Arabfields, ilhem Saàdoun, Correspondent, Kobe, Japan — Japan is exploring a new approach to fertilizer production that could help reduce its dependence on imported agricultural raw materials, as supply-chain uncertainty and international trade restrictions continue to challenge the country’s farming industry.

Fukuoka-based agricultural wholesaler welzo is working with Kyushu University’s Plasma Nanotechnology Research Center to develop a technology that converts nitrogen from the air into fertilizer components using plasma-treated compost.

The research, which began in April 2024, could offer an alternative to conventional fertilizer production by using locally available agricultural waste, including cattle and poultry manure.

The initiative comes as Japan remains heavily dependent on overseas suppliers for key fertilizer ingredients, including urea, diammonium phosphate and potassium chloride. Restrictions on Chinese fertilizer exports have added pressure to procurement strategies, highlighting the vulnerability of agricultural supply chains.

For farmers, the consequences of such dependence can be felt directly through input costs and uncertainty over the availability of essential materials. Fertilizer is a fundamental part of crop production, and disruptions in supply can complicate decisions about planting, investment and harvest planning.

The approach is still experimental, but early results have provided grounds for further investigation. Trials involving sugarcane and komatsuna, a Japanese leafy vegetable, have shown visible differences in plant growth following plasma treatment. Researchers and the company are now working to establish the most effective irradiation conditions and determine how much nitrogen can be captured.

Welzo President Yoshifumi Kanao sees the research as part of a broader effort to strengthen Japan’s agricultural independence. The proposed system would allow livestock farms to process manure into nitrogen-enriched compost, potentially creating a more circular supply of agricultural inputs.

The commercial potential, however, remains uncertain. Researchers must improve nitrogen fixation efficiency and establish whether the technology can be produced at scale at a competitive cost. Equipment durability and the consistency of fertilizer quality will also need to be assessed before widespread adoption becomes realistic.

The company is also investing in artificial intelligence to address another challenge facing agriculture: the loss of practical knowledge as experienced farmers retire.

Through its group company Jat, welzo is seeking to digitise cultivation expertise developed over decades. Experienced agricultural advisers can identify problems in plants by examining stems, flowers, soil conditions and other visual indicators. The company hopes to translate part of this knowledge into AI systems capable of adjusting water, temperature and lighting according to crop requirements.

For younger farmers and new entrants, such technology could make specialist cultivation knowledge more accessible and reduce reliance on lengthy periods of practical training.

Welzo’s ambitions extend beyond Japan. In May 2026, the company announced a strategic investment in SECAI MARCHE, a fresh-food distribution platform operating across Southeast Asia. The partnership is intended to strengthen its regional presence and create opportunities in agricultural production and distribution.

The company’s strategy reflects a broader shift in the agricultural supply business, from simply distributing fertilizers and equipment towards managing more stages of the food value chain.

Over the coming years, the success of its plasma fertilizer project will depend on whether laboratory and field results can be translated into commercially viable production. If nitrogen fixation becomes sufficiently efficient, the technology could help reduce exposure to international fertilizer supply disruptions while making better use of livestock waste.

For Japan, the potential benefits extend beyond individual farms. A reliable domestic fertilizer production system could strengthen agricultural resilience, although it is unlikely to eliminate import dependence in the near term.

Welzo’s research therefore represents an emerging approach to a longstanding problem: how to protect agricultural production from external supply shocks while improving efficiency through science and technology.