Israel Japan | Business Guide | 2018

Israel-Japan > Business Guide > 2018 064 > Agriculture andWater > Sector Review W ith a rate of 90% in conversion of waste water to reusable water, Israel is the world's leader in water recycling.Israeli drip irrigation methods help to achieve 70%-80% of water efficiency in agriculture - the highest rate in the world. Israel has achieved the highest ratio of crop yield per water unit in the world. Israel is home to the world's largest seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants, annually producing 140-150 million m3 at a low cost of approximately $0.52 per m3 of water, the most cost-efficient of its kind in the world. Desalinated water constitutes 50% of its municipal requirements. Israel boasts of the highest ratio of crop per water unit. There are numerous breakthroughs in purification & reclamation and the most economical methods in desalination in the world. It applies years of experience to water security. Israeli officials lead several international standard committees (ISO) in crisis management and water utility, support systems in water utility and early-warning systems.Israel is the first country to adopt a comprehensive, national approach to water resources. Water in Japan Japanese companies have a competitive edge in water treatment membrane technologies, including the desalination of seawater and treatment of drainage from sewage. Such technologies have been adopted by numerous large-scale overseas plants,and they account for 60% of the world market for water treatment membranes.However, the market for water treatment membranes and other such equipment accounts for only 6.4% of the water-related market as a whole. Unlike Europe,where water services were privatized from an early stage, Japan has historically been dependent on its municipal authorities for its water services. Thus, there is limited expertise in the private sector about maintenance and management of water services. Because there is no common strategy by individual companies, Japanese companies have not been able expand water treatment solutions overseas.In light of these circumstances, efforts are being stepped up for a cross-sectional collaboration by industry,government and academia and the unification of Japanese strategies. Synergy between Japan & Israel in Agriculture andWater The two Countries can Join Hands to Increase Domestic & Global Outputs Agriculture in Israel Agricultural inputs play a major role shaping ensuring food security and in shaping Israel’s image in the world.These are characterized by intensive research and development of innovative systems owing mainly to the need to overcome adverse climatic conditions and shortage of land and water. Major industry sectors Fertilizers,pesticides,irrigation,seeds,seedlings and multiple materials, machinery, veterinary products and food additives, plastics, animal and agricultural consultancy. Companies in the industry are divided into 3 kinds: • Manufacturers of chemicals and equipment • Projects Companies  • Agricultural expertise More and more Israeli companies are collaborating on knowledge, technologies and equipment to offer agricultural projects that offer solutions (turn-key projects) in order to enhance the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. Agriculture in Japan Business analysts forecast that the AgriTech market in Japan is primed for extensive growth internationally.Offering technological solutions, AgriTech businesses are marketing a wide variety of products and services to meet industry demands, increase productivity, lower costs, use less resources such as energy, water and pesticides, and improve quality and availability. Overall Japan has a shrinking agricultural sector, demonstrated by Government data showing the number of full-time farmers at 1.7 million in 2014, declining from 2.2 million a decade earlier, thus making Japan reliant on food imports. A Government initiative is promoting farming automation technology in order to raise crop yields - making up for workforce deficits. Japanese tech companies are investing heavily in agricultural technology as a big opportunity in both domestic and global markets,attracting small-scale start-ups to big corporations such as Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, and Panasonic, to name but a few. There is also a trend for farmland in Japan to be cultivated by "business farmers" and "agribusiness" – from about 50% today to 80% by 2025, according to government estimates. Exports of Israel to Japan: $1.5 billion (electrical equipment, chemical products, polished diamonds). Imports of Israel fromJapan: $1.16 billion (cars,chemical products, machinery, electrical equipment). Historical Moments