Zespri Renews Sponsorship of 'Project Connect 2026' to Tackle Japan's Nutritional Challenges; Aims to Reach 200,000 People Nationwide on the Importance of Fruit and Balanced Nutrition

Zespri International Japan K.K. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Ichiro Anzai) has announced its continued sponsorship of the 'Project Connect' (Nutrition no Chikara de Tsunagaru Project), organized by the Japan Nutrition Practice Science Strategy Organization (Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and Chairman: Teiji Nakamura). Following its sponsorship in fiscal year 2025, the company will support the project again this year. Activities to communicate the importance of fruit for nutritional balance through registered dietitians and nutritionists nationwide will commence in full on June 1, 2026.

Entering its second year, 'Project Connect'

While Japanese dietary habits are often perceived as healthy, a modern challenge exists where 'one in three adults is malnourished.' Since 2024, Zespri has been running the 'Zespri Nutrition Reform Project' aiming for a society where everyone can enjoy nutritionally balanced meals 'easily and joyfully.' 'Project Connect,' launched in 2025 by the Japan Nutrition Practice Science Strategy Organization, shares this vision as a project to realize a well-being future society led by registered dietitians and nutritionists. Zespri's sponsorship of 'Project Connect' is part of its broader 'Zespri Nutrition Reform Project.'

Educating 200,000 People Nationwide on Nutritional Balance and the Importance of Fruit

In its inaugural year last year, the project saw 13,567 registered dietitians and nutritionists participate across 2,097 locations nationwide. They conducted practical activities conveying the 'usefulness of fruit' to supplement dietary nutritional balance to approximately 200,000 general participants, receiving significant反响. In this second year, the project will introduce communication tools and leaflets supervised by the Japan Nutrition Practice Science Strategy Organization. It will also expand the participation of dietitians and nutritionists who support the project's purpose, broadening the circle of health support tailored to local residents at activity bases across the country.

Project Overview

Project Name: Project Connect – A project to realize a well-being future society connected by the nutritional power of registered dietitians and nutritionists
Organizer: Japan Nutrition Practice Science Strategy Organization
Implementation Period: June 1 (Mon) to September 30 (Wed), 2026
Locations: Approximately 2,100 activity sites of registered dietitians and nutritionists nationwide
Number of Participating Dietitians/Nutritionists: Approximately 13,600 (FY2025 actual)
Target Audience: Approximately 200,000 local residents

About the 'Zespri Nutrition Reform Project'

Zespri launched the 'Zespri Nutrition Reform Project' in 2024 to solve Japan's nutritional challenges. Although Japanese dietary habits often seem healthy, one in three Japanese adults is malnourished. In recent years, while Japanese diets have diversified, issues such as imbalanced nutrition and insufficient fruit intake have emerged. According to the 'Zespri Nutrition and Dietary Habits 10,000-Person Survey,' reasons for not being able to eat nutritionally balanced meals daily include lifestyle changes (avoiding effort due to busyness), rising food prices, dietary imbalances from eating alone, and lack of nutritional knowledge. To address these challenges, Zespri aims for a society where everyone can enjoy nutritionally balanced meals 'easily and joyfully.' Through 6 billion servings of high-quality, nutrient-rich kiwifruit, the company will undertake various nutritional reform actions to create more opportunities for healthy eating.

About Zespri Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit is a small fruit containing 10 essential nutrients for daily life. Zespri Green Kiwifruit offers an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity and is rich in dietary fiber, which is often lacking in modern diets. Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit is popular for its tropical sweetness and is rich in vitamin C; one piece provides the daily required intake of vitamin C.