Technologies from Kochi Prefecture (Japan), such as water treatment and recycling of agricultural and forestry by-products, are considered highly compatible with Vietnam. Vietnamese companies can look for opportunities to cooperate with Kochi enterprises not only in the field of environmental technology but also in many other potential industries.

Green technologies from Kochi Prefecture – Japan

Kochi Prefecture is located on the Pacific Ocean, in the Shikoku region (Japan), and has a dense mountainous terrain and rivers, with about 84% of the prefecture covered by forests – the highest level in the whole of Japan. Kochi is also famous for the longest Shimanto River in Shikoku, which is not only a symbol of nature but also a typical image of the people’s lifestyle in harmony with the environment of Kochi.

Despite its abundant water resources, Kochi frequently faces heavy rains, storms, floods, and landslides, thereby accumulating a wealth of experience in water management, environmental treatment, and damage caused by natural disasters. From that fact, Kochi Prefecture has formed an advanced environmental and disaster prevention industry, focusing on water treatment, waste management, recycling of agricultural and forestry by-products, and developing technologies for sustainable development inside and outside Japan. Among these, a number of potential solution groups from Kochi are assessed to be suitable for the needs and conditions of Vietnam, such as:

Biological wastewater treatment system: adopts natural filtration materials and beneficial microorganisms to decompose pollutants without chemicals, with low power consumption, reduces the amount of sewage sludge, especially suitable for rural areas or places with limited treatment infrastructure.

Microbial preparations that improve the water environment, such as Gensuke Clean, apply beneficial microorganisms to help decompose organic matter, purify water, and sludge in rivers, lakes, and ponds without chemicals. This solution helps reduce bottom sludge in aquaculture areas, prevent diseases, limit odors and gases generated, increase water clarity, and restore natural biodiversity.

Gensuke Clean cleared the water in the moat around Kochi Castle

Source: Ueta Labo (Kochi Prefecture)

Solutions to treat the environment after flooding: specialized suction trucks with high-pressure vacuum systems can suck up mud, sand, wastewater, and wet rocks in hard-to-reach areas such as underground sewers and flooded areas; operate effectively with high-viscosity waste, support overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, and restore the environment after storms and floods.

Solutions for recycling agricultural by-products and biomass energy, such as compost pellet machines with low-temperature compression technology to help keep microbiological activity intact, save energy, or biomass burners using sawdust fuel, automatic operation, and high efficiency. These technologies contribute to reducing emissions from agricultural and livestock by-products, creating added value, and promoting energy efficiency and circular economy development.

Ryuzo-kun Raw Material Pellet Machine

Source: Kakiuchi Corporation (Kochi Prefecture)

Cooperation with Kochi Prefecture: Opportunities and Potential for Vietnamese Businesses

Vietnam is promoting its green growth and circular economy strategy. The National Environmental Protection Plan for the period 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050 (Decision 611/QD-TTg) identifies focuses including improving water quality, conserving biodiversity, and developing a low-carbon economic model. Solutions to recycle and reuse agricultural and forestry by-products, promote circular agriculture, are also emphasized in Decision 540/QD-TTg on ‘scientific development, application and technology transfer to promote circular economy in agriculture by 2030’.

In this process, the private sector, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), plays a key role in the development and application of environmental technology solutions that are suitable for the scale and actual operating conditions. Technologies from Kochi Prefecture (Japan), such as water treatment and recycling of agricultural and forestry by-products, are considered to be highly compatible with Vietnam’s natural characteristics, infrastructure, and green development orientation, contributing to promoting the green transition effectively.

From 2024, Kochi Prefecture has established a Support Desk in Vietnam, operated by B&Company Vietnam under the authorization of the Kochi Prefecture Industrial Promotion Center (Japan). This department plays the role of a bridge to promote technology cooperation, promote transfer, and market development between enterprises of the two countries. Vietnamese companies can look for opportunities to cooperate with Kochi enterprises as suppliers, technical partners, or outsourcing customers, not only in the field of environmental technology but also in many other potential industries.

Vietnamese businesses interested in cooperating with Kochi companies can directly contact Kochi Vietnam Support Desk – Kochi Prefecture Trade Support Desk in Vietnam to share cooperation goals and explore valuable combination opportunities in related fields.

Kochi Support Desk Vietnam – Contact information:

B&Company Vietnam

4th Floor, VINARE Building, 141 Le Duan, Hoan Kiem Ward, Hanoi

5th Floor, Duong Anh Building, 181 Dien Bien Phu, Tan Dinh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City

Phone: +84 24 3633 0847 (Japanese and Vietnamese)

Email: kochisupportdesk@b-company.jp

Website: https://b-company.jp/

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Article published by B&Company on Cafebiz Newspaper

Cover photo: Kakiuchi Corporation (Kochi Prefecture)