#Japan #Nagoya #Food Waste #Kagome #Kyoritsu

Collaboration to Tackle Food Waste: Kagome and Kyoritsu Women's University

In a remarkable initiative, Kagome Co., Ltd., led by CEO Satoshi Yamaguchi, has joined forces with Kyoritsu Women's University and Kyoritsu Women's Junior College, headed by President Yuichi Sato, to combat food waste. This collaborative project, known as the "Let's Learn More and Reduce More: Effective Utilization of Tomatoes Project," aims to raise awareness and develop practical solutions to reduce food waste through educational activities.

The partnership was formalized with a signed agreement in March 2024 and will kick off the second phase of the project in 2024. The initiative involves 12 senior students from the Business School, guided by Professor Seiji Nozawa. These students will focus on innovative strategies to reduce food waste related to Kagome's operations. Last year, the project's inaugural phase addressed the effective utilization of off-spec tomatoes, which do not meet market standards, and students proposed various utilization methods to members of Kagome.

This year's project will revolve around developing a marketing strategy targeting university students for the "Hula Girl Tomato Juice," which is made from off-spec tomatoes produced at Kagome's Iwaki Onahama Garden. Students will use this product to create strategic proposals aimed at marketing to their peers. On April 16, the students engaged in their first orientation session, where they met representatives from the Iwaki Onahama Garden, receiving an overview of the "Hula Girl Tomato Juice" and its current challenges. Participants also had the opportunity to taste five different types of tomato juice, allowing them to understand product features and differentiation points.

One of the attendees expressed, "We started this project last year, contemplating how to effectively utilize off-spec tomatoes. As seniors, we aim to utilize what we have learned in practice and culminate our educational journey."

In the coming months, the project will include market research targeting Kyoritsu University students, leading up to the final presentations scheduled for July. The goal is to foster talent development while also raising awareness about the pressing issue of food waste.

Detailed Project Overview

• - Overview: This project will be implemented by 12 senior students from Kyoritsu Women's University's Business School's Nozawa Seminar, where they will create innovative marketing strategies for the "Hula Girl Tomato Juice" using off-spec tomatoes from Kagome's Iwaki Onahama Garden.
• - Timeline:

- April 16, 2025: Orientation
- Late May: Midterm presentation
- Mid-June: Quantitative research (survey)
- Mid-July: Final presentation

Details of the Partnership Agreement

• - Background: The collaboration agreement stemmed from Kyoritsu's commitment to environmental education concerning food waste and the aim to work together efficiently to address this social issue.
• - Cooperation Initiatives:

1. Education and academic research
2. Product development and related operations by Kagome
3. Exchange and development of talent
4. Other mutually recognized academic collaboration activities

About Kyoritsu Women's University

Kyoritsu Women's University and Kyoritsu Women's Junior College are situated in the historically rich area of Jinbocho, known as the best book town in Japan, overlooking the Imperial Palace. For over 130 years, the institutions have supported women's social advancement, embedding leadership development into all educational activities, thus cultivating skills that can contribute to a varied society.

About the Nozawa Seminar

The Nozawa Seminar at the Business School, led by Professor Seiji Nozawa, specializes in marketing and data analysis. The seminar focuses on solving undefined challenges faced by companies and society, empowering students to apply their leadership skills cultivated over the past two years. It aims to nurture professionals capable of collaboration and achieving results in various projects, including business contests and community engagement.

Kagome is dedicated to addressing social challenges through collaboration with stakeholders, promoting sustainable growth, and realizing a sustainable society.