In the wake of climate change, LED-illuminated 'plant factories' gain attention.

In Tokyo’s upscale Ginza district, Itoya Ltd. has transformed part of its flagship store into an innovative hydroponic farm, cultivating pesticide-free lettuce on the 11th floor. Since its installation in 2015, this roughly 60-square-meter operation produces up to 20 kilograms of fresh lettuce daily, which is served in a cafe’s fig and blue cheese salad for 1,750 yen ($11.30). Itoya’s farm is one of many emerging “plant factories” in Japan, responding to rising vegetable prices driven by climate change. Other companies, such as Leaf Factory Tokyo Co., are also joining the trend, utilizing advanced technology to grow a variety of vegetables indoors. Despite challenges like high utility costs and fluctuating vegetable prices, the market for indoor-grown produce is expected to expand significantly, projected to reach 24 billion yen by March 2029. Experts suggest that while traditional crop farming may face limitations due to environmental factors, plant factories could represent a viable agricultural model for the future.

In the wake of climate change, LED-illuminated ‘plant factories’ gain attention.

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