#Japan #Tokyo #Impact Startup Association #Grino #Red Yellow And Green

Red Yellow And Green Joins the Impact Startup Association

Red Yellow And Green, headquartered in Tokyo, has made significant strides in transforming the food industry, emphasizing sustainable meal solutions through its innovative Grino platform. With a focus on plant-based and environmentally friendly food service solutions, the company has now officially become a full member of the Impact Startup Association (ISA) as of December 18, 2025. This membership aims to help tackle pressing challenges in the hospitality and tourism sector, such as labor shortages and the increasingly diverse dietary needs of consumers.

Background: A Triple Challenge in the Food Industry

The number of inbound tourists to Japan is expected to reach 60 million by 2030. Consequently, accommodating dietary diversity—ranging from vegan to halal—is no longer an optional service but a vital necessity. However, the hospitality sector is facing a significant labor shortage, with an estimated 890,000 missing workers by 2024. This scenario has led to a precarious situation characterized by three interconnected issues:
1. Labor Struggles: A chronic workforce shortage coupled with rising wages.
2. Operational Challenges: Variance in quality reliant on staff skill levels.
3. Demand Issues: Difficulty managing complex dietary restrictions for a growing influx of tourists.

Grino's Solution: Zero Load on Operations

Seeking a resolution to these intertwined challenges, Red Yellow And Green emphasizes a systematic and technological approach rather than relying solely on the hard work of staff. Grino offers solutions aimed at reducing kitchen labor substantially—up to 80% less time spent on food preparation. The service provides a one-stop solution, managing everything from recipe development to cooking and freezing, allowing kitchen staff to focus solely on reheating and plating high-quality meals developed under expert chef supervision.

Furthermore, thanks to a decentralized network of production facilities, Grino can meet diverse dietary needs effectively. The company maintains a database of complex manufacturing requirements such as halal, vegan, small batch, and specialized ingredients, enabling instantaneous matching with the most suitable facilities nationwide.

Environmental Impact and Economic Rationality

Implementing Grino goes beyond merely diversifying menus. By prioritizing plant-based ingredients, it can achieve up to a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional animal-based menus, equating to a decrease of approximately 7.78 kg CO₂e per meal. This contribution is documented with quantitative data, directly facilitating companies' efforts to reduce Scope 3 emissions (supply chain emissions).

The rationale for adopting Grino's services revolves around economic sustainability, implying that the benefits from reducing labor costs and enhancing corporate value through decarbonization can be achieved simultaneously. This economic efficiency is believed to be a crucial element in normalizing sustainable meals within society.

Achievements and External Recognition

Grino is rapidly gaining traction in the food service industry, especially among significant hotel chains and established restaurant businesses facing labor shortages and inbound tourism challenges. It has garnered numerous formal orders and is transitioning quickly into the implementation phase, evidencing its dual potential to enhance operational capacities while fostering environmental values.

Red Yellow And Green has received multifaceted accolades from various entities, including government bodies and media. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries recognized the company as part of its Food Tech Business Demonstration Project, highlighting its innovative models for improving industry productivity and sustainability. Furthermore, Grino has been selected as one of the companies shaping the future markets in the Nikkei Cross Trend list for 2026.

In addition, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's TOKYO Co-cial IMPACT Acceleration Program is backing Grino as a startup striving for social impact and economic returns. The company has also achieved notable rankings at major competitions, highlighting its collaborative potential with large enterprises.

Leadership Insight

Yuu Hosoi, CEO of Red Yellow And Green, emphasizes, "A mere call to action for changing eating habits for the environment will only resonate with a handful of individuals. The challenges of dietary diversity and decarbonization will not progress if the operational burdens increase.
Grino provides a pragmatic solution that aligns deliciousness with economic efficiency, creating a sustainable structure that can be easily adopted by the industry. Through our participation in the ISA, we aim to collaborate with like-minded entities and expand our impact not just across Japan, but globally."

About the Impact Startup Association (ISA)

Founded to construct an ecosystem for impact startups aiming at resolving social issues while pursuing sustainable growth, ISA collaborates with public entities and private enterprises to create environments conducive for startups to thrive and deliver positive impact. More information can be found at ISA's official website.