Purpose

The aging population (aged 65 and older) in developed countries, including Japan, is increasing every year, and as of 2020, Japan has the world's highest rate with over 28% of its total population. In addition, the large gap between the average lifespan and healthy lifespan is also a significant problem in Japan.

In addition to the above social conditions, it is anticipated that the risk of health problems, including lifestyle diseases, will increase in the future due to factors such as the stress and lack of exercise that occurred due to COVID-19.

While it is extremely important to provide better solutions through medical care for these social issues, it is also important to offer solutions that do not rely solely on medical care.

It is therefore hoped that a social system based on scientific evidence can be proposed to individuals in the country to review their overall lifestyle habits, including exercise, sleep, and diet, before they become ill.

In Japan, functional foods have been actively developed and research has been conducted to clarify their functionality. "Functional bento boxes" that combine these agricultural products and foods have been developed ahead of the rest of the world.

Against the backdrop of social trends surrounding food mentioned earlier and the Japanese government's science and technology policies, a consortium led by the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) is currently promoting the research project "Contribution to the Extension of Healthy Life Expectancy through the Establishment of a Health System Based on Food," one of the Technologies for Smart Bio-industry and Agriculture under the Second Phase (2018-2022) of the Cabinet Office's Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP).

NARO and Shimadzu Corporation have decided to establish an NPO consisting of food and beverage companies who share the same goal of achieving a society of healthy longevity through food. The organization aims to provide a scientific basis for individual health improvement, as well as promote Japan's agriculture, forestry, and fishery-related industries and in order to implement the results of the abovementioned research project.

April 1, 2022
Self-Care Food Council