Sigma Deepens Community Commitment with Launch of Rice Farming Initiative in Aizu

Camera and lens manufacturer to establish Sigma Aizu Farm Corporation, reinforcing sustainable regional engagement

XXX February th 2026– Sigma Corporation has announced that it will establish Sigma Aizu Farm Corporation on April 1, 2026 and begin agricultural initiatives centred on rice cultivation in the Aizu region of Japan. As a company long supported by the nature and people of Aizu, Sigma aims to further strengthen its commitment to regional contribution and to a manufacturing philosophy that coexists in harmony with the natural environment.

Sigma’s Aizu factory has served for many years as the company’s sole production site, supported by local communities and Aizu’s rich natural surroundings. The skills and spirit cultivated here have shaped Sigma’s quality and remain the driving force behind delivering “Made in Aizu, Japan” products to customers worldwide. 

At the same time, Aizu, like many regions across Japan, faces growing challenges, including a shortage of agricultural successors and an increase in abandoned farmland. As a result, satoyama landscapes, ecosystems, and local cultural heritage are gradually being lost, beginning with rice paddies that have long retained abundant water and supported the region’s natural cycles.

In response, Sigma believes that protecting the natural environment and supporting local livelihoods is an important responsibility for a company that continues to manufacture in this region. Launching rice cultivation through Sigma Aizu Farm represents a concrete initiative aimed at sustaining Aizu’s culture, landscapes, and ways of life for the future by maintaining and cultivating rice paddies and farmland.

Through the Sigma Aizu Farm initiative, Sigma will focus on cultivating rice blessed by the water and soil of Mount Bandai. The harvested produce is planned to be served in the employee cafeterias at Sigma’s Aizu factory and its headquarters in Kawasaki. By shifting from a position of simply receiving the blessings of the land to one of directly giving back to the region, Sigma embarks on a new chapter—contributing to the preservation of the local environment and culture through rice cultivation, while also helping to create traditional and stable employment opportunities in the Aizu region.

About Sigma

MADE IN AIZU, JAPAN. “The Art of Engineering. Engineering for Art.”

Sigma is a Japanese manufacturer of lenses and cameras. Founded in 1961, we innovate and push the standards of optical engineering out of a deep respect for the creative ways photographers and filmmakers engage with the world. Made in Aizu, Japan is made possible by Sigma’s sole production base, the Aizu factory in Japan. This quality embodies the true essence of Sigma–an integration of local wisdom, craftsmanship, and technology.

For further information, www.sigma-global.com