Yukako Saito
President – JINOWA Consortium, Italy
Co-founder – JIEN LP, Japan
Yukako Saito is at the forefront of community-based education and sustainability efforts, bridging Europe and Japan. She currently holds the position of President at the JINOWA Consortium Italy, directing her efforts towards ecosystem restoration through sustainable practices in gastronomy, fashion, and architecture.
Additionally, she serves as the Co-founder of JIEN LP Japan and is the Founder of the Genuine Education Network (GEN) in Italy, in addition to becoming an IGCAT Expert.
An authority in regional development and international communication strategies, Yukako advises local governments, NGOs, companies, and food producers. Her expertise lies in leveraging gastronomy, regional cultural education, and regenerative tourism to tackle global sustainability challenges.
Transitioning from a career in internet marketing and IT business development, Yukako pursued her passion for sustainability, relocating to Italy in 2013. She holds an MA in Food Culture Communication & Marketing and advocates for the use of traditional ecological knowledge to transform food resources sustainably.
Presently based in Alba, Piemonte, Northern Italy, Yukako is deeply engaged in intercultural projects aimed at ecosystem restoration and human well-being. In 2021, she expanded her focus to soil ecosystem regeneration through sustainability in food, fashion, and architecture, founding the JINOWA Consortium. Her projects, such as the JINEN Circular Architecture Project at the Venice Biennale and the “Toiletowa” 100% loop bio-flush toilet innovation in Japan, have gained recognition.
Apart from her leadership roles, Yukako contributes to academia as a lecturer in gastronomic tourism at Kyoto University of the Arts and Rikkyo University. She has organized and led numerous educational initiatives in gastronomic subjects, including field studies and lectures at the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and Kyoto University in Japan.
Yukako firmly believes that expanding our understanding of local resources across cultures can secure food sovereignty through global education initiatives. She is committed to driving positive change and welcomes connections to explore collaborative opportunities.
11 July 2024
