共食がもたらす健康を考える、1月のロングテーブル

LONG TABLE JAPAN × MIDORI.so

General Incorporated Association Long Table Japan and MIDORI.so will co-host a monthly long table gathering on the fourth Thursday of every month. Around a shared table, people whose work revolves around food—and who seek to create a new future through food—will come together to explore and practice “Food × ○○”.

Eating is a fundamental act that we engage in every day. Precisely because of its essential nature, food is deeply connected to various social issues and the future of our society.

We can't gain energy without eating. We work—in various senses—in order to eat. And if we're going to eat, we want it to be delicious.

From here, we will gather companions to build the future together.

NO EAT, NO WORK

January Long Table: Exploring the Health Benefits of Shared Meals

The theme of the January 2026 Long Table was “Exploring the health benefits of shared meals while enjoying handmade ehōmaki (lucky sushi rolls)”.

This month’s chef was Azusa Osumi, representative of Emari Inc. As a registered dietitian, she is involved in product and recipe development for companies and food manufacturers. At the same time, she is engaged in activities to combat social isolation through community dining and yoga.

What Happened Around the Table

Gathered around the table that day were people connected to fields like food, environment, energy, community, and culture—each from a different perspective. Though the participants were diverse in age and background, there was no tension in the air; even first-time encounters naturally sparked conversation.

As people made ehōmaki together, they exchanged stories about favorite foods, memorable meals with someone special, their work, families, and lives abroad.

Laughter in large circles flowed alongside quieter conversations between two or three people. No one dominated the event, and silences were never awkward. The atmosphere wrapped the entire table in a feeling of simply enjoying being together.

What stood out was that participants weren’t just “guests.” When the ehōmaki had been cut, served, and eaten, someone naturally said, “Shall we clean up together?”—and several people smoothly made their way to the kitchen.

Instead of simply receiving something that had been prepared, they cooked together, ate together, and finished together. This entire shared process became a vital message of the Long Table.

From a Small Dining Table, Slowly into the Future

The Long Table was not a place for debate aimed at finding answers. It was a space where relationships were gently being rewoven.

By placing food at the center, people were able to momentarily set aside titles, roles, achievements, or judgments, and instead share their personal experiences and sensibilities in a relaxed way.

There were no flashy performances or strong messages. And yet, the gathering left behind a quiet afterglow—feelings like “I want to host a table like this in my own place,” or “I want to come back here again.”

The Long Table will continue to be held once a month. From small shared meals, step by step into the future.