Nousouken Corporation
A Japanese agri-tech company operating a direct farm-to-supermarket produce distribution platform called 'Farmer's Direct Sales Stand'.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
Nousouken Corporation (株式会社農業総合研究所) is a Japanese agri-tech company headquartered in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture. Founded in October 2007 by Tomomasa Oikawa, the company operates a direct distribution platform that connects producers across Japan with urban supermarkets, bypassing traditional wholesale markets. Its flagship business, the 'Farmer's Direct Sales Stand' (農家の直売所), allows farmers to set their own prices and shipping destinations, delivering fresh, traceable produce to consumers under the concept of 'face-visible' agriculture. The company was established after Oikawa, who had experience in both agricultural production and sales, sought to address inefficiencies in Japan's produce distribution system. Nousouken positions itself as a 'agriculture × IT venture,' using IT to link producers, logistics, and payment systems. It collects produce at over 78 collection points nationwide and operates five logistics centers, providing a short-path logistics network that delivers fresher produce than conventional market distribution. In June 2016, Nousouken became the first agricultural venture to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market (later moved to the Growth market in April 2022). The company expanded its business to include the 'Direct Wholesale' (産直卸) business in October 2020, which involves purchasing produce from registered farmers and selling to supermarkets with a brand mark '100% Nousouken' (100％農直). As of August 2025, Nousouken reported annual distribution volume of 17 billion yen and monthly distribution volume of 1.5 billion yen. The company has 292 employees (including officers and part-time staff) and capital of 581 million yen (including capital reserve). Its main business partners include major supermarket chains such as AEON Retail, Izumiya, Hankyu Oasis, Summit, Daiei, Tokyu Store, Life Corporation, and Maruetsu. In February 2026, a tender offer by SOMPO Light Voltex, a wholly owned subsidiary of SOMPO Holdings, was completed. The company was delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market on April 27, 2026, and became a subsidiary of SOMPO Holdings. The representative directors are Tomomasa Oikawa (Chairman and CEO) and Hiroshi Horiuchi (President).
History
Nousouken Corporation was founded in October 2007 in Wakayama Prefecture by Tomomasa Oikawa, who had prior experience in both agricultural production and sales. Oikawa's motivation stemmed from his firsthand experience that 'agriculture is hard both to produce and to sell,' leading him to establish a company that would directly connect producers with urban supermarkets. The company launched its 'Farmer's Direct Sales Stand' (農家の直売所) business, which allows farmers to set their own prices and shipping destinations, bypassing traditional wholesale markets. In May 2008, the first collection point, 'Kinokawa Collection Point,' was opened in Kinokawa City, Wakayama Prefecture. The company moved its headquarters to Kuroda, Wakayama City in June 2011. In July 2012, it opened a Tokyo Sales Office in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. In June 2016, Nousouken listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market, becoming the first agricultural venture to do so. That same year, it opened the Settsu Center in Settsu City, Osaka, and the Osaka Sales Office in Yodogawa Ward, Osaka. It also made World Market Co., Ltd. a subsidiary (later changed to an affiliate in April 2019). In September 2017, the Tokyo Sales Office was relocated to Oi, Shinagawa Ward. In May 2018, the Ota Center was opened in Ota Ward, Tokyo, and in October 2018, the Nagoya Sales Office was opened in Nakamura Ward, Nagoya. In March 2019, the Nagoya Center was opened in Toyoyama Town, Nishikasugai District, Aichi Prefecture. In June 2020, the Tokyo Processing Center was relocated (opened) in Ota Ward, Tokyo. In August 2020, the company achieved 10 billion yen in distribution volume for the fiscal year ending August 2020. In January 2021, the headquarters was moved to the front of Wakayama Station. In May 2021, the Kobe Center was opened in Nada Ward, Kobe, and in September 2021, the Wakayama Center was opened in Kinokawa City, Wakayama. In December 2021, Toyama Chuo Seika Co., Ltd. became an affiliate (sold in October 2023). In April 2022, the company transitioned from the TSE Mothers market to the Growth market. In April 2024, the Direct Sales business achieved a cumulative distribution volume of 5 billion yen, and in May 2024, the cumulative distribution volume reached 100 billion yen. In August 2024, Yasai Job Co., Ltd. was established as a subsidiary. In December 2024, monthly distribution volume reached 1.5 billion yen. In July 2025, the 'Farmer's Direct Sales Stand' business achieved monthly distribution volume of 1.3 billion yen, and in August 2025, annual distribution volume reached 17 billion yen. In February 2026, a tender offer by SOMPO Light Voltex, a wholly owned subsidiary of SOMPO Holdings, was completed. The company was delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market on April 27, 2026, and on April 30, 2026, a share consolidation made SOMPO Light Voltex, Tomomasa Oikawa, and Hiroshi Horiuchi the only shareholders.
Nousouken Corporation founded in Wakayama
First collection point 'Kinokawa Collection Point' opened in Kinokawa City, Wakayama
Headquarters relocated to Kuroda, Wakayama City
Tokyo Sales Office opened in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo
Listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers market
Settsu Center opened in Settsu City, Osaka
Osaka Sales Office opened; World Market Co., Ltd. became subsidiary
Tokyo Sales Office relocated to Oi, Shinagawa Ward
Ota Center opened in Ota Ward, Tokyo
Nagoya Sales Office opened in Nakamura Ward, Nagoya
Products and positioning
A leading company in direct-from-farm distribution, providing a platform that connects producers and consumers through supermarkets, emphasizing freshness, traceability, and producer visibility.
Farmer's Direct Sales Stand (農家の直売所)
Platform for direct sales of fresh produce from producers to urban supermarkets, allowing farmers to set prices and destinations.
Direct Wholesale Business (産直卸事業)
Business that purchases produce from registered farmers and sells to supermarkets with brand mark '100% Nousouken'.
Yasai Job (やさいジョブ)
Job information site specialized for the agricultural industry, opened June 29, 2026.
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