Exciting Winners of Kewpie's Freedom Research Announced and Released!

Kewpie's Freedom Research Winners Announced!

Kewpie Corporation, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, is proud to announce the winners of the "Kewpie Freedom Research" competition. From July 7 to August 31, 2025, elementary students submitted their unique and curious food-related research projects. The award-winning entries will be showcased on Kewpie's official website within the food education content, "Food Life Academy," starting September 30, 2025.

Unique Mashed Ideas Sparked by Curiosity

This year's competition featured fourteen imaginative projects that highlighted students' curiosity about food. Among the noteworthy entries are:

Curiosity Award - Tomotaka's Project: "My Investigation and Experiment with Egg Allergy"

Tomotaka has an egg allergy, which prevents him from both touching and consuming eggs. Driven by curiosity, he embarked on an adventurous journey to explore eggs while being fully protected. With the support of his family, he conducted experiments, unveiling the mysterious world of eggs that he had always been curious about but had to avoid.

Exploration Award - Rie’s Project: "Why is Orange Juice So Expensive?"

Rie noticed the high prices of orange juice in supermarkets and questioned why fresh oranges, bursting with juice, resulted in such costly beverages. She rolled up her sleeves and dove into an in-depth analysis, examining factors like production costs and market demand to understand the pricing behind her favorite drink.

Social Award - Juli’s Project: "All About Rice - The World's Rice & Emergency Rice"

Juli developed a keen interest in rice after learning about it last year. She meticulously investigated different rice varieties, their shapes, flavors, and aromas, even trying her hand at cooking various dishes. Juli also looked into the concept of "emergency rice," demonstrating her awareness of current social issues within her research.

Trends Among Award-Winning Projects

The award-winning projects displayed two notable trends this year:
1. Many submissions began with simple questions rooted in students' everyday lives. Young thinkers made inquiries about their meals and conducted experiments, showcasing fresh perspectives on regular eating habits.

2. The other trend revealed an insightful understanding of societal movements and current events, tying their research to larger themes like environmental and food security issues, alongside local history and culture. Such work reflects a growing consciousness among students, highlighting their ability to connect personal experiences with broader societal questions.

Encouraging Future Generations

These inspiring projects remind us all of the significance of maintaining curiosity and questioning everyday occurrences. They serve as a motivation for Kewpie employees as well, sparking our own curiosity about food and related subjects.

As part of the "Kewpie Group 2030 Vision," Kewpie aims to be a supporter of children's smiles, fostering their interest in food and encouraging the growth of essential life skills through initiatives like the Freedom Research and food education activities. We are committed to supporting children's developmental journeys through creative exploration and learning.

For more information and to explore the fantastic award-winning projects, visit the Kewpie Food Academy: Kewpie Freedom Research.