About 2,500 kilometers south of Japan, coffee trees on Rota Island are remnants of the Japanese colonial era. Two Japanese men aim to commercialize this coffee, hoping to turn it into a symbol of peace and friendship between Japan and the island. Kiyokazu Onishi and Naomi Nakahira are passionate about reviving the coffee industry that once thrived on the island. They discovered the Typica variety of Arabica coffee beans, which Japanese settlers brought to the island.
• Onishi first visited Rota in 1993 and fell in love with its beauty and culture.
• After a decline in tourism, he sought ways to revitalize the island, leading to the discovery of the coffee trees.
• Nakahira confirmed the trees were Typica beans and is now helping to cultivate new saplings.
• Plans are in motion to brand the coffee as “Rota Blue Coffee,” aiming for local and international recognition.
This initiative matters as it not only revives a historical agricultural practice but also fosters economic growth for the local community. It represents a unique opportunity to connect Japan and Rota through shared history and culture, creating a lasting impact for future generations.
Enjoying the read? Subscribe for free to one of the fastest-growing newsletters and get weekly coffee news (TL;DR updates) delivered right to your inbox.