Building Resilient Communities Through Sustainable Innovation
Tokyo, Japan – SIIF Impact Capital, Inc. (SIIFIC) and The Japan Social Innovation and Investment Foundation (SIIF) are pleased to announce that the SIIFIC Wellness Fund has invested in Proximar Ltd. (Proximar) through the subscription of bonds with stock acquisition rights.
Proximar, led by CEO Joachim Nielsen and headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is the country’s first large-scale land-based Atlantic salmon farming company. Located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Oyama, Shizuoka Prefecture, the company utilizes advanced Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology and high-quality groundwater to produce fresh, locally farmed Atlantic salmon, reducing reliance on long-distance imports. Through this investment, the SIIFIC Wellness Fund aims to strengthen rural communities by creating skilled jobs while supporting a more sustainable seafood industry with a lower environmental impact.
Investment Rationale: Strengthening Communities by Creating Sustainable Jobs
The SIIFIC Wellness Fund prioritizes investments in startups that create jobs and build resilient communities in underserved rural areas. As depopulation and urban migration accelerate across Japan’s countryside, social capital is diminishing, leaving fewer individuals to sustain local economies. Additionally, the lack of professional development opportunities in these regions exacerbates outmigration to urban centers.
Recognizing these challenges, the SIIFIC Wellness Fund is committed to investing in businesses that provide quality jobs—hiring skilled professionals, young talent, women, and foreign employees—to revitalize local communities and enhance overall wellness. Through this investment in Proximar, SIIFIC aims to support job creation and the recruitment and retention of specialized talent in rural areas, ultimately fostering a society where everyone can live better.
Investment Decision-Making Process
To ensure meaningful impact, the SIIFIC Wellness Fund conducted a systems mapping analysis (Figure 1) to evaluate Proximar’s potential effects on the local community. This analysis informed the development of Proximar’s Theory of Change, which visualizes its expected impact.
Multifaceted Job Creation: Proximar actively hires skilled professionals, young talent, women, and foreign workers, contributing to regional economic revitalization and social inclusion.
Strengthening Social Capital: By fostering a work environment where employees take pride in their contributions, Proximar helps reinforce community bonds and build local resilience.
Projected Impact
Short-term: Creation of jobs in rural areas.
Mid-term: Establishment of a diverse and fulfilling work environment.
Long-term: Development of a resilient, interconnected local community with strong social capital.
Comment from Proximar CEO, Joachim Nielsen
“We are honored to combine Norway’s cutting-edge aquaculture expertise with Japan’s rich natural resources to deliver high-quality, sustainable Atlantic salmon to Japanese consumers. With the support of the SIIFIC Wellness Fund, we look forward to deepening our collaboration with local communities and fostering an inclusive workplace.”
Ongoing Support & Future Outlook
Moving forward, the SIIFIC Wellness Fund will support Proximar in aligning its business practices with B Corp standards—ensuring high levels of transparency, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging its expertise in impact investing, SIIFIC aims to drive systemic change in the wellness sector, contributing to a society where everyone can live a better life.
About Proximar Ltd.
- Founded: May 2017
- Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- CEO: Joachim Nielsen
- Employees: 49
- Website: https://ja.proximarseafood.com/
Proximar Ltd. is pioneering land-based aquaculture in Japan through the use of advanced Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology. By sustainably farming Atlantic salmon at the base of Mt. Fuji, the company minimizes environmental impact while ensuring a stable, high-quality seafood supply, ultimately contributing to Japan’s food security and sustainable fisheries industry.
About SIIF Impact Capital, Inc. (SIIFIC)
SIIFIC is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm dedicated to integrating innovation, wellness, and equity to drive systemic change. Founded in 2022 by Kazu Umeda and Reiri Miura, SIIFIC manages the SIIFIC Wellness Fund, investing in high-impact startups that generate both financial returns and measurable social impact.
Guided by the belief that wellness should not be a privilege but a shared reality, SIIFIC supports impact-driven companies that empower individuals, strengthen communities, and sustain the planet. With a hands-on approach and an evidence-based investment philosophy, SIIFIC creates a ripple effect of transformation, redefining the role of capital in shaping a better world.
Learn more: https://siific.co.jp
About SIIF
Japan Social Innovation and Investment Foundation (SIIF)
Established in 2017, SIIF has been a leader in promoting impact investing in Japan. The foundation plays a key role in developing Japan’s impact investment ecosystem through research publications, collaborations with the Financial Services Agency (FSA), and advocacy for policies that channel capital into socially beneficial businesses.