The focus of my Fellowship is the Japanese school food system and the wider Japanese food culture. Travelling the length of Japan, visiting schools, farms and food institutes, talking with members of the public and political figures, I aim to develop an understanding of the dynamics of the Japanese food system and the cultural norms that underpin it.

Industrialisation and commercialisation have devoured the relationship between food and culture in our country. Our traditionally thriving farming industry has become stretched and disdained and on an individual level we are increasingly disconnected from the processes that feed us.

Though it faces many challenges, Japan's food system is held together by a rich food culture that prioritises nutrition and locality. I want to understand if and how the UK school food system can benefit from these principles, to help us develop resilience to the challenges our food system may face going forward.