Japanese newspaper upcycles unused miso into scented paper and ink

To mark its 140th anniversary, media organisation The Chunichi Shimbun launched a special publication printed with upcycled miso materials on August 5. The media titled it the “Tsunagu Hakko Project” (Connecting Fermentation Project) to bring attention to the decline of traditional fermentation artisans across the Tokai region, which includes Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures.

The project features a limited four-page broadsheet publication crafted from repurposed food by-products. The physical medium is named “Hatcho Miso Paper”, and was co-developed by Okada Printing and long-established producer Maruya Hatcho Miso. It incorporates futamiso, the non-standard lid miso generated during commercial barrel aging that would otherwise be discarded. Complementing the paper is a specialised Miso Ink, developed alongside Tami Kougei and Nagase Screen Printing Laboratory. Raw ingredients supplied by Kakukyu Hatcho Miso form roughly 40 per cent of the ink composition, and even releases a distinct aroma when printed.

The partners implemented different printing techniques in order to produce the special issue. Tami Kougei executed silk-screen printing on the outer pages to handle the thick, aromatic ink, whilst Kyodo Printing managed offset printing for the internal pages. Chunichi Shimbun included a functional use, too, as the outer section features instructions for preparing rice miso at home, and lets readers repurpose the newspaper itself as a light-shielding cover for their fermentation jars.

Paper distribution began on 5 August, which is designated as Fermentation Day in Japan. 500 copies were distributed to the public at the Chunichi Building in Nagoya and Chubu Centrair International Airport. The company simultaneously ran a two-page feature in its main morning edition and launched a dedicated digital platform.

Over the next four months leading to Aichi Week in November 2026, the organisation plans to host regional culinary and experiential events to sustain community engagement.