Yamaki Jozo, a producer of miso, soy sauce, tofu, and pickles, etc. recognized by Grand Priza of Minister of the Environment Award

Yamaki Jozo Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kamikawa-machi, Kodama-gun, Saitama Prefecture; CEO: Yoshimitsu Kitani), a producer of traditional foods such as miso, soy sauce, tofu, and pickles, etc. is pleased to announce that it has received the Minister of the Environment's Grand Prize in the 12th Good Life Awards presented by the Ministry of the Environment.

Award Ceremony

The Good Life Award, sponsored by the Ministry of the Environment, is a project to support the exchange of information to revitalize activities and society by inviting, introducing, and awarding activities and initiatives related to "a lifestyle that is good for the environment and society" that are being practiced throughout Japan, with the aim of realizing an environmentally friendly society.

Under the philosophy of "Preserving Nature for the Next Generations," we have been working to create sustainable food productions that do not burden the environment, and to build face-to-face relationships with producers and consumers through food that can be eaten with peace of mind. We are very happy that our daily efforts have received such noteworthy recognition, and we will continue to make further efforts to produce safe and sustainable quality food.

<Activities that were evaluated>

We aim to practice environmentally friendly agriculture and productions to establish a relationship where the farmers, producers, and consumers can see each other's faces.

Organized as an agricultural production corporation, our company is committed to environmentally recycling-oriented cultivation methods such as organic and special cultivation, and produces miso, soy sauce, tofu, and pickles following the traditional methods using ingredients produced by the company. Our company has developed upcycled products to eliminate the food loss of out-of-spec organic vegetables and easily misshapen tofu, and has achieved zero waste by effectively utilizing by-products such as bean curd and soy sauce lees produced during the manufacturing process. We also generate our own energy from solar power, which we use to run our main factory and other operations. We are also involved in the Soybean Trust Movement, which utilizes abandoned soybean fields in cooperation with a local co-op organization, and we support the forest conservation activities of a non-profit organization.

<Promotion of environmentally friendly agriculture>

Environmentally friendly agriculture

Our products are made from soybeans, wheat, rice, and vegetables carefully grown through environmentally friendly agriculture that avoids the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which are harmful to the environment.

＜Forest Preservation Activities>

Forest Preservation Activities

As a member of the authorized NPO Jyuon Network, we support activities to preserve and maintain the natural environment, mainly in the forest lasting 100 years (Heritage for the Future Project) in Saitama Prefecture. Wood from thinning is used to make disposable chopsticks.

＜Reuse of Dried Okara (bean curd)>

Strewing dried okara

Dried okara is provided as a raw material and fertilizer to organic farmers in the area, achieving zero waste.

<Reuse of Soy Sauce Lees>

Cows eating soy sauce "cake"

Soy sauce lees are used as part of a compound feed used by interested dairy farmers, thus achieving zero waste.

<Solar Power Generation>

Solar Power Generation

Solar panels on the roof of the company building and solar power generation equipment on a nearby development site promote the use and supply of natural energy.

＜Utilization of substandard raw materials and upcycling of food loss>

Tofu mayo image

Off-spec vegetables are commercialized and sold as pickles. Tofu, which is easily lost due to its softness and short shelf life, is upcycled into dressing and sold.

For more information on our initiatives, please visit our corporate website.

Our Commitment and Producers (Japanese articles only)

https://yamaki-co.com/concept/note.html

Entrance of Yamaki Jozo

Soy sauce moromi warehouse

■Corporate Profile

Company Name : Yamaki Jozo Co., Ltd. (CEO: Yoshimitsu Kitani)

Location: 955 Shimoaguhara, Kamikawa-machi, Kodama-gun, Saitama, 367-0311, Japan

Production: Miso, soy sauce, pickles, tofu, soymilk, yuba, fried tofu, and sweets made from okara and soymilk.

Operation: Factories and factory direct shops, and Yuba Cafe Shisuian.

URL: https://yamaki-co.com/en/