Food waste reduction winners at 14th Mottainai Awards

Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in partnership with the Organisation for Sustainable Food Supply, have announced the winners of the 14th Food Industry Mottainai Award. This national award scheme recognises food sector businesses, educational institutions, and civic groups that demonstrate measurable success in waste reduction, resource recovery, and energy efficiency.

The highest honour, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award, went to Jabarise Kitayama Co., Ltd. for its regional initiative upcycling discarded citrus fruit peel into economic resources. Jabarise Kitayama is based in Kitayama Village, Wakayama Prefecture, and has earned top honours by addressing waste generated during the processing of “Jabara,” a local speciality citrus fruit. After juice extraction, large quantities of citrus peel were historically discarded. The company developed processing methods to repurpose the remaining peel into new food products and raw materials, effectively converting agricultural waste into a local economic asset and establishing a circular supply chain within the village.

Three organisations received the Director-General of the Minister’s Secretariat Award. NPO Deep People, which is based in Osaka, was awarded for Tabenokoshi NO Game, an educational board game originally created by a primary school pupil to raise awareness about food waste among children. Major convenience store chain FamilyMart was recognised for introducing a subtle 20-millimetre teary-eyed character design on its packaging, nudging consumers to select items closer to their expiration date and reduce retail food loss. CiPPo was commended for Wakeatte, an outdoor smart unmanned locker system designed to sell surplus or discounted food items directly to local residents.

Two additional initiatives received the Examination Committee Chairman Award. LogStyle Create Office Co., Ltd. in Oita City was recognised for creating a regional circular food model that turns unused chive resources into high-value food items. Kumamoto Prefectural Yatsushiro Agricultural High School Izumi Branch was awarded for a student-led project that integrates wild game (gibier) processing with forest conservation, establishing a localised resource loop.

The formal commendation ceremony and presentation of case studies will take place on 29 October at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries main building in Tokyo. The award winners will also feature at the 10th National Food Loss Reduction Conference held in Nasushiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture, on 30 October.