Kose Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, President: Kazutoshi Kobayashi) is supporting the Kose Cosmetology Research Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation (Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Chairperson: Kazutoshi Kobayashi), as part of its social contribution efforts through research. On November 28, 2024, the foundation held the "35th Award Presentation Ceremony" at the Palace Hotel Tokyo (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) to honor researchers receiving research grants. This year, in addition to previous research grants, a public call for research on the theme of "Rejuvenation Research through Cell Reprogramming" was conducted in response to the growing social interest in this research area, resulting in a decision to grant each of the four researchers 30 million yen for specific topic research over three years.

Specific Topic Research Grant Awardees

From left, Naoya Takayama from Chiba University (Photo shows proxy Tsutomu Mukai) | Shinsuke Oba from Osaka University |
Chairperson Kazutoshi Kobayashi of the Kose Cosmetology Research Foundation | Kose Corporation
Director and Research Institute Head Atsuko Ogura | Satoshi Nakamizo from Kyoto University | Daisuke Nanba from Tottori University

Kose Cosmetology Encouragement Award Recipients
Yukiya Kitayama from Osaka Metropolitan University.

Recipient of the Cosmetic Research Grant.

The Kose Cosmetic Research Foundation was established in 1990 by Takasaburo Kobayashi, the founder of Kose, with the aim of contributing to the improvement of public health and hygiene and to the realization of a beautiful and rich human life by providing grants for research on cosmetology (cosmetic science), which spans diverse and extensive interdisciplinary fields. Since then, it has awarded grants annually for outstanding research in a wide range of academic fields related to cosmetics.

This year, Yukiya Kitayama from Osaka Metropolitan University was honored with the 'Kose Cosmetic Research Encouragement Award' for outstanding achievements among the research funded in recent years. Additionally, from 114 applications received from universities, hospitals, and public research institutions across the country for the 'Cosmetic Research Grant,' 32 researchers were awarded grants following a rigorous review by the selection committee.

In addition to the above, this year a public call for applications was made for 'Specific Research Grants' focusing on aging, which is a significant issue in cosmetology, with the theme of 'Rejuvenation Research through Cell Reprogramming.' Research on cell reprogramming is expected to provide new solutions to various problems associated with aging, and as represented by iPS cell research, many basic research and applied studies aimed at regenerative medicine have been advanced. For this grant, it was decided to award 30 million yen over three years to each of the four researchers selected from 15 applications received from universities and research institutions nationwide through a rigorous review process.

◇2024 Kose Cosmetic Research Encouragement Award Recipients (Honorifics omitted)
Affiliated Institution, Name, Research Topic.

Yukiya Kitayama, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Public Universities, Department of Materials Chemistry and Life Science.
Creation of a novel sunscreen capsule utilizing natural polymer.
(2020, 31st Cosmetology Research Grant Award Winner).

◇ 2024 academic year specific research grant recipient for "Research on rejuvenation through cell reprogramming" (respectful title omitted).
Affiliated Institution, Name, Research Topic.

Shinsuke Oba, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University.
Examination of the presence of Bone-Skin axis in individual aging.

Naoya Takayama, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Innovation Regenerative Medicine.
An innovative approach to preventing skin aging through precursor cell reprogramming technology.

Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine Advanced Medical Infrastructure Joint Research Course - Satoshi Nakamizo.
Research on the reversibility of aging in skin constituent cells targeting epigenetics.

Tottori University Faculty of Medicine - Daisuke Namba.
Research on the rejuvenation of human epidermal stem cells through cell reprogramming mediated by the cytoskeleton.

For information regarding the recipients of the cosmetology research grant, please check the reference information (PDF).

■ Katsutoshi Kobayashi, Chairman's Greeting Summary.

When the foundation was established in 1990, it was deemed necessary for the development of cosmetic science to integrate a wide range of fields such as natural sciences, including chemicals and biology, as well as psychology, culture, and the arts. This was named "cosmetrology" and has since become the name of the foundation.
So far, the foundation has accumulated outcomes through support for cosmetology research activities. This year, the total number of grants awarded since its establishment has just surpassed 1000, with a cumulative total of 1.5 billion yen. Today, the foundation is holding its 35th award and presentation ceremony.
Looking at the cosmetics market, the rising beauty consciousness among men is leading to the dissolution of the fixed notion that 'cosmetics are for women only.' Additionally, the age range of cosmetic users has expanded from young children to the elderly, and now cosmetics have become beneficial for people's beauty and health throughout their lives, regardless of gender or age. Furthermore, cosmetics are being used for the prevention and improvement of allergies, bridging the gap with the medical field and expanding their world.
And this time, it is hoped that the research of all the award recipients will produce new results as cosmetology, addressing the wishes of those who have high expectations for cosmetics in the near future. The foundation will continue to steadily advance toward realizing a beautiful and rich life for people and the development of the cosmetic industry.

■Masuo Iwahashi, Chairperson of the Selection Committee, Report on the Selection Process Summary

First, a report will be given on the selection process for the "Specific Topic Research Grant." The specific topic research grant is a new grant program by the foundation, calling for research themes in the field of cosmetology that are expected to develop in the future. This year's application theme is "Research on Rejuvenation through Cellular Reprogramming," which has become a very challenging theme for the foundation. This time, 15 applications were received for this specific topic. Regarding the submitted topics, the selection committee conducted a rigorous and fair review considering originality, potential for development, practicality, relevance to cosmetology, and the overall evaluation of the research plan, ultimately receiving approval from the board to select the 4 grant topics being awarded today. Looking at the selected topics, four unique research approaches were gathered for one public application theme. Each incorporates innovative ideas and cutting-edge research, and it is expected that the research of the four recipients will set a new trend as 'rejuvenation research' targeted by cosmetology.
Next, a report will be given on the selection process for the "Cosmetology Research Grant." As in previous years, the grant was solicited in three fields: "Material and Physical Properties," "Biological Effects and Safety," and "Mental and Cultural Aspects." As a result, this year's total number of applications from all three fields was 114. The submitted research topics underwent preliminary selection in three subcommittees by field. During the preliminary selection, a strict review was conducted based on the originality, potential for development, practicality, and relevance to cosmetology, along with the overall evaluation of the entire project. Following this, candidates were selected by the selection committee based on the preliminary selection results, and ultimately received board approval to select the 32 research topics being awarded today.
The research topics that will be awarded this time can be said to combine cutting-edge science and technology with unique concepts from cosmetology, providing an exciting expansion of cosmetics as a science.