Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) has launched the enjoyable nutrition education game app "Mogumogu Town" on smartphones and tablets starting from Monday, February 19.

Against the backdrop of recent changes in the environment surrounding health, food, and the digitization of society, the Japanese Government's Fourth Basic Plan for Promoting Shokuiku (Food Education)*¹ has prioritized the promotion of food education that responds to the "new normal" and digitization. Moreover, due to changes in the social environment, the increased time spent at home and the growing opportunities for families to contemplate food have become a catalyst for reexamining dietary habits. As a result, the significance of food education within the household has risen. Therefore, in addition to face-to-face food education, there is an increasing demand for the effective integration of digital technology, promoting a diverse and expansive approach to fostering nutritional awareness.

Otsuka has historically been involved in developing nutritional supplements and food education activities and has now developed the food education game app "Mogumogu Town." Utilizing Sony Network Communications Inc's meal image analysis AI technology and the unique menu ingredient database from asken Inc., we aim to provide an enjoyable and daily experience for families to learn about food and nutrition while communicating at home.

This app lets users photograph their meals using their smartphone or tablet cameras. The app recognizes the ingredients used in the meal, and the character "Mogumin" appears in augmented reality (AR)*². As the town's mayor, users can answer quiz questions, recruit "Mogumin" characters as companions, and develop "Mogumogu Town." Through this process, users can learn about the importance of meals and nutritional balance and enjoy discovering healthy points and trivia about each ingredient.

① When users photograph their meal with the camera, the ingredient character "Mogumin" appears in augmented reality (AR).

② There are up to 250,000 uniquely charming "Mogumin" characters through combinations of up to 100 ingredients and facial features.

③ "After discovering a "Mogumin" character, users will be presented with a quiz related to food. Answer the question to recruit more "Mogumin" companions.

④ The collected "Mogumin" companions are categorized into three color-coded food groups based on the distinctive functions of nutrients found in the food. They are cataloged like an encyclopedia, allowing users to have fun learning about the nutritional features, seasons, and actual shapes of each ingredient.

⑤ As the number of "Mogumin" companions increases, "Mogumogu Town" progressively grows.

Overview: Users take on the role of the town mayor, collecting the hidden ingredient "Mogumin" characters in their daily meals. "Mogumogu Town" is a food education game application that allows users to learn about meals and nutrition in a fun way while developing their town.

Supervision: Japan Sports Nutrition Association

Release Date: February 19, 2024 (Monday)

Website URL: https://mogumogu-town.jp/ (in Japanese)

Usage Instruction Video URL: https://youtu.be/ODnXPVfUW1k (in Japanese)

Recommended Download Environment: iOS 16.0 and above, Android 11.0 and above

Download URL：

（iOS）：https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id6474555784

（Android）：https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.otsuka.mogumogutown

In addition, "Mogumin" from "Mogumogu Town" makes an appearance in the "Mogumogu Town Karuta" card game, available for download from the website. It's a fun way to learn about food trivia and seasonal information while playing.

URL：https://mogumogu-town.jp/mogumogu-karuta.pdf (in Japanese)