The Future Food Institute, a global nonprofit transforming food systems through education and innovation, expands presence in Japan through the launch of an award-winning platform.
(24 May 2022, Tokyo Japan). The Future Food Institute, an Italian headquartered, global food sustainability nonprofit has expanded its presence in the Japanese market through the recent launch of its award-winning Food and Climate Shapers Digital Boot Camp, developed in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and delivered through support from the Tokyo Food Institute and Tokyo Tatemono.
“Tokyo, with its rich food history, forward-thinking culture, and unique challenges around urban sustainability, is an ideal setting to explore and embrace food system innovation. We know the power of collaboration to spark innovation and are excited to expand our global network of partner entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and activists within the Tokyo community to catalyze the transition towards the sustainable development framework.” – Sara Roversi, President of the Future Food Institute.
Focused on the goals of Protecting the Planet, Empowering People, and Enabling Prosperity, the executive participants from companies including S&B Foods Inc., Dole, Pasco, Mizuho Securities, Aranea, Floatmeal, in the recent Digital Boot Camp – Japan Edition explored the core themes of Regenerative Farms, Cities, Oceans, and Kitchens in addition to sessions on design and ‘prosperity thinking,’ a methodology developed by Future Food that unlocks creativity to go beyond user-centered design to focus on human and planet-centered growth. The month-long professional training included in-person networking and web-based sessions by external speakers in which participants were introduced to innovative ideas and approaches from global thought leaders.
“I am participating in the Climate Shapers Boot Camp and have learned that the challenges of food are multifaceted and that there are many different players developing and offering their own solutions. I was strongly attracted by the way they were taking action anyway, without being afraid that it might not be understood by everyone. And I was greatly pleased to see my recognition expanding and transforming as we exchanged ideas.I hope to continue building a network with various people in order to participate in solving food issues.” – Arata Minamino, Institute of Future Food Cultures, S&B Foods Inc., Boot Camp participant.
Addressing the climate crisis calls for an integrated approach combining knowledge of the challenges and our behaviors that exacerbate them, innovation of novel solutions to regenerate valuable resources, and active engagement of global stakeholders. Through its interconnected ecosystem of community engagement, academic preparation, and food innovation design and development, Future food is uniquely positioned to bring impact-focused education programs and activities to the Japanese market.
The in-person sessions of the recent Japanese-focused Boot Camp were conducted at the Kyobashi Living Lab, a joint partnership between the Future Food Institute and Tokyo Tatemono launched in 2020 to build a sustainable food ecosystem in the Kyobashi area of Tokyo. The Kyobashi Living Lab connects food innovation with community outreach to raise awareness of food sustainability challenges.
“As part of the Future Food Institute’s commitment to sustainability through food, this first Japanese Boot Camp was an ideal educational opportunity to leverage our global network of activities. We believe that the input from the front-line speakers, the lively Q&A sessions, and the hackathon structure allowed participants to expand their professional networks and thinking to support their future sustainable activities. We look forward to continuing to work with the Future Food Institute as a hub for the food ecosystem,” stated Akihiro Sawada of Tokyo Tatemono / Tokyo Food Institute.
This Japanese edition of the Digital Boot Camp was the first in a series of Japan-focused events, corporate education programs, research initiatives, collaborative agreements, hackathons, and product launches scheduled for 2022, all geared towards accelerating transformational innovations to revolutionize the food ecosystem.
Any individuals or organizations interested in expanding their sustainable development efforts by exploring a collaboration focused on designing and empowering a more regenerative global food system are invited to contact kyobashi@futurefoodinistute.org.
About the Future Food Institute
The Future Food Institute is an international ecosystem that exists to sustainably improve life on Earth through education and innovation in global food systems. By training the next generation of change-makers, empowering communities, and engaging government and industry in actionable innovation, Future Food catalyzes progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Learn more at https://futurefoodinstitute.org/ or join the conversation:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FutureFoodJapan
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyobashilivinglab/
About Tokyo Food Institute
Tokyo Food Institute (“TFI”) is a general incorporated association. TFI is dedicated to creating the future of food in Tokyo by supporting new food-related businesses, fostering human resources, and building a food ecosystem that fosters co-creation among various players in Japan and abroad.
TFI promotes the following activities:
- Provide learning opportunities for those involved in the food industry and nurture those interested in the field of food and the leaders of the next generation.
- Create a place where diverse people interested in food can gather, exchange opinions in a casual yet serious manner, and create value based on trust.
- Implementing the new values that have been created by connecting diverse people to the city, the entire Yaesu-Nihonbashi/Kyobashi area will become a living laboratory, a place where the future of food can be continuously updated.
- Disseminate various initiatives that will lead to the future of food both domestically and internationally.
Official website – https://tokyofoodinstitute.jp/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tokyofoodinstitute/
TOKYO FOOD LAB – https://www.tokyofoodlab.jp/
About Tokyo Tatemono
Tokyo Tatemono is Japan’s first comprehensive real estate company, founded in 1896. The company’s long-term vision, targeting around 2030, is to evolve into a next-generation developer that can achieve both “solutions to social issues” and “growth as a company” at a higher level. We are working on “community development that contributes to the resolution of social issues” as our key strategy. In order to realize this strategy, we are focusing on:
(1) interaction with diverse people and businesses and fostering rich communities,
(2) respect for local history and culture,
(3) realization of a sustainable society, and
(4) collaboration with diverse partners and utilization of advanced technology, while keeping the resolution of social issues as our central theme.
In the Yaesu, Nihonbashi, and Kyobashi areas, we have established and operate “Kitchen Studio SUIBA,” a kitchen space that encourages communication and liveliness through food, and “TOKYO FOOD LAB,” a place for demonstration experiments and social implementation to solve social issues related to food.