Foundation Initiatives
Foundation Initiatives
Six social contribution foundations associated with the Ajinomoto Group operate in five countries: Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, and Peru. Each of these foundations promotes local support activities rooted in the culture, daily customs, and community needs of their respective countries.
Field of activities
"Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture" (Established in Japan in 1989)
Main activities
- Operates the Dietary Culture Library, a library specializing in food
- Plans and runs food culture forums
- Holds public symposiums and public lectures
- Publishes and distributes Vesta®, a magazine on food culture, and other materials
- Collects information, and exhibits material related to food culture
The Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture aims to contribute toward enriching food culture through the academic research of food, and circulation of the findings to society. It primarily conducts two activities. Study cooperation aids research on food culture through forums on the topic, interdisciplinary studies and discussions, and operation of the Dietary Culture Library, which specializes in food. Education facilitates a deeper understanding on food culture through the publication of the magazine Vesta®, public symposiums and public lectures, and food culture related exhibitions.
Issues 78 through 81 of Vesta® were published in fiscal 2010. The cover story of the 81st issue, entitled "Everyone's Breakfast," featured a project exploring breakfast eating habits in Japan and was well-received by readers. Also in fiscal 2010, the exhibition "Parody and Food in Japanese Nishik-e" was held at the Food Culture Exhibition space in the Dietary Culture Library. It displayed humorous themes in Nishiki-e produced during Japan's Edo era together with food culture of the era. The exhibition was held for two months and attracted about 1,600 visitors.
A color woodblock print portraying a man who sells cold water on display
Public symposiums on food culture
2010 Food Culture Symposium, "The Study of Medicine and Food as Common Sources of a Healthy Mind and Body"
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The panel discussion for "The Study of Medicine and Food as Common Sources of a Healthy Mind and Body" symposium
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The keynote lecture was given by Shoichiro Tsugane, chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Division of the National Cancer Center's Research Center for Cancer Prevention and Screening
The Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture holds a symposium annually in autumn to provide opportunities for the general public to participate in discussions on food culture. Held on November 6 in 2010, the symposium was attended by about 250 people. It provided a venue for participants to consider the basis of health, the concept that medicine and food are common sources of health, and share views on the importance of both food and the mind for staying healthy. Question-and-answer sessions after the lectures helped deepen participants' understanding on the topics.
Food Culture—A Comparison of Diets Based on Rice and Fish and Diets Based on Grains and Milk
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A poster of the symposium
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Professor Masatoshi Takada from the School of Sociology at Bukkyo University gave the keynote lecture
On November 27, 2010, the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture and the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature jointly held a symposium related to an exhibit at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo about the importance of genetic diversity in rice paddies for the future of rice in Japan. About 260 people attended the event.
The symposium provided opportunities to reconsider what kinds of foods should be consumed, how it is done, and our dietary lifestyles in the future in consideration of the collective wisdom regarding food as well as its culture and history.
By holding such public symposiums, the Ajinomoto Foundation for Dietary Culture will continue to work toward promoting education on food culture going forward.
"Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation" (Established in Japan in 2005; forerunner Suzuki Scholarship Foundation established in 1957)
Main activities
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Scholarship recipients from ASEAN countries at the awards ceremony in fiscal 2010
Audience listening to a speech by an international student studying in Japan
- Educational support
- Awards scholarships to international students from ASEAN countries to study in Japan
- Grants scholarship loans
The Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation commenced a program in April 2010 offering scholarships to international students from ASEAN countries to conduct research in a master's course and study for a master's degree at the University of Tokyo. Scholarships were awarded to six students from five countries in the ASEAN region: Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. The program offers a system where scholarships can be awarded to recipients before they come to Japan, which is highly requested by international students.
As part of the social contribution activities of the Ajinomoto Group in the ASEAN region, which are regarded as the most important area for the group's overseas business expansion, the scholarship program aims to develop future leaders who can work at the global level. Therefore, the Ajinomoto Scholarship Foundation plans to offer scholarships annually to five or six students from the aforementioned five ASEAN countries, providing full support for three years covering one year as a research student and two years as a master's student.
"AJINOMOTO FOUNDATION" (Established in Thailand in 1976)
Main activities
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A canteen donated by the project celebrating the 50th year of Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd.
Employees who helped repair schools and temples that sustained flood damage
- Commenced a project that constructs canteens at 50 schools to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd.
- Provides support for students studying dietetics and food chemistry
- Offers assistance for the construction of educational facilities to schools
- Provides support for scientific research
- Provides support for natural disaster relief in Thailand and engages in activities for charity
Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd. celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010 and launched a project to construct canteens at 50 schools by 2014. For educational support, the AJINOMOTO FOUNDATION in Thailand assists 3rd and 4th year university students who major in dietetics and food chemistry, and has provided scholarships for the children of Ajinomoto Co., (Thailand) Ltd. staff with outstanding academic records for 22 consecutive years. The foundation also supports the construction of educational facilities in remote areas, scientific research, school building construction for needy schools, and disaster relief efforts in Thailand.
In addition, the foundation is assisting the construction of three Public Health Centers in remote areas in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand. It also supports disaster relief efforts in Thailand.
YAYASAN AJI DHARMA BHAKTI (Established in Indonesia in 1979)
Main activities
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Scholarships being awarded to students of Universitas Negeri Jakarta (University of Jakarta)
Offering nutritional aid for children residing near the Ajinomoto Mojokerto Factory
- Provides school meals with improved nutritional value
- Provides support for university students and vocational high schools
- Provides support for research
- Provides relief for victims of natural disasters in Indonesia
- Provides support for public charities
YAYASAN AJI DHARMA BHAKTI Foundation grants scholarships for students of vocational high schools in five cities in Indonesia. The foundation also provides food products with improved nutritional value for children who live in the neighborhood of the Mojokerto Factory of PT Ajinomoto Indonesia.
"INSTITUTO AJINOMOTO" (Established in Brazil in 1999)
Main activities
Limeira Region—Provided financial support to a damaged school building located in a rural area
Pederneiras Region—Provided a computer room at the complementary educational Center
- Provides nutrition seminars
- Provides support for schools and community NGOs
- Provides support for students studying dietetics and food chemistry
- Provides support for disaster relief
The INSTITUTO AJINOMOTO is dedicated to implementing projects in local communities and conducted various health, education and nutrition activities in 2010.
Nutrition education programs
Lectures, games and cooking classes are held to promote healthy eating habits for children aged six to ten. Three public elementary schools in São Paulo participated in the program in 2010.
Medical equipment donated to Valparaíso Municipal Health Center
Essential equipment was provided for the Clinical Analysis Laboratory of the Valparaíso Municipal Health Center.
Students support programs
Scholarships are granted to encourage research for students who major in dietetics and food chemistry.
Disaster relief
- In May 2010, 140 boxes of VONO® instant soup were donated for the victims of a flood in Rio de Janeiro state, where 1 million people were left unsheltered.
- In August 2010, 150 boxes of VONO® instant soup were donated for the victims of a flood in Alagoas where a hundred thousand people were left unsheltered.
"FUNDACIÓN AJINOMOTO PARA EL DESARROLLO DE LA COMUNIDAD" (Established in Peru in 2003)
Main activities
- Holds workshops on health and nutrition
- Holds international symposiums on umami
- Supports students studying dietetics
- Promotes and supports social welfare activities
Since its founding in 2003, The FUNDACIÓN AJINOMOTO PARA EL DESARROLLO DE LA COMUNIDAD has held various activities to promote the sustainable development and well-being of communities.
Major activities include talks on health, nutrition and hygiene. To date, these are the most important regular events in terms of frequency and attendance. 180 talks were held in 2010 with a total of 5,029 attendees.
In addition, the VII International Symposium was held in Guayaquil, Ecuador, in August 2010. Titled "Glutamate: An Indispensable Non-essential Amino Acid," the symposium focused on the importance of glutamate for human life, and was attended by professionals from the health and food industries as well as students.
The Ajinomoto Foundation Award was established in 2010. The theme of the first award was "Glutamate and its Importance in Nutrition." The winner and the winner's tutor received commemorative gifts.
The first Ajinomoto Foundation Award under the theme of "Glutamate and its Importance on Nutrition"
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Participants in the talks on health, nutrition and hygiene
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VII International Symposium "Glutamate: An Indispensable Non-essential Amino Acid"
