We (Weben) recently had the pleasure of hosting a one-day market immersion in Osaka, Japan, spotlighting the fast-evolving world of novel foods—with a powerhouse delegation from Finland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
Finland isn’t just dabbling in biotech—it’s diving in headfirst. The delegation featured civil servants, representatives from research organisations and five innovative companies, ranging from agile startups to one of Finland’s largest dairy producers. The lineup included Happy Plant Protein, OnegaBio, Valio, Solar Foods, Enifer, and the renowned research institute VTT.
VTT has played a pivotal role in transforming scientific breakthroughs into commercial ventures, helping incubate novel technologies into viable businesses.
With shifting global trade dynamics—especially in light of American tariffs—Finland is strategically expanding its biotech footprint. The goal: forge new partnerships and explore fresh categories in new markets.
We curated a dynamic itinerary, blending site visits with one-on-one meetings with Japanese founders, offering the Finnish delegation a rich tapestry of insights into Japan’s biotech and food innovation scene.
The day began at one of Osaka’s top universities, home to over 140 professors. Their bioengineering team showcased cutting-edge work in Asian superfoods, fermentation (a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine), and genome editing. Projects ranged from identifying plant enzymes for traditional medicine to developing functional foods rooted in Japanese culinary heritage.
A speaker from the Japan Association of Cellular Technology shed light on Japan’s evolving regulatory landscape for novel foods. Though currently more flexible than Europe or the U.S., Japan is crafting its own frameworks—leveraging its strengths in functional and fermented foods.
The delegation also visited Nissin’s Chicken Ramen Factory in Ikeda, where they got hands-on with noodle-making. Nissin, famous for inventing instant noodles, is now exploring novel proteins to enhance its offerings.
Later, the group met a metabolic engineering startup founded by a former investment banker inspired by agricultural challenges in Kenya. His company produces primary metabolites—like amino acids—that serve as active ingredients in drugs, supplements, and fragrances. The global market for plant extracts is estimated at $81 billion, underscoring the scale of opportunity.
The day wrapped up with a dynamic presentation from a protein ice cream startup, founded by a Swedish entrepreneur in Japan. Starting with Amazon sales, the brand has now expanded into retail—showing how niche biotech products can find mainstream success.