Rakuten : Invests in Remote Farming Service Provider Telefarm

Tokyo, June 23, 2016 - Rakuten, Inc. (TOKYO: 4755) today announced that it has invested in remote farming service provider Telefarm Co., Ltd.

Since September 2010, Telefarm has been providing a remote cultivation service for organic vegetables which incorporates gamification. The company carries out 'Community Supported Agriculture' through the internet, and by connecting consumers and farmers, allows consumers to obtain vegetables they have overseen themselves, and provides farmers with stable revenue and sales channels.

With the working population in the agricultural industry steadily declining, coupled with Japan's aging population, labor shortages in the industry are becoming a serious problem, and the amount of deserted arable land is increasing every year. Farmers are facing serious challenges, with initial investment and unstable revenues posing obstacles for new farmers, and the securement of stable sales channels and a shortage of successors presenting challenges for established, small-scale farmers.

Since its founding, Rakuten has upheld the philosophy of empowering people and society through the internet, and it intends to bring innovative solutions to solve challenges in agriculture, and contribute to the development of the industry. Rakuten decided to invest in Telefarm as part of the agriculture reforms it intends to promote.

Going forward, Rakuten will explore the development of new services in the agriculture field through the internet, while aiming to contribute to regional revitalization through the utilization of deserted arable land and support for new farmers.