Osaka Kansai Expo showcases export ready plant based Japanese food

Fuji Oil, in collaboration with three food start-ups, will unveil a new form of Japanese cuisine at the Expo 2025 Osaka on 31 August. The one-day event will showcase traditional dishes made with the company’s plant-based technology, MIRACORE®, designed to overcome long-standing international export barriers.

For years, Japanese food producers have faced significant challenges in exporting products containing animal-based stocks and extracts, which are subject to strict regulations in many countries. These restrictions have often forced manufacturers to alter authentic recipes or abandon export plans altogether, limiting the global reach of traditional Japanese food and its ability to cater to vegan and specific religious diets.

On the other hand, Fuji Oil’s MIRACORE® technology uses plant-based ingredients to replicate the rich flavour and “satisfaction” typically associated with animal-derived products. This innovation allows for the creation of Japanese dishes that maintain their authentic taste while being free from the ingredients that cause export complications.

The collaboration brings together Fuji Oil’s technology with the expertise of three start-ups: MISOVATION Inc., NINZIA Inc., and vitom Inc. Together, they have developed a special food course featuring udon, miso soup, and bento that offers both “a taste that transcends convention” and “a form that can be delivered to the world.” The exclusive tasting event, titled “Crossing the Boundaries of Common Sense: Start-ups Changing ‘Food’ and the Future,” will take place at the expo’s ORA Food Pavilion “UTAGE.”