ARK Inc. Establishes APAC Base in Malaysia, “ARK ASIA PACIFIC SDN. BHD.,” to Tackle Challenges in Fisheries Resources and Food Security
ARK Inc. (Headquarters: Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative Director, CEO and Group Representative: Yosuke Kurihara; hereinafter “ARK”) has established “ARK ASIA PACIFIC SDN. BHD.” in Malaysia to accelerate business expansion in the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region, and is now ramping up local operations.
Under its mission to “give the sea a rest by creating small seas on land,” ARK develops and sells modular closed-circulation recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and operates its own aquaculture business using this system, working to build a mechanism and culture that makes land-based aquaculture possible anywhere, for anyone. Aiming to solve social challenges facing the global fisheries industry, such as changes in the marine environment and food security, ARK is advancing the global expansion of land-based aquaculture.
With this move, ARK is positioning its Malaysia base as a hub for business development, R&D, and partnership-building in the APAC region, and will accelerate the social implementation of land-based aquaculture across Southeast Asia and the wider Global South.
Background to Establishing the APAC Base
Amid global population growth, climate change, and rising demand for marine products, ensuring a stable and sustainable supply of seafood has become a shared global challenge.
At the same time, aquaculture varies greatly by region in terms of fish species, climate, water quality, energy conditions, food culture, and distribution environments. Implementing sustainable aquaculture models around the world therefore requires building technologies and business models adapted to each region’s environment and industrial characteristics.
ARK has so far advanced technology development, research, and business development in land-based aquaculture in Japan and the UK. To expand further globally, the company believes it is essential to conduct R&D and demonstration projects in locations with stable year-round weather and proximity to growth markets with anticipated future demand, while building an ongoing framework for collaboration with local companies, research institutions, government bodies, and talent in each region.
With this in mind, ARK has established an APAC base in Malaysia to serve as a hub for business and R&D in Southeast Asia.
Four Focus Areas for the APAC Base
・ Research & Technology Development: Advancing research and development of land-based aquaculture technology tailored to Southeast Asia’s climate, fish species, water quality, and energy environment.
・ Local Demonstration & Social Implementation: Optimizing technology cultivated in Japan for local conditions, and working with local partners to demonstrate and socially implement land-based aquaculture systems.
・ Partnership Building: Strengthening collaboration with local companies, universities, research institutions, and government agencies to promote joint research, business development, and the creation of new aquaculture models.
・ Business Expansion into the APAC Region: Using Malaysia as a base to accelerate business expansion across the APAC region, centered on Southeast Asia.
Malaysia Base Overview
| Company Name | ARK ASIA PACIFIC SDN. BHD. |
| Representative | Yosuke Kurihara, Co-founder/ Representative Director/, CEO, ARK Inc. |
| Location | G-A, Block 2330 (COPLACE 10), Century Square, Jalan Usahawan, Off Persiaran Multimedia, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia |
Comment from Yosuke Kurihara
Co-founder/ Representative Director/, CEO, ARK Inc.
The establishment of this Malaysia base is, I believe, a major step for ARK as we work to realize a Japan-originated model of modular land-based aquaculture on a global scale.
Land-based aquaculture is not something that can simply be achieved by taking technology established in Japan and transplanting it overseas. Conditions such as climate, fish species, water quality, energy, food culture, and distribution vary widely from region to region.
That is precisely why we want to establish a local presence and work together with the people, companies, research institutions, and government bodies of each region to build aquaculture models that are truly needed and loved by that region.
We will position Malaysia as a key hub in APAC and advance research and business development throughout Southeast Asia.
Toward realizing a society in which seafood can be produced sustainably and distributed safely in various locations around the world, ARK will continue to offer new options to the global fisheries industry.