Let's Make a Piadina Unique to the World! ~Parent-Child Cooking Class Enjoyable Even with Wheat Allergies~ Held on Sunday, May 17th, in Commemoration of May 15th International Day of Families

ASURX Co., Ltd. (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo) will host a cooking class on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Academy Mukogaoka (Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo) to commemorate the UN's International Day of Families on May 15th. This event allows parents and children to experience cooking together and enjoy a meal, regardless of whether they have wheat allergies. This initiative, supported by Bunkyo Ward, aims to raise awareness about food allergies and promote food education.

This will be the third time this event is being held.

In addition to the in-person cooking class, we will be broadcasting online nationwide to allow participation from across the country.

① Event Planning Intent
The purpose of this event is to deepen societal understanding of the increasing prevalence of food allergies, emphasizing awareness not only for those affected but also for those not directly impacted. Allergies are not merely an individual problem; they are a shared societal challenge where the knowledge and consideration of those around can significantly influence life-threatening risks such as anaphylaxis.

Through cooking experiences utilizing rice flour, this project aims to share the joy of "eating the same thing together" regardless of allergy status. The experience of gathering around the table safely and securely will foster an appreciation for the blessings of nature, alongside the discovery of new charms of rice.

Furthermore, it aims to cultivate "self-management skills to protect one's own life" by enabling children to correctly understand their own characteristics and actively participate in cooking. Simultaneously, it serves as an opportunity to foster "awareness of coexistence" among children, where they can recognize each other's differences and naturally help one another.

② Background of the Event

According to a survey by the Japan Council for School Health (2022 fiscal year), approximately 527,000 students have food allergies, with a prevalence rate of about 6.3%, and 6.2% experiencing anaphylaxis. Both figures show a significant increase over the past 20 years since the 2004 fiscal year (when students with food allergies numbered about 329,000, with a prevalence rate of 2.6% and anaphylaxis at 0.14%). Anaphylaxis, in particular, can occur suddenly and poses a life-threatening risk if prompt action is delayed.

However, currently, food allergies tend to be left to the individuals and their families, and understanding and preparedness from those around are insufficient. There are concerns that casual contact or well-intentioned actions can lead to serious accidents, making the sharing of correct knowledge throughout society an urgent necessity.

Furthermore, families with allergies face daily life where they must constantly confront risks, from managing daily meals to dining out, traveling, and school life. The psychological burden of constantly seeking consideration from others, such as the tension of continuously choosing what they can eat and the loneliness of not being able to eat with everyone, is significant and has long-term effects on the entire family.

■ Event Details

【Event Name】

Let's Make a Piadina Unique to the World!

~Parent-Child Cooking Class Enjoyable Even with Wheat Allergies~

【Date and Time】

Sunday, May 17, 2026

・Session 1: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

・Session 2: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

・Session 3: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

※Capacity: 30 people per session

※Media check-in: 30 minutes before start / Doors open: 15 minutes before start

【Participation Fee】

Residents of Bunkyo Ward: ¥2,500

Residents outside Bunkyo Ward: ¥3,000

Online Participants: ¥500

【Venue】

Academy Mukogaoka Practice Room

(1-20-8 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo)

【Access】

1-minute walk from Todaimae Station (Exit 2) on the Namboku Line [Bus] 1-minute walk from "Todai Nogakubu" stop on Toei Bus lines East 43, Cha 51

【How to Participate】

Applications will be accepted via the application site to be announced around April 6th on the ASURX Co., Ltd. (Ashurix) website: https://asurx8.com/company/

■ Event Schedule and Content

【Schedule】

・Greetings

・Lecture: "Understanding Food Allergies Together"

・"Piadina" Cooking Class

・Fun Time

・Tasting

【Lecturer】

Lecture: "Understanding Food Allergies Together"

Lecturer:

Public Health Nurse, Registered Nurse,

Pediatric Allergy Educator

Minato Red Cross Hospital, Yokohama

Naoko Uehara

(Originally from Gujo City, Gifu Prefecture)

【Biography】

March 2003: Graduated from the Department of Nursing, Nippon Red Cross Junior College of Aichi (now Nippon Red Cross University of Aichi College of Nursing)
Transferred to the Faculty of Nursing, Nippon Red Cross University of Nursing

March 2005: Graduated from the Faculty of Nursing, Nippon Red Cross University of Nursing
Joined Yokohama Minato Red Cross Hospital

Working at the hospital's Allergy Center since 2010.

【What is a Pediatric Allergy Educator?】

A healthcare professional who provides guidance to patients with allergies using specialized knowledge. This includes nurses, pharmacists, and registered dietitians.

【Lecturer】

"Piadina" Cooking Class

Lecturer:

Executive Chef at "suscrea" and "KOKKO KURKKU," which opened in Minami-Aoyama last November.

Born in 1995.

Originally from Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture.

Worked as sous chef at "Quintocanto" in Osaka for about 4.5 years.

Trained at Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy, Spain, and other countries. Appointed as chef for "KURKKU FIELDS" and "perus" in November 2022.

■ About Piadina

Piadina is a traditional thin flatbread from the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It has long been popular along the Adriatic coast and is often called "Italian-style tacos" due to its versatility in being filled with various ingredients, making it a convenient local dish. While traditionally made with flour, water, salt, and lard or olive oil, for this event, we will use rice flour instead of wheat flour to accommodate wheat allergies, allowing participants to fill it with their favorite ingredients. This project aims to harmonize "Piadina," a regional Italian dish less widely known than pizza or pasta, with Japanese food culture by using rice flour. It offers an opportunity for cultural exchange to appreciate the appeal of diverse ingredients and the food cultures of both countries.

■ May 15th International Day of Families

International Day of Families is observed annually on May 15th. It was established by the UN General Assembly in 1993 to raise awareness of issues related to families and encourage appropriate action. The theme for International Day of Families in 2026 is "Families, Inequality, and Child Well-being."

■ Past Event Achievements

【1st Event】Held on February 20, 2024: "Allergy Day" Awareness Event! Parent-Child Cooking Class Enjoyable Even with Wheat Allergies Using Popular Rice Flour. Making Short Pasta with "Hoshimai" Rice Flour from Tottori Prefecture. Held on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Organizer: Tottori Prefectural Tokyo Office

Co-organizers: Public Interest Incorporated Foundation, Japan Allergy Association. Made authentic rice flour short pasta with Tottori Wagyu beef bolognese.

【2nd Event】Held on April 4, 2025

April 4th Rice Flour Day: "Food Allergy" Food Education x Awareness Event

Let's Make a Unique Pizza Together, Parent and Child!

~Cooking Class Enjoyable Even with Wheat Allergies Using Popular Rice Flour~

Organizer: ASURX Co., Ltd. (Ashurix)

Lecture: Bunkyo Ward

Made authentic rice flour pizza using Tottori Wagyu beef and other ingredients.

■ Representative's Comment

Tomomi Ikeuchi, ASURX Co., Ltd. (Ashurix)

I came up with this idea after seeing many people around me struggling with food allergies in their daily lives and meals.

This time, we are focusing on deepening understanding of allergies not only for children with food allergies but also for those without. We believe that learning together, regardless of allergy status, and viewing food allergies as one aspect of individuality will contribute to building a society that accepts diversity.

Furthermore, we want participants to enjoy the harmony of cooking the Italian dish "Piadina," which is not widely known in Japan, using the Japanese ingredient "rice flour," and to experience a new value of "food." In commemoration of "International Day of Families," we hope you will enjoy making rice flour "Piadina" with your family and friends.