Professor MIYASHITA Homei of the Department of Frontier Media Science, School of Interdisciplinary Mathematical Sciences in collaboration with Kirin Holdings, Co., Ltd. has been awarded the Grand Prix in the Future Potential Category of the Intellectual Property Ranking. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the award ceremony was held at Miraikan Hall on the 7th floor of Miraikan, National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in Odaiba, Tokyo, and Professor MIYASHITA and his research team members took to the stage to receive the award.
The Intellectual Property Ranking is an award, in which judges, including Chizaizukan Inc. and its intellectual property hunters, independently select and honor intellectual property, such as excellent technologies, services and ideas that have the potential to shape the future.
The Electric Salt series, which won the Grand Prix, is a tableware device that applies electro-taste technology to enhance the saltiness and umami of meals using a weak electric current. Designed to enrich the dining experiences of those who need to monitor their salt intake, the series was recognized for its innovation and the high expectations for its practical application in society, leading to its Grand Prix win in the Future Potential Category. This series, featuring the new Electric Salt Cup and the upgraded Electric Salt Spoon launched in 2025 at electronics retailers and other outlets, has received numerous awards, including the 2025 Good Design Gold Award and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award at the Well-being & Age-Tech 2025 Award.
Comment from Professor MIYASHITA Homei
The Electric Salt series is equipped with electro-taste technology, which uses electrical stimulation to alter taste perception. One application of this technology is addressing the challenge of reducing salt intake. It also has the potential to create new flavors, new forms of food experiences, and new values. The MIYASHITA laboratory will continue to advance the development of these technologies. Furthermore, electro-taste research and the electro-taste industry are fields in which Japan leads the world. We hope people will pay close attention to the future potential.