Groundbreaking ceremony. Photo: NTT

NTT Green & Food Breaks Ground on Massive Land-Based Salmon Farm in Kesennuma

JAPAN
Friday, January 16, 2026, 06:00 (GMT + 9)

Tech-Driven Facility to Produce 570 Tons of Fish Annually, Bolstering Miyagi’s Aquaculture Industry

KESENNUMA, MIYAGI — On January 13, 2026, NTT Green & Food (NTTG&F) officially commenced construction on a state-of-the-art land-based aquaculture facility in the Koizumi district of Kesennuma City. The groundbreaking ceremony, attended by 89 officials including Kesennuma Mayor Shigeru Sugawara, marks a significant milestone for Japan’s "Blue Economy" and the digital transformation of the fishing industry.

Photo: NTT

The project, led by President Yoshikazu Kusumi, represents a strategic partnership between NTT Corporation and Regional Fish Institute, Ltd. By combining NTT’s advanced ICT/IoT technology with cutting-edge genome editing and environmentally friendly farming systems, the facility aims to solve global food shortages while revitalizing the local economy.

A New Hub for Sustainable Seafood

The facility will utilize a semi-recirculating aquaculture system (RAS), which significantly reduces the environmental impact compared to traditional sea-cage farming. This method allows for precise control over water temperature and quality, protecting the stock from rising sea temperatures and parasites like sea lice.

Image of the land-based aquaculture facility after completion. Photo: NTT

According to the construction plan, the site in Motoyoshi-cho spans 8,675 square meters, with a building area of 3,256 square meters housed under a modern single-story membrane structure.

Key Production Targets:

• Coho Salmon (Intermediate seedlings): 260 tons per year.

• Trout Salmon (Market size): 310 tons per year.

• Total Annual Output: 570 tons of premium seafood.

Regional Revitalization and Innovation

The choice of Kesennuma is deeply symbolic. As a city that has spent over a decade recovering from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, the arrival of a high-tech facility signifies a shift toward "smart" reconstruction. Mayor Sugawara noted that the facility would not only create jobs but also establish Miyagi as a leader in sustainable food technology.

President Kusumi emphasized that the project goes beyond simple fish farming: "We will use digital technology to solve local issues and create a sustainable community. This project connects the pride of the Koizumi district to the future."

The facility will integrate AI-driven feeding systems to minimize waste and sensors to monitor fish health in real-time. By optimizing the growth cycle, NTTG&F expects to reduce the time it takes for salmon to reach market weight, ensuring a steady supply of fresh, locally-raised fish.

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