Hemp Innovation

What Hemp Innovation does

Hemp Innovation Ltd. (ヘンプイノベーション株式会社) is a Japanese privately held agribusiness founded February 1, 2022 and headquartered in Meiwa-cho, Mie Prefecture, that operates across the full industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa, low-THC) supply chain. The company was the first entity in Japan to obtain a general industrial hemp cultivator's license (spring 2023) and the first nationwide to receive a first-class cannabis cultivation license following the December 2023 revision of the Cannabis Control Law. It runs approximately 10 farms in Mie Prefecture (~1 hectare under cultivation), and has expanded licensed cultivation to Fukushima (May 2025) and Yamanashi (June 2026). Its core technology and capabilities include low-THC seed breeding and propagation (joint research with Mie University), mechanization of traditional Japanese hemp fiber spinning (麻績, Omi) led by specialist Yasutaka Takayasu, a THC-free product management system, and a hemp-based circular resource model utilizing stems, seeds, and hurds. Supporting ecosystem assets include the Amatsusuga-so industry-academia-government project, the HEMP HUB domestic platform, and the international IHEF network.

The company's product portfolio is split across food and fiber verticals. Food products include domestically produced Hemp Seed Oil (奥伊勢 hemp oil manufacturing facility, license April 2026, sales resume planned June 2026), Hemp Tea (麻績茶, currently suspended due to inventory shortage), and a shichimi togarashi blended with hemp seeds co-developed with long-established spice maker Yawataya Iogoro (also currently suspended). Fiber/textile initiatives include spinning-grade hemp fiber, traditional hemp cloth (大麻布), and the planned 2027 launch of the Omi LAB educational program. Revenue is generated through DTC e-commerce (amatsusugaso.base.shop on BASE), wholesale seed distribution via HEMP HUB and Iseasa, CBD raw material import/wholesale, hemp business consulting, and crowdfunding campaigns; payment-based workshops (¥500–¥22,000) generate small-scale experiential revenue.

Customer segments span municipalities and government bodies (e.g., Meiwa Town), sustainability-conscious Japanese consumers, industrial hemp businesses and new entrants (FY2025: 4 businesses in 4 prefectures), and food/cosmetics/health companies sourcing hemp-derived ingredients. Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, supported by media coverage, CEO speaking engagements at CBD JOURNEY, CANNABIS INSIGHT, Thailand Hemp EXPO, and the GX League registration. The company is led by CEO Nakako Uda (former 6-year parliamentary secretary and longtime cannabis regulation lobbyist), Director Shingo Matsumoto (Ise Hemp Co. co-representative and cultivator since 2018), and Director Hitoshi Nitta (Kokugakuin University professor of Shinto studies); former CTO Takashi Okanuma departed March 31, 2025.

Name

Hemp Innovation

Legal name

Hemp Innovation Ltd.

Website

https://hemp-innovation.co.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Hemp Innovation is a Japanese privately held agribusiness that cultivates, processes, and sells low-THC industrial hemp from a vertically integrated domestic supply chain across Mie, Fukushima, and Yamanashi, serving sustainability-conscious consumers, government/regional-industry partners, and new industrial hemp entrants with food, fiber, seed, and consulting products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Hemp Cultivation and Processing

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Hemp Farming (Fiber-Grade) (AFAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hemp & CBD Product Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAG)

Keywords

• Industrial hemp cultivation
• Hemp food products
• Hemp seed wholesale
• CBD raw materials
• Hemp fiber processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Saiku

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hemp Product Sales (Food & Fiber): Direct consumer sales of hemp-derived products including hemp seed oil (ヘンプシードオイル), hemp tea (麻績茶), and shichimi with hemp seeds (麻の実入りの七味唐辛子). Products are sold via the company's own e-commerce shop (amatsusugaso.base.shop). Food oil sales expected from June 2026.
2. Seed Production & Distribution: Production and wholesale of low-THC hemp seeds for industrial cultivation purposes. The company is the only entity in Japan that can propagate and sell traditional native seeds. Seeds distributed through HEMP HUB for general industrial use, and through Iseasa for traditional use (精麻).
3. Hemp Business Consulting: Consulting and matching services for domestic and foreign clients on hemp business. Leverages extensive network of hemp experts, regulatory expertise, and government relationships to help companies and municipalities plan and execute hemp projects.
4. CBD/Cannabidiol Raw Material Trading: Import and wholesale of raw materials for CBD/cannabidiol, along with market research and study of CBD products.
5. Hemp Cultivation Licensing & Analysis Services: Establishment and operation of inspection and analysis systems for hemp and cannabinoid products, supporting cultivation and product quality across the supply chain.
6. Crowdfunding Revenue: The company raises funds through crowdfunding campaigns (天津菅麻プロジェクト) to support cultivation equipment investment, education/awareness activities, and product development costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Hemp Innovation Ltd. cultivates industrial hemp across approximately 10 farms in Mie Prefecture (plus test sites in Fukushima and Yamanashi) and operates Japan's first complete domestic hemp supply chain from low-THC seed breeding through sowing, harvesting, processing, and product commercialization. The company sells domestically produced hemp food products (hemp seed oil, roasted hemp tea, hemp-seed shichimi togarashi) via its own BASE e-commerce shop, wholesales low-THC hemp seeds and spinning-grade hemp fiber to industrial users, imports and wholesales CBD raw materials, and provides hemp business consulting and matching services to domestic and foreign clients.

Product overview

Hemp Innovation operates as a hemp (industrial cannabis) agribusiness and R&D company centered in Meiwa Town, Mie Prefecture, focused on reviving Japan's hemp industry across the full supply chain — from seed breeding and cultivation to processing, product development, and market creation. Its product portfolio spans two primary consumer-facing categories: (1) food products including domestically produced Hemp Seed Oil, Hemp Tea (麻績茶), and Hemp Seed Shichimi Togarashi; and (2) fiber/textile products targeting the mechanical spinning of hemp thread and the revival of traditional hemp cloth (大麻布). Supporting these are education programs (麻績LAB), the HEMP HUB industry platform, and circular-economy research initiatives in Yamanashi Prefecture. The company holds food oils manufacturing licensing and operates the online shop AMATSUSUGASO BASE SHOP for direct product sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Hemp Seed Oil (ヘンプシードオイル) Edible hemp seed oil pressed from domestically grown native hemp varieties in Mie Prefecture; sold in limited quantities via the company's BASE online shop to Japanese consumers interested in domestic, sustainable health foods rich in omega-3, omega-6, essential amino acids, and minerals.
• Hemp Tea / Omi-cha (麻績茶) Roasted hemp stem tea bags made from domestically grown Japanese hemp; a heritage tea product targeting consumers seeking traditional, sustainable beverages. Production and sales currently suspended due to stock shortages.
• Hemp Seed Shichimi Togarashi (麻の実入り七味唐辛子) Domestic shichimi togarashi (seven-spice Japanese chili blend) with hemp seeds, co-developed with the long-established Japanese spice maker Yawataya Iogoro. Sold to Japanese consumers seeking domestically produced, heritage food products with hemp ingredients. Production and sales currently suspended.
• Industrial Hemp Seeds (Low-THC / Native) Low-THC and traditional native (精麻) hemp seeds propagated and wholesaled by Hemp Innovation — the only company in Japan able to propagate and sell native hemp seeds for industrial use. Distributed to member organizations via HEMP HUB (general industrial use) and Iseasa (traditional 精麻 use).
• Spinning-Grade Hemp Fiber (製糸用ヘンプ繊維) Domestically grown industrial hemp fiber intended as raw material for mechanical spinning and textile production, supplying Japanese textile manufacturers and fiber processors with a domestic, traceable alternative to imported hemp fiber.
• CBD Raw Material Import & Wholesale Import and wholesale of raw materials for CBD/cannabidiol, along with market research and study of CBD products, supplying Japanese food, cosmetics, and health product manufacturers with compliant cannabinoid inputs.
• Hemp Business Consulting & Matching Consulting and matching services for domestic and foreign clients on hemp business. Leverages an extensive network of hemp experts, regulatory expertise, and government relationships to help companies and municipalities plan and execute hemp projects, including cultivation licensing, supply chain setup, and product commercialization.
• Hemp Fiber Accessory Making Workshop Hands-on workshop where participants experience traditional hemp fiber processing — hand-peeling, rope braiding, and accessory making — taught by Yasutaka Takayasu, Director of the Tai Ma Hemp Museum. Priced at ¥22,000 per person and offered to consumers and cultural-heritage enthusiasts in Mie Prefecture.
• Hempcrete Workshop Workshop introducing hempcrete — a bio-composite building material made from hemp hurds, lime, and water — taught by hempcrete expert Taro Tajima of Rimuzu. Participants mix the material and take home samples, targeting construction-industry professionals and sustainability-minded consumers.
• Omi LAB (麻績LAB) Pre-Course Pre-course previewing the planned 2027 Omi LAB education program, where participants experience the full hemp fiber process — from sowing, thinning, and harvesting to fiber processing and spinning into thread. Held in Meiwa Town, Mie Prefecture for heritage and craft-interested participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 hectare of hemp cultivation absorbs approximately 9–15 tons of CO2 per cycle (EU official figures cited)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 三重大学 (Mie University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2023Industry-academia collaboration on joint research for improvement of hemp seeds (low-THC varieties) and stable production. Hemp Innovation participates in the Meiwa Town industry-academia-government collaboration project with Mie University.
• 天津菅麻プロジェクト (Amatsusuga-so Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-academia-government collaboration project headquartered in Meiwa Town, Mie Prefecture.执行团体はヘンプイノベーション株式会社. Partner organizations include 伊勢麻, 明和観光商社, HEMPHUB, HIDO. Aims to establish Japan's domestic hemp supply chain from cultivation to product commercialization, reviving the 1,300-year Saiku hemp tradition.
• IHEF (International Hemp Environmental Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational network co-founded by CTO Takashi Okanuma in January 2016. As of July 2022, has 117 members from 30 countries across 5 continents. Organized the 1st International Hemp Environmental Forum in Kyoto (2016) and 2nd in Bangkok (2022). Hemp Innovation leverages this network for global hemp industry connections.
• HEMP HUB (ヘンプハブ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDomestic hemp industry platform established through the 天津菅麻プロジェクト. Hemp HUB manages the cultivation department and coordinates hemp business matching, new product development, and bio-char workshops. Hemp Innovation distributes seeds for general industrial use through HEMP HUB's cultivation division.
• 八幡屋磯五郎minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-established Japanese shichimi togarashi producer. Collaboration product: domestically produced shichimi with hemp seeds (麻の実入りの七味唐辛子). Sold through Hemp Innovation's e-commerce shop.
• 大麻博物館 (Tai Ma Hemp Museum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapan's only cannabis museum, operated by 高安淳一 (Director). Hemp Innovation hired museum director 高安淳一 as a specialist to guide the mechanization of traditional hemp fiber spinning (麻績糸). Collaboration on exhibitions, workshops, and education programs including 麻績LAB pre-courses.
• HIDO (Hemp Industry Development Organization / 一般社団法人麻産業創造開発機構)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization for hemp industry development. CEO菟田中子 serves as a director (理事) of HIDO. Hemp Innovation participates in HIDO events and advocacy activities.
• 伊勢麻振興協会 (Iseasa / General Association for the Promotion of ISEASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation dedicated to supporting traditional Japanese hemp cultivators and promoting hemp cultivation deregulation. Director松本信吾 is co-founder. Hemp Innovation works with Iseasa for seed distribution for traditional use (精麻). Association was instrumental in the 2023 Cannabis Control Law revision.
• 明和町 (Meiwa Town)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government of Meiwa Town, Mie Prefecture — the historic hemp-growing region. Partner in the 天津菅麻プロジェクト and the 2023 industry-academia-government collaboration launch. Meiwa Town declared 'Hemp GX Declaration' in March 2023 and participates in the GX League.
• 高安淳一 (大麻博物館 館長)coreOthersLeading researcher on Japanese hemp culture and fiber spinning techniques. Hired by Hemp Innovation in July 2025 as specialist to guide the semi-industrialization of traditional hemp fiber spinning (麻績糸) and the development of the 麻績LAB educational program. Producer of special exhibition at Meiwa Town library (April–May 2026).
• WeavearthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHemp clothing brand. Hemp Innovation participated as speaker at Weavearth's hemp exhibition-sale event in Kyoto (July 2026). Collaboration on hemp industry education and awareness at the event.
• Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TIHTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganized the 2nd International Hemp Environmental Forum (IHEF) at the Asia International Hemp Expo 2022 in Bangkok. TIHTA and IHEF collaborated under the BCG model concept (BioEconomy, Circular economy, Green Economy).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Iseasa / General Association for the Promotion of ISEASA (一般社団法人伊勢麻振興協会): Industry association for traditional Japanese hemp cultivators, founded by Hemp Innovation Director Matsumoto in 2014. Instrumental in the 2023 Cannabis Control Law revision and distributes Hemp Innovation's traditional-use seeds.
• Japan Hemp Association (日本ヘンプ協会): Japanese hemp industry non-profit co-founded by former Hemp Innovation CTO Okanuma, which registered as an NPO in 2014 and provides industry advocacy. Closely aligned with Hemp Innovation's mission to revive Japan's domestic hemp industry.
• Ise Hemp Co. (株式会社伊勢麻): Japanese industrial hemp cultivation company co-founded by Hemp Innovation Director Shingo Matsumoto. Operates traditional 精麻 production and holds hemp cultivation licenses, making it the closest direct peer in Japan's domestic hemp supply chain.

Regional players

• Hemp Foods Australia: Australian bulk hemp food manufacturer (hemp seed, hemp protein, hemp oil) comparable in product mix to Hemp Innovation's consumer food line, though at meaningfully greater scale and operating in a more mature regulatory environment.
• Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TIHTA): Thai hemp industry association that partnered with Hemp Innovation's IHEF network for the 2022 Asia International Hemp Expo in Bangkok. Comparable Asian hemp trade body operating in a more mature but regionally distinct market.

Emerging players

• PharmaHemp: European vertically integrated hemp cultivation and CBD raw material producer. Comparable in covering seed-to-finished-product across food, CBD, and wellness categories, and useful as a benchmark for European-style integrated supply chains.
• Hempitecture: US-based hemp building materials company (hempcrete, insulation) that mirrors Hemp Innovation's fiber and hempcrete initiatives. Relevant comparison for hemp-crete workshop products and hemp-based construction material commercialization.
• Weavearth: Japanese hemp clothing brand and event organizer that has partnered with Hemp Innovation for hemp exhibition-sales events in Kyoto. Operates in the same downstream hemp textile category.

Broad incumbents

• Charlotte's Web Holdings: Largest US CBD/hemp wellness brand with full vertical integration from proprietary hemp genetics to branded products. Serves as a scaled-up reference point for the kind of branded hemp consumer-products business Hemp Innovation could become.
• Elixinol Wellness: Global CBD/hemp wellness company with a Japanese subsidiary distributing hemp-derived products in Japan. A larger incumbent operating in the same downstream hemp consumer-product category, though focused on CBD rather than fiber/food.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hempinnovation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hemp Innovation