Yogurt Created by a Doctor for Himself Wins Top Prize in Japan: ICC Summit 2026 Food & Drink Award Winner — Recognized for 'Taste, Philosophy, and Social Impact' with Awards in Three Categories

Kagurazaka Nyugyo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kazuhiko Hayashi) is pleased to announce that it has won the "Food & Drink Award" at ICC Summit FUKUOKA 2026, one of Japan's largest business conferences. Additionally, in the "Catapult" 7-minute business presentation contest, the company placed 3rd in both the "Crafted Catapult" and "Social Good Catapult" categories, earning high marks for its product, manufacturing philosophy, and social impact.

■ Why This Award is Special
— A Food Award Where "Taste Alone Isn't Enough" —
Unlike standard food competitions, the ICC Summit Food & Drink Award evaluates more than just taste. It is judged comprehensively on five criteria:
- Taste (Deliciousness as an experience)
- Sustainability (Environmental, Social, Economic)
- Artisan (Technology, Philosophy, Expertise)
- Branding (Market Viability)
- Empathy (The story/vision)
The award recognizes not just flavor but the design philosophy and purpose behind the product.

■ Yogurt "Created by a Doctor for Himself"
"Kami-gurt" was developed over two years by CEO Hayashi, a physician, after he suffered from severe constipation caused by the stress of being a university hospital administrator. It was designed based on a unique fermentation process combining lactic acid bacteria and saccharifying bacteria, tailored to his own physical needs.

■ Highest Evaluation: "Artisan (Craftsmanship)"
The highest marks were given for "Artisan," recognizing the meticulous design philosophy in "invisible" areas such as strain selection, fermentation processes, and raw material selection. The story also earned high marks for "Empathy," as participants connected with a doctor's mission to bridge the gap between medicine and food.

■ What are Crafted Catapult and Social Good Catapult?
The ICC Summit features presentation contests to probe the essence of a business. "Crafted Catapult" evaluates the "how" (tech/philosophy), while "Social Good Catapult" evaluates the value brought to society. Kagurazaka Nyugyo placed 3rd in both, proving the strength of its manufacturing ethos and social contribution...