#Japan #Tokyo #Cold Chain #Hitachi #MiWAKERU®

MiWAKERU® Temperature Management Service Receives Special Honor

In a significant achievement for agricultural exports, the collaborative project involving Hitachi Ltd, Hitachi High-Tech Nexus, and Hitachi Solutions has been awarded the Special Award by the Japan Industrial Technology Awards for their innovative temperature management service, MiWAKERU®. The award ceremony took place on April 2, 2025, at the Keidanren Kaikan, acknowledging the service's impact on improving cold chain logistics for agricultural and marine products.

Background of MiWAKERU®

As the demand for Japanese agricultural products continues to grow across the globe, maintaining freshness throughout the supply chain has become increasingly crucial. The MiWAKERU® service uses advanced temperature-detecting inks and QR code labels to monitor temperatures in real-time, ensuring that produce remains within safe temperature ranges from farm to consumer. The service aims to combat food waste, reduce plastic waste, and lower CO2 emissions—all vital in today’s climate-conscious market.

Hitachi began developing this technology in 2016, starting with temperature-detecting inks. By 2021, they had advanced to creating temperature-detecting labels and an application for smartphones to read these labels. Starting in 2024, Hitachi High-Tech Nexus will officially launch this service to the public.

Key Features of MiWAKERU®

1. End-to-End Temperature Monitoring: The MiWAKERU® QR code labels are adhered to target products for continuous temperature detection. This ensures that suppliers can monitor freshness without any lapses.

2. Quality Assurance for Transportation: By accurately detecting the temperature of the goods, the service provides a comprehensive view of transportation quality, reducing the risk of spoilage due to improper cooling. This capability allows businesses to optimize the amount of cooling agents used, enhancing the overall value of transported goods.

3. Reduction in Transport Costs and Environmental Impact: With the ability to maintain optimal transportation quality, MiWAKERU® significantly contributes to minimizing food waste. Furthermore, it optimizes the placement and amount of cooling materials needed, thus lowering transportation costs and reducing the quantity of cooling materials discarded upon arrival.

In an era where environmental considerations are paramount, MiWAKERU® aligns with the growing trend of sustainable practices within the food distribution sector. As cold chain logistics are refined through innovation and technological advancement, MiWAKERU® stands at the forefront, championing a future of reduced waste and enhanced quality.

The Future of MiWAKERU®

Looking ahead, Hitachi and its partners intend to broaden the reach of the MiWAKERU® service. By integrating it into more extensive agricultural logistics frameworks, they hope to further streamline processes and ensure that consumers receive only the freshest products. This commitment to quality and sustainability not only meets current market demands but also sets a new standard for temperature management in agricultural exports.

For more information about the MiWAKERU® temperature management service, visit Hitachi High-Tech's Official Page or contact the Industrial Solutions Division.

The Japan Industrial Technology Awards were established in 1972 to honor innovative advancements within industrial technology. MiWAKERU® being recognized highlights the essential role that temperature management plays in modern agricultural practices, providing a roadmap for corporations to align with sustainability goals while ensuring product integrity throughout the supply chain.