[Program Registration] Experiential Animal Welfare Education Program for Organizations and Corporations
- Learning & Development
- #Animal Welfare
- #Business and Human Rights
- #Circular Economy
- #Sustainable Procurement
05/15/2025
In January 2025, the “Unshelled” animal welfare model poultry house, developed by Professor Tsuyoshi Shimmura of the Graduate School of Agriculture at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, was completed at the university’s Fuchu Campus. Inspired by advanced poultry housing models in the Netherlands, this facility is designed as a hub for both research on animal welfare and education on sustainable livestock practices. The vision behind Unshelled is rooted in the "One Welfare" concept—an integrated approach that considers the wellbeing of animals, people, and the planet as interconnected. The name “Unshelled” symbolizes both the transparency of the facility, where visitors can observe egg-laying hens in an open environment from a dedicated viewing room, and a commitment to innovation that breaks away from conventional frameworks to foster groundbreaking research and ideas. Since July 2023, Lively has been collaborating with Professor Shimmura to co-develop an experiential education program for corporations and organizations. The program officially launched in May 2025, offering a rare and pioneering opportunity to explore the intersection of scientific animal welfare knowledge and practical business applications. This initiative stands as one of the few of its kind globally and represents a leading-edge effort in animal welfare education.
目次
A 90-Minute Encounter with the Emotions of Hens
An immersive experience to reflect on the future of sustainable food, set in a lush, green campus
This program is an experiential animal welfare education program for corporations and organizations, utilizing the “Unshelled” model poultry house designed for animal welfare research and education. Through guided tours of the facility, hands-on egg gathering, and dialogue sessions in a purpose-built observation room, participants gain direct insight into the often unseen realities of egg-laying hens and the four main housing systems used in production:
・Conventional cages
・Enriched cages
・Multitier aviaries
・Free-range systems
A key feature of this program is the observation room built inside the poultry house—an exceptionally rare structure in Japan. It allows for safe and hygienic observation while maintaining strict biosecurity, including avian influenza prevention measures.
The program is designed based on the internationally recognized “Five Freedoms” of animal welfare. By comparing different housing systems, participants learn about the welfare and productivity characteristics of each environment in a scientific and interactive way.
In addition to understanding the benefits of cage-free and welfare-conscious practices, participants will also explore the practical challenges faced by producers during cage-free transitions, analyze gaps between global demands and consumer expectations, and examine real-world case studies from a business perspective.
The program also includes a corporate sustainability lecture, connecting animal welfare to broader themes such as:
・Sustainable strategy development
・Investor and stakeholder disclosure
・Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of livestock products
・Procurement policy reform
・Brand value enhancement
・New business opportunities
・Designing behavioral incentives
This program offers a unique opportunity to reflect on how companies can contribute to building sustainable food systems and transition toward positive, future-oriented business models.
Flexible Program Tailored to Participant Interests
We offer a flexible, customizable program designed to meet the unique goals and interests of each participating organization or group. Based on a pre-program consultation, we tailor the content to ensure a meaningful and relevant experience. Below is the structure of our standard 90-minute program:
・Orientation
・Lecture ①: Current Status and Challenges in Animal Welfare(Presented by an expert in Animal Welfare Science)
・Lecture ②: Risks and Opportunities of Animal Welfare from a Business Perspective(Presented by Lively)
・Optional Walkthrough of Local Resource Circulation Facilities and Program Dismissal On-site
・Facility Tour: Understanding Chicken Emotions and the Four Housing Systems
・Hands-on Egg Collection Experience
・Q&A and Dialogue Session
Program Details
Location: “Unshelled” Model Poultry House
Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Fuchu Campus
Target Audience: Corporate and organizational representatives involved in:
・Executive leadership
・Corporate planning
・Sustainability initiatives
・New business development
・Procurement and sourcing
・Human resources, training, and talent development
We also welcome participants from organizations interested in the broader theme of sustainable food systems, not just animal welfare.
Group Size: Approximately 5 to 30 participants
Schedule: Weekdays (Dates to be arranged based on mutual availability)
Duration: Standard program: Approximately 90 minutes
Cost: Paid program Fees vary depending on the program content and number of participants.
For more information, please contact us via the email addresses below.
Contact Information
・For corporate/organizational participation inquiries and registration: info@livelyjp.com (Lively LLC)
・For academic, educational, or media-related inquiries: shimmura@go.tuat.ac.jp (Shimmura Lab, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)
Note: The key visual is for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual appearance of the Unshelled.
Message from the Project Member
In the past, poultry farming was a familiar part of everyday life. Today, within our modern food systems, even basic questions like “Where do eggs come from?” or “What happens to the hens afterward?” have gradually faded from the awareness of both businesses and consumers. The “Unshelled” animal welfare model poultry house was created to challenge this reality. By opening up actual farming environments to the public, it offers a rare opportunity to re-examine industry practices and explore egg production methods that are both aligned with international trends and suitable for Japan’s context. This program leverages Unshelled as a learning platform where participants can explore different housing systems, engage in expert-led lectures, and participate in thoughtful dialogue. It provides a multi-dimensional understanding of animal welfare and its relevance to real-world decision-making. The content is designed to help participants connect animal welfare with broader corporate priorities—including sustainability management, responsible sourcing strategies, and brand and corporate value across the entire value chain. We warmly invite you to join us in rethinking the future of sustainable food systems—through the lens of your own business. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or consultation requests.
