Researchers from the BIRTE research group looked at how different fiscal policies contributed to reducing the carbon emissions, water use and food waste generated by food consumption. They concluded that a generalized increase in taxes on all products is not as effective as differential taxing or subsidising of each food category. They also stated the importance of designing different policies according to the objectives to be achieved.

A research group led by Associate Professor Takashi Kikuchi and Professor Wei Li from the Department of Pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, along with Professor Atsushi Sugiyama from the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine and Industry-Academia Collaboration Advisor Katsuhiko Ito, has analyzed the chemical compounds of the roots of Codonopsis lanceolata (commonly known as “Tsuruninjin”) grown in Nagano Prefecture. Their findings have revealed the compounds of the plant and, in particular, demonstrated that its major compound, lancemaside A, exhibits vasodilatory effects, suggesting that Codonopsis lanceolata could be effectively utilized as a health-promoting material in the future.

This research was published in the academic journal Chemistry on January 6, 2025.