I have been appointed as the director of Institute of Food Research, NARO (NFRI). I would like to say few words.
NFRI has been reorganized as a research department of NARO in 2016. Since 1934, NFRI has been providing useful technologies to the food industry to produce a wide variety of safe food, appropriate scientific information on foods to the public, and evidence-based data to governmental sections on foods, by conducting a broad range of studies on foods from basic to applied aspects.
NARO has promoted research aiming to (1) "Improve food self-sufficiency and food security", (2) "Strengthen industrial competitiveness and expand exports of agricultural and food products" and (3) "Improve productivity while preserving the environment". NFRI sets three research regions; 1) food function, 2) food processing and biomaterials, and 3) food quality and safety. The research regions respectively develop 1) a system that finds out the disorder of dietary balance and proposes a well-balanced diet that suits the person, and a technology to measure the texture related to the preference and the reaction of the body during eating, 2) technologies for new foods that meet our diversified needs using plant protein, expansion of exports by extending food-storage term, and reduction of food loss by dried agricultural products, 3) analytical and inspection technologies that scientifically evaluate the quality and safety of agricultural and food products, and distribution and utilization technologies that will lead to the provision of agricultural and food products that meet market needs.
NFRI do our best for well-being of humans and growing food industries with research that will help to supply delicious and safe foods stably, while focusing on realization of the sustainable growth of the world. We cordially ask for your backing and cooperation.
TAKAHASHI Seiya
Director
Institute of Food Research, NARO