EXPO 2025
Special Page
Event / Presentation
Reinforcing our commitment to global cooperation and the bioeconomy, CHITOSE Group partnered with the Science and Technology Service (SST) of the French Embassy in Japan for the 5th “Hidden Beauty of Science” photography contest. The event promotes the appeal of science and strengthens cooperation between researchers in Japan and France. This year, approximately 120 participants, including embassy officials, company executives, university professors, and students, gathered for the occasion.
Among the three laureates, the CHITOSE Award was presented to Associate Professor Haruka Takagi of the University of Tokyo’s Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute.
“Oasis in the ocean desert” by Dr. Haruka Takagi
Dr. Takagi’s winning work, “Oasis in the ocean desert,” captures the symbiosis between planktonic foraminifera and microalgae. This research into environmental adaptation mirrors CHITOSE’s own perspective: just as these organisms thrive through cooperation, we believe that cross-border, cross-industry and cross-species teamwork are essential to ensuring prosperity for the next thousand years.
CHITOSE COO Rie Kugimiya provides the award to the winner
A testament to these perspective is MATSURI, a cross-industry initiative led by CHITOSE to promote the bioeconomy, originally started as a collaborative effort to build a microalgae industry. Currently, CHITOSE is a leading company in microalgae production and application development, operating the world’s largest*1 5-hectare microalgae production facility, CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central (C4)*2, in Malaysia, and a food-grade spirulina production facility in Brunei.
To highlight the significance and versatility of these small organisms, we crafted this unique award shield using our own microalgae. Engraved within the shield, the CHITOSE logo features a paper crane, a symbol of luck believed to live for a thousand years. Through the form of the origami crane, we express deep respect for technology, culture, and craftsmanship.
The “shield” highlights the natural color of microalgae, the core material of the CHITOSE Award
Microalgae made another appearance at the event, demonstrating its value in real-world applications. Guests were served sablé cookies made with CHITOSE’s spirulina, a microalgae known as a “superfood” for being densely packed with protein and nutrients. This offered a tangible taste of how CHITOSE transforms biomass into sustainable industrial solutions.
By fostering cross-border scientific collaborations and leveraging biotechnology, CHITOSE Group is dedicated to solving complex global issues. We are currently partnering with over 100 leading companies and organizations through the MATSURI framework to succeed in this mission.
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Event Overview
Event name: The Hidden Beauty of Science Contest
Date and time: Thursday, December 11th, 2025
Organized by: Science and Technology Service of the French Embassy in Japan
Venue: Embassy of France in Japan
About MATSURI
https://matsuri.chitose-bio.com/en
MATSURI, led by CHITOSE Group, was launched in 2021 to establish an advanced microalgae-based industry in collaboration with partner enterprises, government and academia institutions. By 2025, it had evolved beyond microalgae into a cross-industry initiative driving the global bioeconomy forward. With a vision to realize a society powered by biotechnology, our efforts continue to expand – from AI-driven bio-manufacturing and resource circulation to sustainable agriculture. As what MATSURI means in Japanese, it is a festival that will leave its mark on human history.
We invite partners from all industries to join us in shaping the future together. Click here to contact us.
Related Information
Official Website – The Hidden Beauty of Science (Japanese & French)
