We Are Tomodachi Japan and Russia Edition 2018

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8Bringing fresh vegetables to regions of extreme cold(6) Developing industries and export bases in the Far EastIn the Sayuri greenhouse, tomatoes were harvested the first winter, and now cucumbers are being grown. These fresh vegetables are enjoyed by children at local kindergartens.Yukio Temma, Director General of Hokkaido Corporation, explains, “It was mutual trust and the desire to provide tasty vegetables that enabled this project to succeed.”Ryota Notaki of the Traffic Control Systems Division of Kyosan explains, “Our traffic signal system ARTEMIS (Autonomous and Real-Time signal control based on Estimation of traffic demand for MInimization of Signal waiting time) exchanges information between signal control equipment and enables the reduction of traffic jams by controlling the timing of traffic light changes automatically. It’s a rather advanced system, even from a global perspective.”In the hope that this system will decrease traffic jams in Russia’s cities, ARTEMIS was tested in Moscow between July and August 2017. After the system was installed at five intersections in the Moscow suburbs, transit time in the test area of about 2 km (1.2 mi.) was found to have been significantly reduced, from around 8 minutes to about 5 minutes.The city of Voronezh has officially decided to make use of ARTEMIS as well. The city’s traffic authority and Kyosan have installed ARTEMIS at 10 intersections with extremely heavy traffic along the Moskovsky Prospekt, a major avenue running through the city center.Since the system became operational in late December 2017, ARTEMIS has shown immediate results. The average wait time at traffic signals has decreased by 28% since its implementation and it is obvious that the flow of vehicles has become significantly smoother. Residents are happy about the results, with one of them saying, “I’m really grateful for how much shorter my commute has become thanks to the reduction in traffic jams.”“Other cities in Russia witnessing the results achieved in Voronezh are sending us inquiries. I’m honored that we are able to contribute to solving traffic jams in Russia,” says Tomoaki Chiba of Kyosan’s Traffic Control Systems Division.This high-tech traffic signal system, which has reduced traffic jams in Japan, continues to spread in Russia.The city of Yakutsk in the north of Russia’s Republic of Sakha is located in an extremely cold region where temperatures reach as low as －60°C (－76°F). Who could have imagined that fresh vegetables could be grown in such a place? Japanese trading firm Hokkaido Corporation, which supports Japanese businesses’ activities in Russia, has coordinated a project to fulfill the wish of Yakutsk to be able to harvest fresh vegetables all year round.“Temperatures in Yakutsk are extremely cold and the soil is permafrost, which are immensely challenging circumstances for farming. I knew that it would be a difficult project, but if we are successful, we’ll be able to provide something very valuable,” explains Yukio Temma, Director General of Hokkaido Corporation.For the project, Hokko Corporation is designing the greenhouse, using its experience and know-how from Hokkaido, the coldest region in Japan. The covers are made with three layers of fluoride film with excellent translucence and durability, which improves their heat retention. With sunlight hours in Yakutsk being short, Hokko’s expertise is also used to provide the greenhouse with appropriate environmental control technology such as artificial lighting. In addition, Add-One Farm Co. Ltd. provides training in agricultural techniques. Russian growers have visited Hokkaido and learned growing methods for cold regions