Abe Fumiaki (阿部 文明), an Ibaraki University graduate and fellow at Morinaga Milk Industry, gave a lecture at the Agricultural Faculty to mark receiving the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor in spring 2026. He told students about his contributions around the world, including the development of manufacturing technology for viable Bifidobacterium powder and concentrated bacterial cells.
Abe Fumiaki (阿部 文明), a graduate of the Graduate School of Agriculture at Ibaraki University and a fellow at Morinaga Milk Industry, gave a lecture at the Agricultural Faculty after receiving the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor. The lecture was planned for 24 October, during the Agricultural Faculty's campus festival, the “Kuwakō Festival,” and was held for students as a homecoming lecture hosted by the alumni association. Abe Fumiaki (阿部 文明) spoke about his career as a researcher and the significance of “taking on challenges with resolve.”
After completing the master's program at the Graduate School of Agriculture at Ibaraki University in 1987, Abe Fumiaki (阿部 文明) joined Morinaga Milk Industry. He engaged in research and development focused mainly on manufacturing technology for viable Bifidobacterium powder and obtained a doctorate in agricultural science in 2009. He currently serves as an R&D fellow, and the Purple Ribbon Medal of Honor was awarded in recognition of his outstanding achievements in science and technology.
Abe Fumiaki (阿部 文明) developed manufacturing technology for viable Bifidobacterium powder, contributing to the health of infants through applications including powdered milk. He established a process with high resistance to freezing and drying, advanced technology enabling storage at room temperature, and developed concentrated bacterial cells designed to maintain high activity under frozen conditions, leading to commercialization and wider adoption.
With a focus on global activities, a 1995 experience at an international conference in New Zealand marked a turning point, after which he adopted a policy of expanding the business worldwide and became more active in attending overseas trade fairs and visiting companies from 1997 onward. He also participated in obtaining HALAL certification and developing international rules concerning measurement methods, promoting efforts to bring Japanese products and technologies to international markets.