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Onisi Foods and University of Tokyo Collaboration

On December 14, 2025, a research presentation event was held at the Fukutake Hall of the University of Tokyo, organized by Onisi Foods Co., Ltd. and the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo. This event was part of an educational program focused on disaster preparedness, known as the "Onisi Foods x University of Tokyo Disaster Inquiry Academia." Over three months, 30 high school students divided into four teams conducted thorough investigations and research on various disaster-related themes, showcasing their findings at this academic-level presentation.

The event kicked off with participating students gathering at 10 AM for final adjustments ahead of their presentations, which began at 1 PM. Each team delivered an 8-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A session. Experts evaluated the presentations based on factors including clarity of questions and answers, organization of prior research, novelty of research methods, presentation charisma, coherence of analysis and conclusions, and overall academic and social originality.

The media coverage highlighted the outstanding nature of these presentations, often acknowledging that the level of research conducted was far beyond what is typically expected from high school students. During the Q&A, researchers from the University of Tokyo and representatives from Onisi Foods posed insightful queries, with students confidently explaining their projects.

Highlights from the Presentations

Best Presentation Award

Research Title: "Awareness Survey for Maintaining Health During Evacuation Shelters – Stockpiling Emergency Medications and Allergy Responses During Disasters"

• - The study focused on the critical but often overlooked issues of medication preparedness and allergy management during disaster evacuations. An extensive survey conducted among 282 high school students in the metropolitan area revealed significant insights regarding these vital aspects.

Excellence Award

Research Title: "How Do High School Students Use Smartphones During Disasters?"

• - This research explored the essential role of smartphones for students during emergencies and investigated how parental restrictions impacted their ability to confirm safety and gather information during crises. The study was based on a survey of 261 high school students in the metropolitan area.

Akamon Award (Other Two Teams)

• - One team's study estimated the number of people stranded in the Tokyo Dome during a disaster and compared it with the capacity of temporary shelters in Bunkyo District, offering insights for local disaster response plans.
• - Another team analyzed the influence of surrounding information and education on disaster awareness and actions among high school students. Their research suggested improvements for school-based disaster education programs based on an expanded survey across different age groups and regions.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation by Associate Professor Akinuma, representatives from Onisi Foods, and the media was based on several key factors:

• - Clarity in the relationship between the research questions and answers
• - Proper organization of existing studies and the positioning of research
• - Novelty and originality in research and verification methods
• - Overall presentation appeal
• - Clarity of arguments and expression
• - Coherence and significance of analysis and conclusions
• - Academic and journalistic novelty and originality

The evaluation particularly emphasized whether the research could stand as valuable for academic conferences and whether the proposals included were feasible for implementation in society.

Judges' Feedback

Associate Professor Hiroshi Akinuma remarked, "Given that this was our first time holding this event, I was curious about the outcome, but I was pleased to see several insightful findings that met the standards for originality and uniqueness in research. Many students explored issues that may not have been well-understood through typical training or media exposure. The focus on allergy management during disasters was particularly noteworthy, as it has often received less attention from disaster researchers. The impact of smartphone usage limitations on emergency information acquisition from a high school student perspective was another valuable insight, highlighting the generational gap in problem perception."

Future Developments

The successful teams will engage in further academic ventures, including:

• - Participation in an international disaster exchange on January 7.
• - Challenges in academic conferences related to disaster information studies.
• - Application for various competitions.
• - Support for refining research content.
• - Assistance in writing academic papers.

This program serves as a hands-on disaster education initiative aimed at empowering the next generation to engage actively in disaster preparedness efforts. Onisi Foods remains committed to not just providing emergency food supplies but also nurturing the awareness and engagement necessary for fostering a resilient disaster-aware society in the future.

For more information about Onisi Foods, visit their official website: Onisi Foods Website.