14th 'Food Industry Mottainai Award' Call for Applications Begins!
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has announced the start of applications for the 14th 'Food Industry Mottainai Award.' This award recognizes and publicizes outstanding efforts in food loss reduction and food recycling, aiming to foster a sustainable food industry. The application deadline is June 15, 2026.
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〇 The 14th Food Industry Mottainai Award will start accepting applications from Friday, May 1, 2026!
〇 The application deadline is Monday, June 15, 2026.
〇 Eligible applicants include food-related businesses, students, individuals, etc., who are undertaking initiatives related to "mottainai" in food.
The "Food Industry Mottainai Award" is implemented with the aim of honoring companies, organizations, and individuals who have achieved remarkable results in food loss reduction, food recycling, etc., towards the sustainable development of the food industry, and widely publicizing their initiatives to the world.
### 1. About the Awards
(1) Types of Awards
* Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award (Food Industry Mottainai Award): 1 recipient
* Director-General for New Business and Food Industry, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award: Approximately 3 recipients
* Food Industry Mottainai Award Selection Committee Chair's Award: Approximately 2 recipients
(2) Award Ceremony
The award ceremony for the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award (Food Industry Mottainai Award) is scheduled to be held on Friday, October 30 of this year at the 10th National Food Loss Reduction Conference in Nasushiobara City.
The award ceremonies for the Director-General for New Business and Food Industry Award and the Food Industry Mottainai Award Selection Committee Chair's Award will be held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Location: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
### 2. About Applications
Applications will be judged from the perspectives of "food loss reduction and recycling," "energy saving and CO2 reduction," "waste reduction and recycling," and "education and dissemination."
(1) Eligible Applicants
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries businesses, food manufacturers, food wholesalers (intermediate wholesalers), food retailers, food service (prepared food) businesses, food importers/exporters, related businesses (electricity, facilities, equipment, containers and packaging, transportation), local governments, universities, vocational schools, high schools, etc., food banks, recycling businesses, individuals, etc.
(2) Application Method and Period
Please refer to the 14th Food Industry Mottainai Award (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Food System Organization (external link). The application period is until Monday, June 15.
### 3. Past Awards
Please refer to the following external links.
About the "Food Industry Mottainai Award" Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Food Industry Mottainai Award Recipient Interview YouTube (external link)
### Contact Information
New Business and Food Industry Department, Food Service and Food Culture Division, Food Loss and Recycling Countermeasures Office
Person in charge: Environmental Countermeasures Group
Main line: 03-3502-8111 (ext. 4319)
Direct line: 03-6744-2066
〇 The application deadline is Monday, June 15, 2026.
〇 Eligible applicants include food-related businesses, students, individuals, etc., who are undertaking initiatives related to "mottainai" in food.
The "Food Industry Mottainai Award" is implemented with the aim of honoring companies, organizations, and individuals who have achieved remarkable results in food loss reduction, food recycling, etc., towards the sustainable development of the food industry, and widely publicizing their initiatives to the world.
### 1. About the Awards
(1) Types of Awards
* Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award (Food Industry Mottainai Award): 1 recipient
* Director-General for New Business and Food Industry, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award: Approximately 3 recipients
* Food Industry Mottainai Award Selection Committee Chair's Award: Approximately 2 recipients
(2) Award Ceremony
The award ceremony for the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award (Food Industry Mottainai Award) is scheduled to be held on Friday, October 30 of this year at the 10th National Food Loss Reduction Conference in Nasushiobara City.
The award ceremonies for the Director-General for New Business and Food Industry Award and the Food Industry Mottainai Award Selection Committee Chair's Award will be held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Location: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
### 2. About Applications
Applications will be judged from the perspectives of "food loss reduction and recycling," "energy saving and CO2 reduction," "waste reduction and recycling," and "education and dissemination."
(1) Eligible Applicants
Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries businesses, food manufacturers, food wholesalers (intermediate wholesalers), food retailers, food service (prepared food) businesses, food importers/exporters, related businesses (electricity, facilities, equipment, containers and packaging, transportation), local governments, universities, vocational schools, high schools, etc., food banks, recycling businesses, individuals, etc.
(2) Application Method and Period
Please refer to the 14th Food Industry Mottainai Award (Public Interest Incorporated Foundation) Food System Organization (external link). The application period is until Monday, June 15.
### 3. Past Awards
Please refer to the following external links.
About the "Food Industry Mottainai Award" Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Food Industry Mottainai Award Recipient Interview YouTube (external link)
### Contact Information
New Business and Food Industry Department, Food Service and Food Culture Division, Food Loss and Recycling Countermeasures Office
Person in charge: Environmental Countermeasures Group
Main line: 03-3502-8111 (ext. 4319)
Direct line: 03-6744-2066