Kikkoman, a major food company in Japan, has entered into a collaborative research agreement with Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) on December 9th, marking the company's first partnership with a humanities university. This innovative collaboration invites doctoral students to investigate the relationship between linguistics and the concept of 'deliciousness'. Four selected candidates will receive research funding from both TUFS and Kikkoman, initiating their studies in May and presenting their findings in October.

Yoshihisa Kitakura, an executive at Kikkoman, expressed the company's intention to analyze the non-quantifiable aspects of 'deliciousness' through linguistics, hoping to gain insights that could enhance their promotional strategies and product development. The journey to understand 'what deliciousness truly means' has led Kikkoman researchers to engage with various stakeholders, including chefs and photographers, and conduct surveys to refine their inquiries. Ultimately, they concluded that collaborating with linguistics experts from TUFS, where around 700 students from approximately 80 countries are enrolled, could provide valuable perspectives on the cultural nuances surrounding Kikkoman's products distributed in over 100 countries.

On the other hand, TUFS has had limited involvement in industry-academia partnerships, with President Nobuo Haruna noting a historical belief that the humanities should maintain a certain distance from practical applications. However, he acknowledges the significant potential of this agreement, particularly as many students and researchers are motivated by a curiosity about food and its cultural implications as they study different regions. The collaboration is hailed by President Haruna as aligning closely with research and educational interests, indicating a promising step forward in enhancing the university's engagement with the industry.