMO remediation techniques utilizing glutathione have the potential to serve as model cases for the future of environmental agriculture worldwide.

Company Overview

WAKU Corporation

• - Location: 5303 ORIC101, Haga, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
• - CEO: Ryosuke Himeno
• - Established: July 2022
• - Business Focus: Research, development, and sales of biostimulants and fertilizers utilizing glutathione
• - Website: WAKU

Contact Information

• - WAKU Corporation PR Contact: [email protected]
• - Tokyo University of Agriculture Management Planning Department: [email protected]
• - Phone: 03-5477-2300
• - Fax: 03-5477-2707