On November 27, 2024, an Italy-Japan International Symposium entitled “Smart Food and Nutraceuticals – A step forward in the new era of food tech” was held at the Question Building (Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto). Participants from Italy and Japan, both of which rank high in the world’s longevity league owing to the quality of their diets and biochemical characteristics, discussed the potential of nutraceuticals on the themes of longevity, women’s health, and natural foods. Moderated by Distinguished Professor, Giuseppe PEZZOTTI, Director of the Biomedical Engineering Center, opening addresses were given by Consul General of Italy in Osaka Marco Prencipe, Ambassador and Commissioner General for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka Mario Vattani, and Director of the Center for Global Engagement Koichi TOMODA. Several lectures were provided, including “Natural Stevia Project for Obese People” by a team led by Assistant Professor Manabu NAKAGAWA from the Department of Medical Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, and “Raman Spectroscopic Insights in Food Molecular Science” by Center Director, Professor Pezzotti. Professor Takuya SHIMIZU (KOBAYASHI) from the Department of Medical Chemistry, provided closing remarks and expressed anticipation for the development of food technology in both countries.
