Will the 'Hidden Malnutrition' of Working Adults Be Exposed by the 'Mouth of Truth'? Next-Gen 'Nutrition Diagnostic Vending Machine' Launches Temporarily in Front of Yurakucho Station for Office Workers!

Zespri International Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Ichiro Anzai) announced on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, that it has formed a partnership with KOMPEITO Inc. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shun Watanabe), operator of the installed healthy workplace dining service OFFICE DE YASAI (Office de Yasai), as part of its 'Zespri Nutrition Reform Project' addressing Japan’s dietary and nutritional challenges. Together, they have declared a new initiative called 'Work Nutrition Balance' and jointly developed a new solution: the 'Nutrition Diagnostic Vending Machine' to visualize office workers’ nutritional status.

Additionally, the 'Nutrition Diagnostic Vending Machine' will be temporarily installed in Yurakucho, one of Tokyo’s major office districts. On its opening day today, a presentation was held to share the background of the product’s development, the concept of 'Work Nutrition Balance,' and details of the partnership, while allowing attendees to experience the machine firsthand.

1. About the 'Nutrition Diagnostic Vending Machine'

<Development Background>

In Japan today, lifestyle diseases account for approximately 85% of adult deaths*1, and 'malnutrition'—a major contributing factor—affects one in three adults, indicating a critical situation*2. Particularly, 83% of people have unbalanced lunch nutrition*3.

The core of this issue lies in its invisibility—people often fail to recognize it in themselves. In fact, 52% of individuals who are malnourished do not perceive themselves as such (internal survey*5), highlighting the serious problem of 'hidden malnutrition' in office environments.

While Zespri has long promoted the nutritional and health benefits of kiwifruit, the company realized that to drive actual behavioral change, it is essential to design experiences that simultaneously trigger both 'awareness' and 'action.' Therefore, through this partnership with OFFICE DE YASAI, Zespri has developed a new solution that enables users to check their nutritional status and immediately take corrective action on the spot.

*1) World Health Organization (WHO), Institutional Repository for Information Sharing (IRIS) Data Sheet (Japan): "85% of deaths were from noncommunicable diseases" (https://iris.who.int/server/api/core/bitstreams/db06a907-0d4b-43d7-a49a-a7eb3623e489/content)

*2) Calculated based on the 'current value of 60.3%' from the 'Nutrition and Dietary Life-Related Goals' in MHLW's 'Healthy Japan 21 (Third Phase),' which measures the proportion of individuals with BMI between 18.5–25 (ages 20–64) and 20–25 (ages 65+) (https://www.maff.go.jp/j/syokuiku/kaigi/attach/pdf/230906-17.pdf)

*3) 'Zespri Lunch Nutrition Awareness Survey' Method: Web questionnaire / Period: June 2025 / Respondents: 2,000 people aged 20–60 nationwide / Those who did not answer 'nutritionally balanced' to the question 'Characteristics of your usual lunch' = 83.1%

*4) 'Zespri Nutrition Awareness Survey' Method: Web questionnaire / Period: April 16–20, 2026 / Respondents: 2,400 men and women aged 20–70 (including 1,190 employed: salaried workers, public servants, executives, self-employed, freelancers)

*5) 'Zespri Nutrition Awareness Survey' Method: Web questionnaire / Period: September 2–4, 2025 / Respondents: 2,400 men and women aged 20–70. BMI calculated from height and weight responses. Individuals classified as malnourished (underweight or overweight) based on the BMI criteria in *2) were extracted. Responses to 'Do you think you are malnourished?' were aggregated.

<Product Overview>

This product is a kiwi vending machine that integrates nutritional status visualization with fruit consumption. By placing a hand in front of the 'Mouth of Truth,' users can diagnose their nutritional status. After diagnosis, they receive a kiwi—the fruit ranked No.1 in nutrient adequacy rate among commonly available fruits*6.

Going forward, the goal is to install these machines in actual offices, creating an environment where employees can routinely monitor their nutritional status and easily supplement nutrients.

*6) Comparison among commonly available domestic fruits: strawberry, banana, persimmon, mandarin orange, melon, blueberry, lemon, watermelon, peach, grape, apple, pear, and kiwi.

<Product Features>

① Experience Design Inspired by the 'Mouth of Truth'

The machine features a unique design inspired by the 'Mouth of Truth,' offering users a chance to discover the 'truth' about their often-overlooked nutritional status. With a simple, intuitive interface—diagnosing nutritional status (carotenoid levels in fruits) by hand scan—it is designed for seamless, continuous use in daily life.

② Real-Time 'Visualization' of Nutritional Status

Utilizing a measuring device developed by Germany’s Biozoom services, the machine optically measures carotenoid levels in the skin—indicative of fruit intake—to estimate overall nutritional status. Users simply place their hand inside the 'Mouth of Truth' to instantly check their nutritional health, something often overlooked in daily routines.

③ Kiwi Dispensed Based on Score

Depending on the diagnostic result, a kiwi is dispensed from inside the 'Mouth of Truth.' By linking visualization with immediate action, the machine aims to foster habitual nutritional improvement.

2. Nutrition Diagnostic Vending Machine Experience Event

From June 16 (Tue) to June 19 (Fri), 2026, an experience event will be held at the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan (Tokyo Transport Culture Center) in front of Yurakucho Station.

Visitors can experience the full cycle: ① scan hand to diagnose nutritional status, ② view results instantly, and ③ receive a kiwi based on their score—offering a new nutritional experience of 'measure, realize, and replenish.'

Event Overview

・Location: Sampling Area & Event Space, Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan

・Period: June 16 (Tue) – June 19 (Fri), 2026

・Hours: June 16 (Tue): 11:30–20:00 (Closed 13:00–14:00)

June 17 (Wed) – 18 (Thu): 12:00–20:00

June 19 (Fri): 9:00–11:00

・Fee: Free

※ Event ends when kiwis run out.

※ Tickets may be distributed depending on crowd levels. Please allow time for guidance.

※ One experience per person.

On the opening day, a launch event titled 'Nutrition Diagnostic Vending Machine Announcement' was held. Ichiro Anzai of Zespri International Japan and Shun Watanabe of KOMPEITO took the stage to discuss the significance and future plans of this initiative.