The 2nd Asian Symposium on Entomophagy was successfully held on November 24, 2023, at the I2CNER Hall, Kyushu University, under the initiative of Assoc. Prof. Kun QIAN from the Insect Science Group within the Environment and Food Unit.
The symposium series, initiated by Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies last year, aims to collect and disseminate information on insect consumption, culture, and industry in various Asian countries, fostering an international research and development network on insect consumption.
This year, the Environment and Food Unit co-hosted it as a part of implementation of feasibility studies aimed at creating Environmental and Food research cores that lead social change with Insect Science and Creative Entomology Center, Kyushu University. Seven experts at the forefront of insect consumption research and development from universities, research institutions, company, and NPO in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, France, and Japan were invited to this symposium. They provided insights into the latest trends in eating/edible insects in their respective countries and industries. Kyushu University also reported on its current research and initiatives on entomophagy.
The symposium began with opening remarks from Kyushu University’s executive vice president, Prof. Emer. Dr. Susumu FUKUDA, who also leads the Environment & Food Unit of Integrated Initiative for Designing Future Society at Kyushu University. In the first session, titled “Entomophagy in Asia,” Dr. Eric DEHARO, the research director of the Mivegec Unit of the Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD), France, talked with title “Cricket Farming in Laos, Challenges and Hopes.” Dr. Wasaporn Preteseille CHANPUT, a lecturer from the Faculty of Agri-industry, Kasetsart University, Thailand, gave a talk titled “Insect Eating Perception in Thailand.” MSc. KHUAT Thi Thuy, a senior researcher at the Department of Research Planning & International Cooperation, Food Industries Research Institute, Vietnam, talked with a title of “Edible Insects as a Food Source in Vietnam and its Future Prospects.” Lastly, Mr. SAEKI Shinjiro, the director of NPO Japan Edible Insect Science Lab, gave a talk titled “Empowerment of Farming Insects for Traditional Entomophagy Unlocks New Options for Nutrition and Income Improvement in Laos”.
After the coffee break and networking, in the second session focusing on “Entomophagy in Japan,” Prof. Dr. IUCHI Yoshihito from the Faculty of Agriculture at Yamaguchi University talked with the title “Functional Properties of Insect Food.” Dr. Seiji TAKEDA, an associate professor from the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Kyoto Prefectural University, gave a talk titled “Circular-agricultural System Using Crop Plants and Edible Insects.” Mr. Takeo SAITO, the CEO of TAKEO Inc. talked about “Current Trends of Edible Insects in Japan: from E-commerce to Asakusa.” At the end of the 2nd session, as an introduction to the initiatives and studies on entomophagy at Kyushu University, Prof. Dr. Takahiro KUSAKABE, senior vice president of Kyushu University talked with a title “Introduction of Insect Science and Creative Entomology Center and Establishment of Insect Food Science and Insect DX Research Laboratories,” and Dr. Satoshi KAMITANI, an associate professor from the Faculty of Agriculture of Kyushu University reported his study on “A Sustainable Approach for Japanese Horn Beetle Farming.”
The symposium ended with closing remarks from Prof. Akira HARATA, senior vice president of Kyushu University and the deputy director of the Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies. Seven invited speakers were presented with commemorative gifts, including Kyushu University’s representative insect food product, the Silkworm Cookie, marking the conclusion of the symposium. The symposium was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Kun QIAN from Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies.
After the symposium, the main participants engaged in a social gathering and discussions on a wide range of topics related to research and development, awareness campaigns, and industrialization of insect consumption during a reception and the following day’s excursion.
