On July 31, the Canon Foundation's 7th "Pursuit of Ideals" Symposium was held at the Canon Global Management Institute (CGMI) in Meguro City, Tokyo.

Under its "Pursuit of Ideal" Research Grant Program, the Canon Foundation supports "natural science and technology-centered research projects that serve to pursue social ideals." Researchers receiving grants-in-aid whose studies address "Food," the established topic for 2015-2019, all gathered together at this symposium, where research reports were given and associated discussions were conducted.

Upon commencing the proceedings, Canon Foundation Chairman Hiroyuki Yoshikawa voiced his expectations, stating, "The researchers here are simultaneously being called upon to demonstrate a stance of taking the lead in problem-solving efforts that go beyond their existing studies. I look forward to hearing the presentations of such research findings at this symposium's report meeting as well."

For research reports given at the symposium, five were findings reports for studies that concluded this March and four were interim reports following a year after the pertinent research commenced. Following those reports, a poster session for sixteen reports that also covered progress on other research was held. There, active discussion that involved guest participants as well as Screening Committee members and researchers receiving grants-in-aid took place.

At the end of the report meeting, Chief of the Screening Committee Shinichiro Ogaki offered his general comments on the proceedings and expressed his expectations for the future activities of the researchers who gave reports.

At the social gathering that followed the report meeting, symposium participants interacted animatedly with each other, lending considerable liveliness to the venue.