Seven-Eleven Japan and Kyushu Sangyo University Sign Comprehensive Partnership Agreement to Promote 'Freshly Made Deliciousness' and 'Waste Reduction'

Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomohiro Akutsu) and Kyushu Sangyo University (Location: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture; Chairman: Kazuto Iwasaki; President: Misakichi Kitajima) signed a comprehensive partnership agreement on food safety and food loss reduction on July 2 (Thu). The activities will be developed around four main pillars: (1) research dissemination, (2) mutual research cooperation, (3) student education, and (4) social collaboration.

The core initiative is the social implementation of Professor Soichi Nakayama's (Department of Life Sciences, Food Safety) 'microorganism identification technology,' which uses Kyushu Sangyo University's mass spectrometer 'MALDI-TOF MS' to identify types of bacteria that affect food. This technology shortens the time required to identify one sample from several weeks to several hours, and is characterized by rapid and low-cost analysis. Professor Nakayama is advancing research by establishing the industry-academia collaborative 'MALDI-TOF MS Microorganism Identification Consortium' and has received the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award at the 7th Open Innovation Awards sponsored by the Cabinet Office.

Seven-Eleven will collaborate in this research area to improve the accuracy and speed of solving hygiene issues in food manufacturing plants, thereby promoting 'extended freshness' that maintains product freshness while preserving the deliciousness of freshly made products.

Four Pillars of the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement

(1) Research Dissemination

- Seven-Eleven Japan will provide public relations support and industry outreach for Professor Nakayama's research area.

- Previously, in May 2026, a feature article was published in Seven & i Holdings' 'Shareholder Communication,' with approximately 290,000 copies distributed. As external communication, an introductory article about the initiative was published on PR TIMES STORY. Various media will continue to be considered for use.

PR TIMES STORY URL: https://prtimes.jp/story/detail/rwp98XuZo7b

(2) Research Cooperation

- Professor Nakayama has been analyzing bacterial genes using MALDI-TOF MS and creating a database of their characteristics. A system has been built to rapidly and affordably identify where and which bacteria are present in a factory during food inspections.

- Going forward, Seven-Eleven Japan will conduct mutual research cooperation to 'improve the accuracy of bacterial identification,' 'rapidly identify sources of microbial contamination,' 'enhance hygiene management levels,' and 'extend freshness with guaranteed stability.'

(3) Student Education

- Initiatives will be undertaken to contribute to university education, including lectures, workshops, and site visits on the theme of 'food safety and security' hosted by Seven-Eleven Japan.

(4) Social Collaboration

- Jointly organized events such as results reporting sessions for the local community will be held under the theme of 'Thinking about the Future of Food.'

- In January 2026, an event co-hosted by Professor Nakayama and Seven-Eleven Japan employees was held at Kyushu Sangyo University. The practical application of new technologies to solve social issues was reported.

Case Study: Extending the Shelf Life of 'Katsudon' by One Day

Prior to the comprehensive partnership, in 2025, Seven-Eleven Japan, together with Professor Nakayama, succeeded in extending the shelf life of its own product, 'Chilled Bento Box: Flavor-Infused Roast Pork Cutlet Bowl,' by one day. With the cooperation of Warabeeya Nichiyo Foods Co., Ltd., which is responsible for manufacturing, approximately 5,000 swab tests were conducted within the factory. By thoroughly investigating the location of each type of bacteria, the locations of bacteria affecting food were pinpointed. Based on these results, strengthening management and improving the environment led to the extension of freshness. The testing method using MALDI-TOF MS functioned effectively. Its major benefits can be summarized in three points:

(1) Speed: From several weeks to 'several hours'

Inspection time, which previously took several weeks per sample, is reduced to just a few hours.

(2) Cost: From 50,000-80,000 yen to '2,000-3,000 yen'

The inspection cost per sample is reduced to 2,000-3,000 yen, approximately 1/20th of the conventional cost.

(3) Accuracy: 'Clarification' of bacterial origin pathways

It identifies the origin and route of bacteria, which were previously difficult to trace, leading to effective countermeasures.

Comments from Personnel in Charge

Soichi Nakayama, Professor, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyushu Sangyo University

Our university's 'founding ideal' is 'Industry-Academia Unity (Sangaku Ichinyo),' which means the industrial world and the university work together to meet societal needs. The social implementation of our MALDI-TOF MS technology in the field of delivering food to customers nationwide through Seven-Eleven has led to extended product freshness and reduced food loss, which is a significant achievement towards realizing our founding ideal. I am delighted that we can further promote our initiatives and co-create the future of food, including student education and regional collaboration.

Shunji Saito, General Manager, QC Department, Seven-Eleven Japan

For us, deliciousness and safety/security are always two sides of the same coin. Professor Nakayama's cutting-edge analytical technology was indispensable for achieving extended freshness without excessive heating, preserving the taste of home cooking. Through this agreement, we will contribute to building a more sustainable society by offering lectures that pass on food safety and security to the next generation, together with our partner companies and local communities.

Kyushu Sangyo University

Founding Ideal: 'Sangaku Ichinyo' - Aiming to foster human resources and education that meet societal needs by integrating industry and academia.

Location: 2-3-1 Matsukodai, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka City

Established: 1960

Type: Private Comprehensive University

Faculties: 10 faculties in humanities, science and engineering, and arts

Chairman: Kazuto Iwasaki

President: Misakichi Kitajima

Official Website: https://www.kyusan-u.ac.jp/

*Information is current as of the time of publication. Please check the website for the latest information.