Event Report

Report for the 2nd Asian Symposium on Entomophagy
The Asia Oceania Research and Education Organization of Kyushu University held the 2nd Asian Entomophagy Symposium at I2CNER Hall, Kyushu University on Friday, November 24, 2023. This symposium is held to collect and disseminate information on the use, culture, and industry of entomophagy in Asian countries, and to build an international research and development network on entomophagy. Last year, the symposium was held online from the viewpoint of preventing infectious diseases, but this year we were able to hold the symposium completely on-site. The symposium began with opening remarks by Kyushu University’s executive vice president and Leader of Environment and Food Unit, FS Headquarters, Prof. Emer. Dr. Susumu FUKUDA, and Leader of Environment and Food Unit, FS Headquarters, followed by presentations on the latest trends in entomophagy in various countries and industries by seven people at the forefront of research and development of entomophagy in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, France, and Japan, invited from universities, research institutions, companies and NPOs.

＜Session 1: Entomophagy in Asia＞
Dr. Eric DEHARO, the research director of the Mivegec Unit of the Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD), France
   -Cricket Farming in Laos, Challenges and Hopes.

Dr. Wasaporn Preteseille CHANPUT, a lecturer from the Faculty of Agri-industry, Kasetsart University, Thailand
   -Insect Eating Perception in Thailand

KHUAT Thi Thuy, a senior researcher at the Department of Research Planning & International Cooperation, Food Industries Research Institute, Vietnam
   -Edible Insects as a Food Source in Vietnam and its Future Prospects

Mr. SAEKI Shinjiro, the director of NPO Japan Edible Insect Science Lab
   -Empowerment of Farming Insects for Traditional Entomophagy Unlocks New Options for Nutrition and Income Improvement in Laos

＜Session 2: Entomophagy in Japan＞
Prof. Dr. IUCHI Yoshihito from the Faculty of Agriculture at Yamaguchi University
   -Functional Properties of Insect Food

Dr. Seiji TAKEDA, an associate professor from the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Kyoto Prefectural University
   -Circular-agricultural System Using Crop Plants and Edible Insects

Mr. Takeo SAITO, the CEO of TAKEO Inc
   -Current Trends of Edible Insects in Japan: from E-commerce to Asakusa

introduction to the initiatives and studies on entomophagy at Kyushu University
Prof. Dr. Takahiro KUSAKABE, senior vice president of Kyushu University
   -Introduction of Insect Science and Creative Entomology Center and Establishment of Insect Food Science and Insect DX Research Laboratories

Dr. Satoshi KAMITANI, an associate professor from the Faculty of Agriculture of Kyushu University
   -A Sustainable Approach for Japanese Horn Beetle Farming

Finally, Prof. Akira HARATA, senior vice president of Kyushu University and the deputy director of the Kyushu University Institute for Asian and Oceanian Studies, gave closing remarks and presented commemorative gifts including silkworm cookies, a representative of Kyushu University’s entomophagy products, to all the speakers.
　The event ended on a high note with a wide-ranging exchange of opinions on research and development, educational activities, and industrialization of entomophagy.

We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the Lecturers and Speakers, participants, and related parties.