【コオロギ食え！？】非常に恐ろしいことが起こり始めています。もう、コオロギを食べさせる準備を始めている・・。

Summary

The video script discusses the growing trend of promoting crickets as a source of food in Japan, despite the high costs involved. It highlights the government's interest in crickets for protein supplementation and environmental benefits, even though the farming of crickets is expensive and energy-intensive. The script raises concerns about the safety of feeding crickets, especially considering the use of food waste in their diet and the potential for allergic reactions. It questions the social acceptance of eating insects and challenges the economic feasibility of large-scale cricket farming, urging viewers to consider the long-term implications of this trend.

Takeaways

• 😀 The government is promoting crickets as a food source despite the high costs of production, which are several times more expensive than traditional livestock and fish farming.
• 😀 Tokushima University is a key player in cricket research, focusing on Nissei crickets as a next-generation protein source and exploring innovative breeding techniques to reduce costs.
• 😀 The idea of using crickets as a protein source is based on the need to address protein shortages, but the high production costs and energy usage raise concerns.
• 😀 Although crickets are an omnivorous species, breeding them at large scale is challenging due to the risk of cannibalism and the need for carefully controlled environments.
• 😀 The concept of using food waste, such as leftovers from soybean or flour production, to feed crickets is being explored, but raises questions about the safety and nutritional value of such practices.
• 😀 There's a push to introduce cricket-based food to children, starting at an early age, as their taste preferences are shaped between 6 and 8 years old.
• 😀 Despite the promotion of crickets, the social acceptance of eating insects remains low, which poses a challenge to widespread adoption in food culture.
• 😀 Automating cricket breeding processes is seen as essential for reducing labor costs, but this raises ethical concerns about efficiency over safety and sustainability.
• 😀 There is a contradiction in the government's messaging, as they push for eating crickets as a solution to food crises, yet simultaneously feed them food waste instead of addressing potential food shortages directly.
• 😀 The commercialization of cricket-based products is largely driven by ventures associated with Tokushima University, raising questions about the necessity and the potential profits behind the push for insect-based food.
• 😀 The long-term safety and environmental impact of crickets as a food source remain uncertain, and this lack of clarity highlights the need for more research and public communication.

Q & A

Why is the government promoting crickets as a food source despite its high cost compared to traditional livestock farming?

The government sees crickets as a promising next-generation protein source that could help address future food shortages and environmental challenges. Although the costs are high, the potential benefits of crickets, such as their efficient use of resources and their possible role in the 'Moonshot Research and Development Program,' drive the push for their adoption.

What are the main challenges in cricket farming that are highlighted in the script?

The primary challenges in cricket farming include the high cost of rearing crickets, particularly due to energy consumption for temperature control, and the underdeveloped breeding techniques. Additionally, the need for cost reduction and more efficient mass production methods, including automation, are also significant concerns.

How do the costs of raising crickets compare to traditional livestock like cows and pigs?

Raising crickets is currently several times more expensive than raising cows or pigs due to the high energy costs required for temperature control and the complexity of breeding methods. Despite this, there is an ongoing push to make cricket farming more cost-effective.

Why is there a social resistance to eating insects, especially crickets?

Social resistance stems from cultural norms and discomfort with eating insects. Many people are not accustomed to insect-based diets, and the idea of consuming crickets, especially when fed food waste, raises concerns about safety and hygiene, leading to low social acceptance.

What is the connection between crickets and food waste, as mentioned in the script?

The script highlights that crickets are being fed food waste, such as soybean residue and wheat by-products. The idea is to recycle food waste into a useful protein source. However, this raises concerns about the safety and ethics of feeding crickets leftovers before they are consumed by humans.

What are the potential long-term risks of consuming crickets, as discussed in the script?

The potential risks of consuming crickets include the possibility of allergic reactions, which may develop over time as people repeatedly consume them. The long-term effects of consuming insects, particularly those fed food waste, are still unclear, which adds an element of uncertainty to their safety.

What role does Tokushima University play in cricket research, and what are their goals?

Tokushima University is a leading institution in cricket research, with the goal of developing crickets as a viable protein source. They are researching ways to reduce rearing costs, improve breeding techniques, and create innovative systems for large-scale cricket production. They are also exploring the use of food waste in raising crickets.

How are automation and advanced technology being used to address the challenges in cricket farming?

Automation, including technology from J-TEC, is being developed to reduce labor costs associated with feeding, sorting, and maintaining crickets. The goal is to create an efficient, large-scale cricket farming system that can overcome current challenges related to space utilization and high labor costs.

What does the script suggest about the government's lack of clear communication regarding the risks of new food sources like crickets?

The script points out that, similar to past experiences with the messenger RNA vaccine, there is insufficient explanation from the government about the potential risks of introducing crickets as a food source. The long-term health and environmental effects are unclear, and the public has not been adequately informed about the risks.

Why is there concern about introducing crickets into school lunches, as mentioned in the script?

There is concern about the safety and ethics of introducing crickets into school lunches, especially when the breeding techniques and the safety of consuming food waste-fed crickets have not been fully established. Additionally, the idea of normalizing insect consumption from a young age, without thorough public discourse, raises fears about social and psychological impacts.