Japanese Rice

February 2019. A new Guinness World Record was set in Japan for the “Largest Sustainable Food Lesson." In this event, a lecture was held about sustainable food that has less environmental burden. The objective was to promote understanding on how rice and a circular system from production to consumption can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, goals that lay out specific actions that would protect the environment and ensure sustainable economic development.
In Japan, rice-related industries such as agricultural producers and distributors, as well as consumers are cooperating to achieve SDGs. For example, a rice mill manufacturer has developed a technology that mills rice which doesn’t need washing to cook. Restaurants and food chains using this type of rice save water remarkably. Also, rice producers reuse the rice bran that comes off after milling as fertilizer and feed. This program focuses on such efforts to contribute to a more circular and sustainable society.