Nutrition as National Defense: Japan's Imperial Government Institute for Nutrition, 1920–1940

What is it about?

In 1920, Japan opened the world’s first government-sponsored nutrition laboratory. The Imperial Government Institute for Nutrition (IGIN) was the flagship institution of Japan’s project of national nutrition, in other words, the use of nutrition science to improve national strength and security.

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Why is it important?

Japan was a world leader in nutrition science in the 1920s and 1930s. At home, this was seen as a glorious national victory: Japan had surpassed the West in scientific modernity, and now Western scientists and governments were learning from Japan rather than the other way around. The IGIN was at the center of this triumph.