Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) and Sony Semiconductor Solutions have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture focused on smart agriculture. Scheduled to launch in April 2026, the new company will develop soil moisture sensors and irrigation navigation services to improve farm efficiency and sustainability amid growing climate challenges.
The partnership combines IIJ’s expertise in communication networks and smart agriculture with Sony’s precision sensor and AI technologies. The joint venture will provide farmers with data-driven tools to optimize irrigation timing and water usage, helping boost crop yields and quality while reducing reliance on traditional farming practices.
IIJ has been active in smart agriculture since 2017, deploying IoT-based water management systems across rice paddies, vegetable fields, and citrus farms. Sony brings experience in developing advanced sensors and data analytics to support environmental applications.
The new company will be 85% owned by IIJ, 11% by Sony, and 4% by other investors, with an initial capital of JPY 559 million. The venture will be led by Toru Saito, currently Deputy Division Director of IIJ’s IoT Business Division.
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