Conference
On 22 April 2025, a scientific conference organised by SGGW will be held as part of the Polish Earth Day programme at the World EXPO 2025 in Osaka Kansai. Its programme will include two-panel discussions with scientists from SGGW and partners from Japanese universities, summarising the cooperation to date and presenting the work results. EXPO 2025 in Osaka provides a platform for presenting Polish scientific and innovative achievements, which are key to building the future society, in line with the motto ‘Designing Future Society for Our Lives’
11:00 a.m.-
11:15 p.m.
Opening, Inogate, Osaka Station City, 3 Chome-2-123 Umeda, Kita Ward
Welcome
Dr. Marta Mendel, Vice-Rector for Internationalization
Dr. Maria Mrówczyńska, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Dr. Wojciech Karczewski, Director General of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
Dr. Bartłomiej Nowak, Chairman of the Council; representative of the Minister in charge of higher education and science
Dr. Łukasz Gołota, Deputy Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
11:15 a.m.-
12:30 p.m.
Debate 1, Inogate, Osaka Station City, 3 Chome-2-123 Umeda, Kita Ward
Innovative technologies in healthcare
The debate entitled. ‘Innovative technologies in healthcare’ will address modern technological solutions in the healthcare sector. As part of the panel, Prof. Mohamed Kalaji from SGGW (Institute of Biology) will discuss his cooperation with Japan, focusing on implementing research results and the commercialisation process. He will present an example of an innovative antiviral respirator made from mosses and using lectins, such as concanavalin A, to produce natural antiviral agents. Such products can take the form of candies, throatwashes or beverages. In addition to representatives from SGGW, the debate will feature partners from Japan, including Green’s Green Ltd.
Panellists:
- Prof. Hazem Kalaji, Institute of Biology, SGGW
- Dr. Seiya Sato, University of Pharmacy and Applied Life Sciences in Niigata
- Mr. Yasunarii Sato, President of Green’s Green Company, Niigata
Presentation Innovative technologies in healthcare_debate prof. M.H.Kalaji
12:30 p.m.-
1:30 p.m.
Inogate, Osaka Station City, 3 Chome-2-123 Umeda, Kita Ward
Working lunch. Matchmaking session
1:30 p.m.-
3:00 p.m.
Debate 2, Inogate, Osaka Station City, 3 Chome-2-123 Umeda, Kita Ward
The challenge of reducing food loss and waste through DX and AI applications
The debate concerns modelling consumption behaviour in the context of the 3R policy (reduce, reuse, recycle) and the closed loop economy in Poland and Japan. It focuses on the issue of food waste, which is one of the key challenges of the modern world at various stages of the supply chain – from production, through transport, to sale and consumption. Effective food management is becoming essential in the context of global climate change, a growing population and limited natural resources. Topics to be addressed by Polish and Japanese panellists will include the scale of food waste globally, the role of digital technologies in monitoring, analysing and optimising food production and distribution processes, AI applications such as demand forecasting, and reflections on the future of food waste reduction.
Panellists:
- Prof. Magdalena Vaverková , Institute of Civil Engineering, SGGW
- Makoto TANAKA (Director, Food Loss and Waste Reduction Promotion Office, Consumer Education Promotion Division, Consumer Affairs Agency, Government of JAPAN)
- Tomohiro ISHIKAWA (Senior researcher, Division of Distribution, Point-of-sale and Environment, The Distribution Economics Institute of Japan)
- Yasuhiro MATSUI (Associate Professor, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University)
- Maja SUTKOWSKA (Doctoral student, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University)
- Kazuya KITAO (Executive Officer, Sales Department Manager, Sinops Co. Ltd.)
- Norimasa WADA (Specialized Head, Distribution Market Strategy Department, Domestic Sales Division, Sato Co. Ltd.)
- Tatsuro WATANABE (Professor, Graduate school of Commercial Science, Senshu University)
Presentation_What Is Food Loss and Food Waste_ prof. M.Vaverkova
5:00 p.m.
and
7:00 p.m.
Workshop 1, Poland Pavilion at EXPO
Plants as a Source of Natural Antiviral Substances and Products, and the Role of Photosynthesis in Regulating Their Growth Environments
The workshop presents a unique technology for monitoring the well-being of plants, as well as reading the language they use to communicate with their environment and their ability to combat human viruses.
6:00 p.m
and
8:00 p.m
Workshop 2, Poland Pavilion at EXPO
Composting with the “Kiero” Method at the Polish Pavilion, EXPO
This workshop at the Polish Pavilion during the Expo will introduce participants to the “Kiero” composting method, a Japanese-inspired, simple and effective approach to sustainable waste management. The “Kiero” system uses natural materials such as wood and soil to decompose organic waste with minimal maintenance. During the session, participants will learn how kitchen waste is mixed with soil, covered with dry soil to control odors, and left to decompose for five days, turning into nutrient-rich compost. Rooted in Japanese composting practices, this method is particularly well-suited to urban environments and provides a practical solution for reducing food waste while contributing to the creation of valuable compost for gardens and plants.
Speakers
Speakers EXPO SGGW
prof. dr hab. Mohamed Hazem Kalaji
Specialisation: physiology/plant biology
Scope of research: (in 2019-2021 he was on the list of the most cited scientists in the world)
- function, bioenergetics and efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus of plants
- photosynthesis and gas exchange in plants
- chlorophyll fluorescence
- plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses
- speech and intelligence of plants
- biological feedback systems
- remote monitoring of ecosystems
- development of innovative technological solutions for agriculture, horticulture, forestry and ecological research
Speakers EXPO SGGW
prof. dr hab. Magdalena Vaverková
Specialisation:
Professor Magdalena D. Vaverková is currently at the Institute of Civil Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences in Poland. Her scientific work focuses on environmental protection and development, especially on the environmental impact of waste production and processing. Her main research interests include waste management, municipal solid waste landfills, reclamation and remediation of degraded areas, composting, biomonitoring, bio-indicators, biodegradable polymers, sustainable development goals, and assessment of the impact of human activities on the environment.
In addition, Professor Vaverková is involved in research on the Anthropocene, examining how human activities have altered Earth’s systems, with a particular focus on the impact of waste management practices on ecosystems and biodiversity. Her research emphasizes the importance of monitoring environmental change to understand the extent of human influence on natural processes. The results of her extensive work highlight the need for sustainable solutions to address ongoing environmental challenges in the context of the Anthropocene.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Makoto Tanaka
Director, Food Loss and Waste Reduction Promotion Office, Consumer Education Promotion Division, Consumer Affairs Agency, Government of JAPAN
Main Responsibilities: As the head of the government’s command center office in charge of the Act on Promotion of Food Loss and Waste Reduction, my role is to promote public understanding of Food Loss and Waste reduction, and to achieve the reduction target by implementing measures in cooperation with relevant government ministries and private sectors.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Yasuhiro Matsui
Associate Professor, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Doctor of Engineering, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, 2001, Formerly at the Institute of Public Health, National Institute of Environmental Studies
His areas of expertise are waste management planning, circular economy, and social psychological studies including Bayesian modeling and behavior modification on 3Rs and ethical consumption. He works on the supply-demand matching for food waste from businesses by AI/DX application.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Tomohiro Ishikawa
Senior research fellow, Head of sustainability department, The Distribution Economics Institute of Japan Graduated from Faculty of Economics, Keio University Formerly at Panasonic Electric Works (now Panasonic) and consulting firms.
His areas of expertise are productivity improvement of distribution, improvement of business practices, food loss and waste issues. He works on research groups, surveys, and consulting for consumer goods manufacturers and wholesalers on sales policies and distribution efficiency improvement, etc. He serves as a secretariat and advisor in distribution efficiency improvement, business practice review, and food loss and waste reduction projects for the national government and several local governments, including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Toyama Prefecture; and Tottori Prefecture.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Maja Sutkowska
PhD student, Okayama University under the supervision of Prof. Yasuhiro Matsui. MSc Arch. graduated from the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology She also works as a researcher at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW).
Her areas of expertise are architecture, circular economy and digital transformation. Her research focuses on sustainable development in architecture and consumption, with particular attention to consumer behavior, public policy, and food loss and waste reduction. She explores how collaboration across the food product lifecycle and the use of AI and digital solutions can support the circular economy and improve demand-supply communication between supermarkets and consumers.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Kazuya Kitao
Executive Officer, Sales Department Manager, Sinops Co., Ltd.
In 2012, he joined sinops Co., Ltd. (formerly Link Co., Ltd.). After working in the product support department, he was assigned to the implementation support team. In addition to food retail, he was also in charge of introducing sinops to various other industries, including apparel and specialty retail. After that, he gained experience in the new business development department, including conducting questionnaire surveys of existing customers and planning new services. In 2016, he was appointed as the head of the sales department. He is in charge of sales and introduction activities for new companies, as well as the construction of business schemes and planning through collaboration with other companies.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Norimasa Wada
Senior Manager, Distribution Market Strategy Department, Domestic Sales Headquarters, Sato Co., Ltd.
He joined Sato Co., Ltd. in 1998 and worked mainly on food, distribution and logistics industries, and served as the head of distribution and logistics at the Kansai branch office. He is currently in charge of formulating market strategies at Distribution Market Strategy Department.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Tatsuro Watanabe
Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Senshu University/ Executive board member, Sustainable Food Chain Council, Ph.D. (Commerce), Osaka City University; M.A. in Economics, Yokohama National University, 1985
Formerly at The Distribution Economics Institute of Japan, Niigata University. His areas of expertise are distribution theory and distribution policy theory. He conducts research on distribution from a social perspective, such as food loss and waste reduction, and works on the relationship with the community, environment, and welfare.
Speakers EXPO SGGW
Seiya Sato
Specializing in virology with expertise in immunology, clinical pathology, and bacteriology.
Dr. Seiya Sato is a specialist in virology, with expertise in immunology, clinical pathology, and bacteriology. His research focuses on the development of vaccines and diagnostic methods for infectious diseases, including hepatitis, AIDS, and influenza. He has contributed to the creation of antiviral compositions and virus detection technologies. His work also involves studying virus-host interactions and developing antiviral plant-based solutions.
Dr. Sato has led and participated in international research collaborations, including with Cambridge University and the University of Tokyo, and was instrumental in establishing the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Sri Lanka. He has published extensively in scientific journals and regularly presents at international virology conferences. His current activities include mentoring young researchers, promoting science-industry collaboration, and developing innovative approaches to disease prevention. He also serves on national health advisory boards and plays a key role in shaping vaccine policy and strategy in Japan.
チーム Team
prof. Marta Mendel
Vice-Rector for Internationalization SGGW
prof. Magdalena Vaverková
researcher supervising the content part of the conference
prof. Mohamed Kalaji
researcher supervising the content part of the conference
Katarzyna Specjalska
Head of the International Relations Office
Monika Dyląg-Sajór
Head of the Promotion Office
Lidia Turska
conference organisation Promotion Office
Paulina Siedlecka
communication cooperation Promotion Office
International Relations Office staff responsible for organising the matchmaking session.
