Case Studies

Working Toward the EM Universal Village

Okinawa, Japan
Country:
Japan
Category:
Construction
Tag:
Governmental project, Large scale
Working Toward the EM Universal Village
Overview

On July 1, 2022, EM Research Organization signed an agreement with Kitanakagusuku village officials to launch a village-wide revitalization project. The project called “To Create a Village of Health and Welfare Utilizing Agriculture in Kitanakagusuku Village”, officially led by the Japanese government, aims to foster health and welfare by integrating ‘housing, food, and tourism’ with agriculture.

Chronological Background

2017: EM Research Organization, Inc. (EMRO) participated in this project as a member of the Kitanakagukusu Village Committee.
2020: EMRO became the first company in Okinawa Prefecture to be certified as a "Regional Revitalization Promotion Corporation".
2021: EMRO applied for the "Cabinet Office Okinawa Promotion Specific Project Promotion Subsidy" to implement this project under the internal project name of "Kitanakagusuku Village EM Universal Village Project."
2022: The subsidy for this project was approved, and construction has begun.

Objective

This project’s main objectives are:

1. To sustain a thriving community and vibrant industries (agriculture and tourism).
2. To create local employment, to promote local production and local consumption of people and goods (food, agriculture, and energy), and to realize "a safe and secure village where agriculture and housing are in harmony and where people can live in peace, no matter what happens”.
3. To establish an energy infrastructure that covers the entire village.

 
Project Outline

To ensure that both the government and the private sector are involved in implementing this project, it is planned to be launched in six phases.

 

Project Details

Phase 1
*Ongoing project as of Apr. 2023

A plan has been made to construct a biogas power generation facility using recycled resources to operate a solar hydroponic cultivation and biostimulant facility starting in 2025, thereby enabling local production of electricity for local consumption. This phase will be developed by EMRO.

Click the image below for further details.


 
Phase 2
*Starting from 2025

This project will include the development of a farm for hands-on experience and tourism, a farmers' market and restaurant, and a flower garden. It will be implemented on a land next to a park to attract more customers to the direct sales shop and farmer's restaurant. This phase will be developed by EMRO.

 

Image photos of farmers' market, farmers' restaurant, and farms
Image photos of farmers' market, farmers' restaurant, and farms
Conceptual illustration of medical and welfare facilities
Conceptual illustration of medical and welfare facilities
Phase 3
*Starting from 2024

In this phase, medical and welfare facilities will be developed to serve as the center for medical and dietary services. To receive emergency power supply from the biogas power generation facility, this facility will be constructed on land next to the Phase I developed area. A health promotion farm for the elderly and a rehabilitation farm for the purpose of nursing care will also be considered. This phase is planned to be developed by a local medical company.
Image photos from Organization for Revitalizing Urban-Agriculture-Fishery-Rural Interactions website
Image photos from Organization for Revitalizing Urban-Agriculture-Fishery-Rural Interactions website
Phase 4
*Starting from 2025

Farms for residents, welfare, agritourism, and community will be established in this phase. Patients from medical and welfare facilities (Phase 3 facilities), will be able to go to the hospital and undergo rehabilitation while staying in the facility. This phase is planned to be developed by a local farmland ownership corporation.
Image photos from Amanohashidate Kyoto website
Image photos from Amanohashidate Kyoto website
Phase 5
*Starting from 2025

This project envisions to introduce "glamping" (glamorous + camping), a stay-and-go resort experience facility to promote green tourism. This phase is planned to be developed by a local farmland-owning corporation.
Image photos from Niigata prefecture website.
Image photos from Niigata prefecture website.
Phase 6
*Starting from 2025

In this phase, it is planned to build houses using the High-quality, Sustainable Rural Housing Program. This phase will be launched by a collaboration between a main company and housing construction companies.
EM Universal Village Project Tour - Simulation Video
*Click on the "CC" button for English subtitles.
 
Conceptual illustration of the completed project
Conceptual illustration of the completed project


Updates will be posted as soon as they become available.

 
(April, 2023)

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