Gaia Group's Initiatives Featured in MAFF's 'Reiwa 7 Food Education White Paper'

On June 16, 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) announced the publication of the 'Reiwa 7 Food Education White Paper,' in which the initiatives of Gaia Inc. were featured as a case study.

The Food Education White Paper is an official government report that compiles national food education policies and outstanding examples from across Japan. We are deeply honored that our activities have been highlighted in this publication.

The theme of our featured case is:

"Closely Engaged with the Community, Tackling Various Social Issues"

The report introduces Gaia Group's community-rooted food education activities, including elderly morning meal services (monitoring breakfasts) and children's cafeterias, implemented at 'Sakai Coffee Zao Suizanen Front Store,' operated by the group.

Connecting Communities Through Food Education: Building a Society Where Everyone Lives Safely and Has a Role

Addressing Regional Challenges Through Food Education

Since its founding in 2012, Gaia Group has been addressing regional challenges across a wide range of fields—including tourism, welfare, agriculture, and migration promotion—while maintaining real estate as its core business.

At the heart of these efforts lies the:

"Zao Welfare Forest Initiative"

This initiative is built on two fundamental principles:

1. To create a community where everyone—elderly and young, with or without disabilities—can live safely, while preserving the nurturing rural landscape.

2. To recognize that fulfilling a role is the source of vitality, and to build a community where everyone can contribute in a way suited to them.

The elderly morning meal services (monitoring breakfasts) and children's cafeterias featured in the White Paper are ongoing initiatives aimed at putting these principles into practice.

"Eating" is "Connecting"

We view food education not merely as nutritional guidance, but as:

"An activity that connects people and supports the community."

For the elderly morning services, we provide not only meals but also transportation and monitoring, creating an environment where seniors can go out confidently and interact with others.

For children's cafeterias, we continue to create safe and welcoming spaces where children can enjoy meals, using ingredients donated by local residents.

Gathering around the dining table fosters intergenerational exchange and strengthens community bonds.

From Food Education to Agriculture, Tourism, Welfare, and Employment

Gaia Group's initiatives extend far beyond food education.

Currently, our activities have expanded into diverse areas such as:

- Revitalization of terraced rice fields and succession of regional agriculture through Gaia Farm

- Creation of relational and visitor populations through GAIA Resort

- Development of new regional contributors through migration promotion programs

- Creation of local employment through the Zao Welfare Forest Business Cooperative

- Development of regional exchange hubs through GAIA Resort Terminal ai

These are not isolated projects, but interconnected elements of a circular system that supports the entire region.

Regional Development Leveraging the Albergo Diffuso Model

Gaia Group is advancing regional development by incorporating the concepts of:

Albergo Diffuso (Diffused Hotel)

and

Ospitalità Diffusa (Diffused Hospitality)

—regional revitalization models originating in Italy.

This approach involves building a sustainable regional society by utilizing not only lodging facilities but also:

- Vacant local houses

- Farmland

- Hot springs

- Shops

- Welfare facilities

- Medical institutions

and even the daily lives of local residents as regional resources.

Food education activities are also a key component supporting this regional cycle.

Comment

Kunihiro Aizawa, Representative Director, Gaia Inc.

"The inclusion in this Food Education White Paper is not solely Gaia Group's achievement.

This recognition would not have been possible without the cooperation of local residents, farmers, users, government agencies, and related organizations who have supported our activities.

We sincerely thank you all.

Moving forward, Gaia Group will continue to utilize the philosophy of the Zao Welfare Forest Initiative and the frameworks of Albergo Diffuso and Ospitalità Diffusa to realize a sustainable regional society where we protect our nurturing rural communities, and everyone can live safely and thrive in roles suited to them.

We will take this inclusion in the Food Education White Paper as a new starting point, continuing to challenge ourselves to create new models for regional revitalization—from Zao to the entire nation."

[Location in the Reiwa 7 Food Education White Paper]

Chapter 3: "Promotion of Food Education at the Regional Level"

Case Study: "Closely Engaged with the Community, Tackling Various Social Issues (Gaia Inc.)"

Page: 79

Rooted in the community, walking hand-in-hand with it.

That is the mission of Gaia Group.

Source: 'Reiwa 7 Food Education Promotion Measures,' p. 79

Company Overview

Company Name: Gaia Inc.

Representative: Representative Director Kunihiro Aizawa

Capital: 100 million yen

Headquarters: 1-5-7 Asahimachi, Shiroishi City, Miyagi Prefecture

Founded: 2012

Business Activities: Real estate, tourism, development and construction, food and beverage, agriculture, consulting

URL: https://www.nszao.co.jp/

Media Contact

Public Relations Department, Gaia Inc. (Gaia Group)

TEL: 0224-26-8892

Email: info-gaia@gaia-resort.net