On Friday, November 4, 2022, an event will be held at the University of Tokyo Komaba Campus under the theme of “plant-based x lab-grown meat.”
This event will be hosted by a Vege Project intern from the University of Tokyo in collaboration with the members of UTokyo Sustainable Network Plant-Based Food Project.
※ All will be done in Japanese.
As concerns for food security, climate change, and our health continue to grow globally, alternatives to conventional meat such as soy meat and lab-grown meat have begun to attract public attention in recent decades.
At this event, Professor Shoji Takeuchi, a leading researcher in the field of edible cultured meat, and Haruko Kawano, the founder of Vege Project Japan, will join us as guest speakers to discuss the future of meat consumption and its relationship to sustainability. A discussion session between the two guest speakers and the student hosts will also be held.
To help introduce and familiarize our participants with current vegan options available in Japan, vegan souvenirs and a vegan menu coupon that can be used at the UTokyo’s cafeteria will be gifted to all that join us at this event.
[Event content]
Presentation by guest speakers
- Introduction to lab-grown meat and its current development in Japan and around the world, the potentials of cultured meat, background of his research (Dr. Shoji Takeuchi, Professor of the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Department of Mechano-Informatics, University of Tokyo and Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), University of Tokyo)
- Introduction to veganism and the plant-based lifestyle, the current situation in Japan and around the world surrounding the topic, and the reason behind the rise of various diets and lifestyles (Haruko Kawano, NPO Vege Project Japan Founder and President)
Discussion session (between the speakers and student hosts)
- Possible discussion topics
- Challenges and obstacles the guest speakers face through their research or activism
- Plant-based meat? Cultured meat? The pros and cons of each option
- etc.
[Speaker Profiles]
Professor of the Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Department of Mechano-Informatics, University of Tokyo and Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), University of Tokyo
As the head professor of the University of Tokyo Biohybrid System Laboratory, one of Professor Takeuch’s research interests is the application of tissue engineering, specifically the development of lab-grown meat through the extraction of cells from a living animal.
NPO Vege Project Japan Founder and President
When she was a student at Kyoto University, she founded VegeProject in aims to introduce a vegan option to the university cafeteria. This year, she also helped bring in vegan options to the University of Tokyo cafeteria. She has been active as a vegan consultant for universities and companies, and has collaborated with numerous national and local businesses as a vegan specialist. She has also contributed to the creation of Japan’s most used vegan certification label and the “vege map,” which is a tool for vegans and vegetarians to locate restaurants and stores that offer plant-based options.
If you are interested in sustainable lifestyles, diets, cutting-edge science and technology, don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the future possibilities of various meat alternatives!
*Registration required. See below for details.
[Event details]
Date: Friday, November 4, 2022, 19:00-20:30
*Doors open at 18:45. Please come on time to ensure a smooth entrance.
Location: Lecture Hall 900, The University of Tokyo Komaba campus
Target audience: Open to the public
Capacity: 200 (first-come-first-served basis)
Participation fee: Free
Language: Japanese
How to apply for the event:
①If you don’t have a Peatix account : Please use this form to apply. After completing the application, please check the email sent to your registered email address.
②If you have a Peatix account: Please apply from the 「Entrance ticket」on this page. We will confirm the ticket on the day of the event.
For more info (written in Japanese): https://vegetime.net/tokyo_univ_event_2022/
Peatix page (written in Japanese): https://peatix.com/event/3382414/view
Inquiries: pbfood.utokyo.susnet@gmail.com
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We, VegeProject Japan has been working for next generations to know about our food and how to connect it with our society and the future. As for the lectures we had at universities last July, please read this report.