[Event Report] Osaka Public University × Nagaoka University of Technology J-PEAKS Joint Event “Cooking / TAKU”

On Wednesday, June 17, 2026, the J-PEAKS joint event “TAKU” was held at Osaka Public University’s I-site Namba, co-hosted by Nagaoka University of Technology and Osaka Public University.

This event is part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s “Project to Strengthen Regional Core and Distinctive Research Universities (J-PEAKS).” It aims to strengthen collaboration between the two universities and “rethink the value of rice through fermented food culture, leading to the development of new industries.” The “TAKU Project” has been held four times to date, primarily in the Kanto region, but this marks its first event in the Kansai region.
　Under the theme “Nagaoka’s Traditions (Rice and Fermentation) × Osaka’s Sophistication (Dashi and Food Culture),” this event aimed to create a new food culture that transcends regional boundaries. This event brought together corporate representatives, researchers, and stakeholders from Nagaoka and Osaka across a wide range of fields, including agriculture, fermentation, manufacturing, media, tourism, and international expansion.

■Part 1: Nagaoka and Osaka—A Relay Discussion with 20 Participants
　Professor Wataru Ogasawara of Nagaoka University of Technology and Professor Shuji Yokoi of Osaka Metropolitan University served as moderators, and the 20 participants introduced themselves and took part in a relay-style discussion. University representatives presented their latest research, while corporate representatives introduced their businesses, and multifaceted insights on fermentation, dashi, and food culture were shared in a relay-style format. Many participants could be seen listening intently while taking diligent notes.

■Part 2: “Cooking” Workshop
　We held a workshop titled ”The Science and Technology of Cooking Delicious Rice,” featuring Junichi Shirai of the “rice-cooking” food unit “Gohan Alliance” as the instructor. The workshop explored the depth of the everyday act of “cooking rice” from a scientific perspective, and participants deepened their understanding of the techniques while observing a live rice-cooking demonstration up close.

■Summary and Future Outlook
　The TAKU PJ, which was held over four sessions in Tokyo and Nagaoka during fiscal year 2025, is a project where “people meet, gather, and work together…”
It has served as a hub for “connecting people.” The event scheduled for early fiscal year 2026 will be a joint
The event served as a concrete example of further interregional collaboration, linking Nagaoka’s “fermentation and rice” with Osaka’s “dashi and tradition.”
It was a step that paved the way for the next phase.
Based on the concept of “eating from the same pot,” we combine hands-on experiences with dialogue to bring together people from different fields and backgrounds—
Essential communication that transcended organizational boundaries emerged naturally. Participants returned to their respective workplaces
It was an incredibly energizing and meaningful experience that left us focused on the next steps to take home with us.
Moving forward, as a space that connects people with one another and brings together ideas and action, we will further enhance the content and quality of TAKU PJ, and continue to...
We will strive to achieve this outcome.