<March 8th-14th is World Glaucoma Week>
From "reading" academic papers to "consuming" them.
Tohoku University's "Thesis Recipe®" and Rohto Pharmaceutical's "ROHTO RECIPE" collaborate to offer a new menu.
In response to the "changes in eating behavior" confirmed at the Community Health Lab, we are implementing initiatives to support health through food.
February 27, 2026
Rohto Wellcourt Co., ROHTO Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President: Hidetoshi Segi), has partnered with Tohoku University COI-NEXT "Vision to Connect" Center (Location: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Project Leader: Toru Nakazawa) and From In Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Representative: Sakurako Sasaki) to offer a limited menu in collaboration with "Thesis Recipe®" from Friday, March 6th to Tuesday, March 31st, 2026 at the ROHTO RECIPE Umeda NU Chayamachi Plus Cafe & Restaurant and the "PICKS" cafe in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture.
This initiative stems from the "changes in eating behavior" identified in user surveys at the "Community Health Lab," and aims to move from measurement to behavioral change and its implementation in daily eating habits. It will be implemented in conjunction with World Glaucoma Week as part of awareness-raising activities to promote the early detection of glaucoma.
Background of the initiative
The "Community Health Lab," a collaborative project between Tohoku University Hospital, Rohto Pharmaceutical, and AEON Tohoku, is a socially implemented initiative that allows people to self-check their eye and overall health along their daily routines. It is part of the activities of the JST Co-creation Platform Formation Support Program (COI-NEXT) "Vision to Connect" hub. The aim is to enable early detection of diseases through measurements and to create a system that encourages changes in people's awareness and behavior. Since its opening on July 18, 2024, approximately 16,000 people have used the lab in about a year and a half.
In a web-based survey conducted from August to October 2025 with 368 users, approximately 70% of the 214 respondents who reported experiencing some kind of behavioral change after the measurement showed changes in their eating habits, such as "becoming more conscious of their health when choosing foods" and "buying more vegetables" *1. This suggests that various triggers for becoming health-conscious are leading to changes in daily food choices.
Based on these results, we realized the need for a concrete mechanism to ensure that the changes in awareness are not just temporary but lead to sustainable behavior. Therefore, we have partnered with Tohoku University's "Thesis Recipe®" to offer a limited-time menu.
*1: Web survey conducted from August to October 2025 targeting 368 users.
What is a research paper recipe?
This recipe was developed through industry-academia collaboration at Tohoku University's COI-NEXT "Vision to Connect" center (JST Co-creation Platform Formation Support Program (COI-NEXT) "Empowerment Social Co-creation Center that Supports Human Connections and Self-Realization Starting from 'Visibility'"), and is a recipe for enjoying foods containing nutrients that have been published in research papers as being related to health.
Overview of the initiative
| What we offer |
"Thesis Recipe®" Collaboration Limited Menu |
| Participating stores |
ROHTO RECIPE Umeda NU Chayamachi Plus Store, PICKS (Sendai) * |
|
Based on research papers that have provided evidence of the benefits of certain ingredients, we have developed a menu using specialty products from Miyagi and Sendai prefectures as common ingredients.
Beet ruby potato salad, swordfish seared over straw and young bamboo shoots with shikwasa sauce, pork tongue with Sendai celery and new onions in sweet and sour sauce, spring cabbage and hohotake mushrooms with oyster miso dressing, zunda tofu (with black garlic and wasabi sauce), scones or ten-grain rice, seasonal soup
|
| Offer period |
March 6th (Friday) – March 31st (Tuesday), 2026 |
| price |
1,580 yen (tax included) |
※PICKSでは別メニュー、別価格での提供となります。詳細はPICKSへ直接お問い合わせください。（022-263-5820）
What is ROHTO RECIPE?
"ROHTO RECIPE" opened in January 2023, and its brand concept is "Feeling energized from the bottom of your stomach." It offers a delicious, healthy, and sustainable food experience by blending ingredients and cooking methods in a way that is uniquely Rohto, tailored to each individual and at each moment. Starting with food, it aims to become a well-being food community where people who share this philosophy can connect.
Store Information
| Store name |
ROHTO RECIPE Umeda NU Chayamachi Plus Store |
| location |
NU Chayamachi PLUS 2nd Floor, 8-26 Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture |
| Opening hours |
11:00-22:00（L.O. 21:00）／TEL:06-6131-8071 |
About World Glaucoma Week
World Glaucoma Week is an international event held simultaneously worldwide since 2008 to raise awareness of glaucoma. Every year, one week in early March is designated as World Glaucoma Week, and various awareness activities are conducted according to the specific circumstances of each country and region. In 2026, it is scheduled to be held from March 8th to 14th.
- "Thesis Recipe" is a registered trademark of Tohoku University.