The Tokachi Plain, Hokkaido, is the largest continuous expanse of farmland in the Japanese archipelago. Unlike the fragmented paddies of Honshu, the terrain here extends to the horizon with minimal obstruction.
The Daisetsuzan range remains snow-covered in the distance under a clear sky. The landscape contains few structures, primarily windbreaks and silage towers.
A convoy of black Mercedes-Benzes traveled along National Route 38. On either side, freshly thawed black soil extended to the edge of sight.
Emi observed the terrain through the window. "If I did not see the road signs, I would think we were in the American Midwest," she said. "It is so large it makes one feel insignificant."
Satsuki sat across from her, reviewing a land survey report.
"This is Tokachi," she said. "43 degrees north latitude. This latitude contains some of the most fertile chernozem soil on earth. This land produces grain efficiently."
The convoy turned onto a newly graveled private road and approached a series of silver-gray domed structures identified as "S-Farm Base 1," constructed by Saionji Food Corporation.
Upon arrival, employees in "S-Farm" uniforms stood assembled by the warehouse. Hayakawa, president of Saionji Food, opened the vehicle door. "Young Lady, thank you for the long journey," he said.
Standing beside Hayakawa was Kohei Otsuka, S-Farm's chief technical consultant, aged in his fifties.
He wore a grease-stained baseball cap. Otsuka was known for advocating radical mechanization and had been marginalized by the mainstream agricultural sector.
"Mr. Otsuka," Satsuki said, approaching him and extending her hand. "It appears you have settled in."
Otsuka removed his glove, revealing a calloused palm, and shook her hand.
"Funding resolves logistical issues," he replied. "As long as resources are available, there are no issues. Miss Saionji, the equipment you provided is calibrated."
He activated his walkie-talkie. "Everyone, open the warehouse."
The hangar door opened, revealing ten John Deere 8850 heavy tractors, V8 turbocharged engines with tires taller than a person. Behind them were hydraulic reversible plows, precision seeders, and a combine harvester.
Emi looked at the equipment. "Is this what we are using for farming?" she asked. "The Kubotas I am familiar with are smaller by comparison."
"These are not standard farm implements," Otsuka said. "They are high-capacity machinery. In Japan, a typical farmer uses a 20-horsepower tractor. It requires two full days to plow one hectare. This unit has 370 horsepower."
He indicated the operators in the cabs. "It completes the same work in two hours. One machine and one operator perform the work of one hundred farmers."
Satsuki examined the machines.
"This is the first component of Saionji Food's cost-reduction strategy," she said. She gestured toward the consolidated land.
"Economies of scale. The reason Japanese produce is expensive is land fragmentation. Individual operators manage small plots with low efficiency and high cost. Here, I have acquired three thousand hectares and consolidated them into a single unit. In this context, agriculture is not dependent on weather conditions. It is industrial, an assembly line, standardized production."
Emi adjusted her glasses. "Machines alone are insufficient, correct? I have heard fertilizer and seeds in Japan are expensive. That is where the primary cost lies."
"Correct," Otsuka said. He displayed a handful of fertilizer pellets to Emi. "Do you know what this is?"
"Fertilizer?"
"Diammonium phosphate," Otsuka said.
"Purchased at a standard agricultural supply store, it costs five thousand yen per bag. That is the price set by JA. In this country, farmers are dependent on JA. They must buy JA's seeds, JA's fertilizer, and use JA's loans to purchase machinery. Multiple layers of cost result in expensive potatoes."
Hayakawa presented a customs declaration from his briefcase.
"This batch was purchased directly from the U.S. and Canada through Saionji Trading's overseas channels," he said, indicating the figures. "Landed cost is 40% of Japan's market price."
"That is the second component," Satsuki said. "Removal of JA intermediation. We do not use intermediaries. We have our own fleet, logistics, and procurement. From seed to fertilizer, feed to pesticide, S-Farm operates on a closed loop outside Japan's existing agricultural system."
Otsuka looked at Satsuki. When Hayakawa initially contacted him, he doubted anyone would challenge JA's authority within Japan. However, subsequent deliveries of imported fertilizer and the arrival of John Deere machinery confirmed the operation's scale.
"Mr. Otsuka," Satsuki said, meeting his eyes. "I do not want standard-priced potatoes. I want potatoes at half the market price. With these machines and these raw materials, can you achieve it?"
Otsuka smiled. "Half?" He raised his walkie-talkie. "Everyone, start engines."
The ten heavy tractors activated. The ground vibrated from the engine output.
Otsuka raised his voice above the mechanical noise: "Boss, you underestimate industrialization. Not half. One-third. I guarantee it."
He signaled. The machinery advanced. Tires compressed the frozen earth. Hydraulic plows engaged the soil, turning over layers of black earth. The units moved in formation across the terrain.
The sun descended. Light covered the Tokachi Plain.
Satsuki stood on the field ridge, observing the machines. She bent down and collected a handful of black soil. It was damp and fertile. She opened her hand and allowed the soil to disperse in the wind.
In the distance, the machinery cast long shadows across the black earth.