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Winners of O-CHA Pioneer Award 2019

Academic Research Award

Excellent academic research related to tea

UNNO Keiko, Ph.D.

(Associate Professor of Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka)

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Research on prevention of brain aging and stress reduction by green tea

She elucidated the mechanism by which green tea catechin activates brain nerve cells to prevent brain aging and dementia. Furthermore, she contributed to the progress of research on aging prevention by green tea, showing that green tea theanine acts on the suppression of brain aging through stress reduction.


 

Culture and Arts Award

Outstanding achievements in tea culture and art

IDE Nobuko

(Visual designer, Ranji researcher)

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Research of Ranji, the exporting tea label

As a visual designer and a researcher, she has investigated more than 3,000 pieces of Ranji labels and spread it not only to the people in tea industry but also to the general people. Her research of Ranji is a great clue to the industrial history and cultural background of tea.


 

CHAllenge Award

Ambitious efforts to drive the future of tea

ACT FOR. Co, LTD

(Representative, Ohta Natsuki)

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Product development and the sales to spread the scent of Shizuoka tea to the world

The company developed the natural green tea aromatic distilled water recovery device with a machine maker. They succeeded in extracting and concentrating natural green tea aroma for the first time in history. The new tea business that uses the scent of tea is gathering attention.


 

O-CHA Special Award

Excellent global achievements related to tea and the contribution of spreading Japanese tea

FUSO INDUSTRIES CO., LTD

(Representative, Suzuki Yasuhiko)

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Pioneer of high-quality tea bag manufacturing machines

The company was the first in the world to sell an automatic packing machine for triangular pyramidal tea bags. Tea bag manufacturing machines suitable for high-quality green tea, such as nitrogen gas-filled individual packaging manufacturing machines, have been evaluated in Japan and overseas, and are currently in operation in 55 countries around the world. (as of 2019)


 

Louise ROBERGE

(The former president of Tea and Herbal Association of Canada)

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The long-term success for the development of the global tea industry

She worked as a president of Tea and Herbal Association of Canada for 18 years, and was a leader in the global tea industry. She has been contributed to international tea trade and education, human resource development activities. Her heartful attitude beyond the difference in position between tea-producing and consuming countries has been supported by many people. We admire her long-term hard work as a leader of global tea industry.


 

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Award ceremony of 2019 O-CHA Pioneer Award (10th of May, 2019)

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The award plaque was conferred to Ms. Louise Roberge by Mr. Tanimoto, the Vice President of Japan Tea Exporters' Asson. (At Tronto, Canada. 23rd of Sep., 2019)