Smart Net-Zero

February 17, 2026 | World Economic Forum |

Japan is deploying smart agricultural technologies and public-private partnerships to adapt farming to accelerating climate impacts. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan recorded a +1.48°C  temperature deviation in 2024, the highest on record, causing widespread chalky rice grains and poor fruit set across 60-70% of northern Japan. In response, heat-tolerant rice varieties now cover 206,000 hectares, a 2.5-fold expansion over the past decade, representing 16.4% of all staple rice production. Smart agriculture technologies in paddy cultivation have reduced labour hours by an average of 9%, with pesticide-spraying drones cutting working time by 61% and automated water management systems by 80%. The Act on the Promotion of Smart Agricultural Technology, enacted in October 2024, establishes certification schemes and provides financial incentives for technology adoption. Shizuoka Prefecture has also launched a regional initiative for avocado cultivation as crop suitability zones shift.