Through outreach classes, plant study tours, workshops, and other hands-on activities, the Meiji Group helps young people discover the connection between food, health, and their own futures. It strives to make learning engaging and accessible, encouraging the next generation to take an active role in creating lifelong health.
Within the Group, each company brings its own area of expertise to this mission. Meiji Co., Ltd., which leads the food business, focuses on food education. Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. and KM Biologics Co., Ltd., which oversee the pharmaceutical business, offer thoughtfully designed programs about infectious diseases and vaccines.
To better understand the thinking behind these educational initiatives and the aspirations driving them, we spoke with representatives from all three companies.
Creating opportunities for students to explore food and health
The Meiji Group's three companies support the next generation by drawing on their individual areas of expertise, each aligned with its core business. Together, they create opportunities for children to think more deeply about food, health, and how these relate to everyday life.
Meiji has a long history of offering food education seminars to people of all ages—from elementary school students to seniors. For younger audiences, the company provides outreach programs such as its Cocoa and Chocolate Class, which encourages students to learn not only about cocoa and chocolate, but also about the bounty of nature, the work of cocoa farmers, and the importance of international cooperation. Another lesson, the Milk Class, introduces the essential role of milk and dairy products in healthy growth.
Mukade, who has served as an instructor for these outreach classes, says that working with elementary school students is both rewarding and deeply enjoyable.
"In the Cocoa and Chocolate Class, children learn about the time and care involved in growing cocoa, as well as the ingenuity behind the manufacturing process," says Mukade. "They come away with so many different impressions. During the tasting session, it's especially striking to see how carefully they savor even a small, bite-sized piece of chocolate. We often hear comments like, ‘It tastes better than usual,’ or, ‘Now that I know how much effort goes into it, I want to eat it more thoughtfully.’"
In the Milk Class, children learn why eating breakfast matters, which nutrients are especially important during their growing years, and simple, practical ways to include dairy products in their everyday meals. Because a well-balanced breakfast for elementary school students depends heavily on support at home, Mukade also looks for ways to extend learning beyond the classroom.
To spark conversations with their families, the students complete reflection worksheets, which help them review the lessons and share what they’ve learned at home.
"We sometimes receive letters from the children, sent through their teachers, with comments like, ‘I talked about it at home,’ or ‘I planned my own breakfast menu,’" says Mukade. "Hearing these messages makes me happy and reassures me that the lessons are worthwhile and making a positive impact."
Mukade teaching a class at an elementary school
Students learning in the Cocoa and Chocolate Class
Building health literacy through trusted information
Meiji Seika Pharma offers educational programs for junior high and high school students that reflect the company's pharmaceutical business, including infectious diseases, vaccines, and antimicrobial agents.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, public interest in infectious diseases and vaccines has grown significantly. Responding to this heightened awareness, Meiji Seika Pharma developed a vaccine-focused program rooted in a clear goal: to present both the benefits and concerns related to vaccines in a balanced way. Through this approach, the company aims to help students think critically and make informed decisions about vaccinations for themselves.
Rather than visiting schools to offer classes, the program invites students to the company as part of school field trips. Staff members conduct workshops and tours on site, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with the topic in a real-world setting. Launched in 2025, the program has been held eight times to date.
Okawa, who serves as an instructor, always leaves time in the presentation for discussion, which he believes is especially important.
"When students talk about vaccines with one another, a wide range of perspectives emerges," says Okawa. "These discussions help each student recognize that opinions on vaccines can differ."
Participants shared feedback such as: "I thought getting vaccinated was a given, but I was surprised to learn some classmates have negative impressions like ‘it's scary’"; and "When I was preparing for high school entrance exams, my friends all got the influenza vaccine, but I somehow didn't. Having learned about vaccines this time, I want to carefully weigh the pros and cons before deciding in the future."
Okawa explaining the teaching materials used in the class
A participant taking notes during the workshop
Meanwhile, KM Biologics, which manufactures vaccines and other medical products, has welcomed visitors for plant study tours at its headquarters in Kumamoto for many years.
These tours gave students and community members a firsthand look at how vaccines are developed and manufactured. In 2020, however, the tours were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting the company to continue its educational outreach in other ways.
"At a time when infectious diseases suddenly became a more immediate concern, we felt a strong responsibility to share accurate information with children," says Kokubo, who is a class instructor.
"That sense of urgency led us to shift our approach. We began visiting schools directly, offering classes to reach more students quickly."
The outreach classes are designed for a wide age range, from elementary to junior high school students. Through these sessions, KM Biologics shares practical, everyday habits that help strengthen immunity and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
At one elementary school, an outreach class was held for members of the school's student health committee. Following the session, participants created their own educational materials and took the lead in sharing information about infection prevention and proper handwashing with the entire student body.
"By trying to explain what they had learned in ways that others could easily understand, the students deepened their own grasp of the material," says Kokubo. "That is exactly what we hope for—that students will think about infection prevention in relation to their own daily lives. Seeing that process unfold made us keenly aware of how valuable these activities are."
Kokubo teaching a class at an elementary school
Students conducting a handwashing experiment
Establishing a strong foundation for healthy living
Although the three companies offer distinct programs, they share a common underlying goal: to provide accurate information that supports healthy lives.
Mukade of Meiji emphasizes the importance of reaching children early, particularly with regard to food. "Elementary school is a critical period for laying the foundation of lifelong dietary habits," she says.
Teaching materials used in the Milk Class
"We hope children develop a solid understanding of nutrition," says Mukade. "As they reach junior high and high school, many students choose to stay up late and skip breakfast, which can affect their well-being and their ability to learn. That's why we want them to establish the habit of eating breakfast while they are still in elementary school."
Okawa of Meiji Seika Pharma explains, "Through these workshops, we hope to give junior high and high school students accurate information and help them develop the critical thinking skills needed to take responsibility for their own health."
Feedback cards from high school students after participating in a workshop on vaccines
Kokubo of KM Biologics explains how the company designs its outreach classes to engage students.
"We want students to gain a thorough understanding of infection prevention," she says. "To keep them interested and help them enjoy the learning process, we incorporate experiments and other interactive elements into our classes. We've also drawn inspiration from Meiji's outreach programs. After learning about Meiji's Get Healthy Milk Exercise—a song and dance that reiterate key points of the lesson—we developed our own Vaccine Exercise song and dance, which we plan to introduce in future outreach classes. We're looking forward to seeing how children respond."
Exploring Meiji's work and inspiring students to think about their future
Outreach classes and plant study tours offer students valuable experiences they don't typically encounter in their everyday lives. By interacting directly with people working in the field, students also gain opportunities to think more concretely about their own futures.
Meiji Seika Pharma, which offers programs for junior high and high school students, often welcomes participants who have a particular interest in medicine and the pharmaceutical industry.
"Some students aspire to become pharmacists," says Okawa. "But even after earning a pharmacist's license, their job can vary widely depending on whether they work in a hospital, a company, or another setting. When I introduce Meiji Seika Pharma's business, I encourage students to think concretely about the role they'd like to play in contributing to medicines."
Mukade has personally participated in Meiji's food education seminars and emphasizes the importance of engaging students through clear, thoughtful communication.
Bringing the Group's expertise together to support the next generation
Collaboration within the Meiji Group is also gaining momentum. KM Biologics and Meiji have conducted joint outreach classes for three consecutive years.
"By sharing expertise between Meiji Seika Pharma, and KM Biologics, we believe we can offer more in-depth learning opportunities for elementary, junior high, and high school students," says Okawa.
"Looking ahead, we are also exploring ways to provide educational content that teachers can use in the classroom. Through these efforts, we hope people will better understand how to maintain their health as well as develop greater trust in the meiji brand."
By bringing together expertise across food and pharmaceuticals, the Meiji Group continues to deliver accurate, reliable information to the next generation—reinforcing its long-standing commitment to promoting health in society.
