OSI and Japan Travel collaborate for sustainable science-based tours

Japan Travel KK has announced its partnership with Objectif Sciences International (OSI), which has Special Consultative Status to Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC). This partnership will bring Japan-based, sustainable science tours to Japan, aimed at scientist citizens, beginning from Ibaraki Prefecture.

The main objective of the OSI and Japan Travel partnership is to develop OSI projects in Japan. They will develop an Ibaraki-based Nutrico Project, and future tours will offer citizen scientists insights into Ibaraki’s capabilities as a major agricultural producer.

The project will have a structure focusing on involving and supporting the local community. There is also an emphasis on the role of women in science, and the promotion of maintaining traditional methods and foods.

Historically, Ibaraki prefecture is a traditional food producer with vast expertise in food processing and fermentation. Furthermore, its proximity to Tokyo allows easy access for tourists and citizens from there.

There are plans to arrange a series of on-site and remote educational science camps. Participants will be able to learn real scientific techniques and analysis using advanced equipment, including a deep-dive exploration of natural food systems. OSI will offer a broad range of scientific disciplines covering the “farm-to-plate” ecosystem.

Japan Travel KK will be OSI’s exclusive Japan-based agent, facilitating science travels in and out of Japan. To ensure qualification, it will be sending its staff to OSI to get qualified in OSI methodology, so they will have a license to lead the tours.

Their first tours will be scheduled for 2024 for Ibaraki, with a goal to offer more science-based tours about sustainable and traditional Japanese agriculture and food processing all over Japan in the future. Japan Travel will also promote existing OSI tours to other countries, including France and Costa Rica.