Square Roots Japan Inc. will renovate part of a warehouse under the JR Keiyō Line near Shin-Kiba Station to establish its first farm: Agri Tech Lab Tokyo, an advanced modular indoor farm scheduled to open in January 2026.
Role of “Agri Tech Lab Tokyo”
Agri Tech Lab Tokyo will serve as a hub for experimentation and creation, combining Japan’s agricultural heritage with cutting-edge technology to implement solutions in cities and society. It will address global challenges such as supply risks from droughts and floods caused by climate change, and food crises linked to resource constraints, while also tackling domestic structural issues like aging farmers, labor shortages, and declining food self-sufficiency. The goal is to establish a sustainable agricultural model for the next generation.
© Square Roots Japan
The new facility will function as a research and development site, replicating and validating U.S.-commercialized crops under Japanese conditions, trialing Japan-specific varieties, and enabling joint research with partners in Japan and abroad. It will also act as a showroom and business meeting space for presentations, lectures, and events aimed at clients, partners, and the media. In addition, Agri Tech Lab Tokyo will serve as a talent development hub, offering training for farm staff and internships with educational institutions and partner companies. Commercial production is expected to begin gradually in the second half of 2026.
Potential of urban-adjacent production models
By situating production close to cities and integrating with logistics infrastructure, Square Roots Japan aims to shorten supply chains, reduce food miles, and maximize freshness and quality. Stable urban supply will meet diverse demand from restaurants, retailers, healthcare, and welfare facilities, contributing to greater regional resilience. The farm will also create new jobs in operations, quality control, logistics, and customer engagement, broadening career opportunities in urban farming. Collaborations with municipalities, schools, retailers, and the food service sector will advance the “fusion of cities and agriculture,” providing new value to local communities.
© Square Roots Japan
Utilizing underused urban spaces as next-generation farm models
Square Roots’ proprietary environmental control technology and modular systems make it possible to create value in urban spaces traditionally unsuitable for farming. By turning an under-railway warehouse into a farming hub, Agri Tech Lab Tokyo pioneers a model for sustainable, high-value urban agriculture. The facility will also promote data-driven and systemized farming, enabling operations even by less experienced staff.
“Square Roots Japan is now fully launching initiatives that embody the mutual exchange of Japanese tradition and technology. Starting this month, I’ll be based in Tokyo to work closely with the Square Roots Japan team on establishing our first indoor farm. We aim to grow ‘Agri Tech Lab Tokyo’ into a hub that brings new value to food, work, and cities, embedding advanced indoor farming into Japanese culture,” said Tobias Peggs, Co-Founder & CEO, Square Roots USA.
© Square Roots Japan
Tobias Peggs
Recruitment information
With the launch of Agri Tech Lab Tokyo, Square Roots Japan is hiring for new positions. Roles include farm managers to oversee production activities, crop management, IPM planning, food safety, and scheduling; farmers to take responsibility for crop production, including sowing, transplanting, harvesting, packaging, and shipping; and facilities technicians to handle maintenance of environmental control systems, HVAC, water supply, pumps, and overall safety management. Applications are accepted via the entry form or by email with a resume and CV.
For more information:
Square Roots Japan
instagram.com/sqrjapan
[email protected]
www.squareroots.co.jp
AloJapan.com