New Vision: “Food Diversity Supported by the Power of Insects”

What This New Vision Aims For
1. Diversity of Choices
We will expand the use of insects beyond direct consumption as food ingredients to include indirect uses such as feed for livestock and aquaculture, and fertilizers derived from production byproducts. By steadily accumulating scientific knowledge on the safety, functionality, and social acceptance of insect utilization, we aim to enrich the diversity of food choices.

2. Creation of Diverse Values
Rather than viewing insects solely as a “protein source,” we position them as resources with unique functional properties and cultural value. While respecting and inheriting traditional knowledge of insect use rooted in variety of cultures around the world, we will apply this knowledge to modern and future human diets and health.

3. Sustainable Resource Circulation
Instead of merely increasing food production, we aim to build a circular food production system that leverages the power of insects to effectively utilize underused resources, thereby pursuing food systems in harmony with the environment.

Clarifying the Vision
Since the launch of the project in December 2020, we have upheld the vision of “Zero Hunger.” As the project enters its second phase, we are redefining this vision as “food diversity supported by the power of insects” to clearly articulate how we will contribute toward this goal.
Food issues are influenced not only by production volume but also by interconnected factors such as climate change, distribution systems, food loss, and consumer awareness and behavior. Within this context, we believe our contribution lies in scientifically elucidating the capabilities of insects—such as mechanisms that convert underutilized resources into valuable ones—and thereby introducing new options into food production.

Research Activities on Insects to Date
This project is supported by advances in science and technology. One research field focusing on insects is “applied entomology,” which has developed along the lineages of apiculture (use of honeybees), sericulture (use of silkworms), and pest science (plant protection and public health).
On the other hand, the use of insects as food, feed, and medicinal resources has not yet been fully systematized as a unified research field. One reason is that in many regions that have led modern academia, the cultural practice of consuming insects has declined. Nevertheless, valuable information has been accumulated, including records of edible and medicinal insects worldwide and studies on their connections with local food cultures.
As a result, it has become clear that although insects hold great potential for human diet and health, the fundamental scientific knowledge—normally well established for other food sources—is still insufficient. While industries utilizing insects for food, feed, and medicinal purposes are expanding both domestically and internationally, building the scientific foundation to support this development remains a key challenge.
Our project builds upon the accumulated wisdom of earlier generations in insect utilization, while expanding this field through both research and social implementation. We are advancing research and development to harness the power of insects within future food production systems.

Future Directions
As a project that brings together experts from multiple disciplines—not limited to applied entomology—we will advance both research and social implementation in tandem, working toward a future in which everyone can enjoy food that aligns with their own values.