Based on an industry-government-academia agreement concluded between Minamiaso Village, the Kumamoto Livestock Association, and the Graduate School of Media Design at Keio University, Kumamoto Prefecture promotes activities to support the akaushi (Japanese red cattle) livestock industry, which accounts for approximately 90% of the total production in Japan. Specifically, in response to the ongoing decline in cattle numbers, a system was established that encompasses all stages from production to sales which can return profits to producers. Through this, shipments of beef under the product label “Ethical Wagyu, Kumamoto Akaushi” have begun. Also, in collaboration with local universities, the project is looking into the involvement of both urban and rural areas to engage in solving specific issues via "the symbiosis of the environment, local communities, and industry," focusing on livestock. This includes possible solutions such as methane gas reduction through cattle burping.
Applicable regions
Minamiaso Village, Kumamoto Prefecture
Implementation period
July 14, 2022 - present
Community and Regional Affairs category
Regional collaboration as research targets and implementation sites/research that aims to popularize region-specific issues
Social collaboration through advanced research
Education of students/human resource development for the next generation
Two-way recycling-oriented collaboration with local communities and societies
Environmental initiatives
Collaboration and cooperation with alumni and alumni associations
Related websites
Related agreements, etc.
A partnership intended to create industries which cater to “ethical consumption” in considering people, the environment and society, through support for the “Kumamoto Akaushi Beef” industry, which has coexisted in harmony with the grasslands located in Minamiaso Village
Cooperating institutions, etc.
Higo Bank, Tokai University Kyushu Campus
Campus
Hiyoshi
Person in charge
Graduate School of Media Design researchers Takashi Ooe and Sei Kishinami
Inquiries
toe@kmd.keio.ac.jp
sei.kishinami@kmd.keio.ac.jp