Marbling is one of the most important traits determining the quality of Wagyu beef. Graders assess it by comparing the marbling on the carcass to Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) photos. I've devoted the past 30 years to studying computer image analysis of marbling, and I've developed and commercialized digital carcass cameras, including mirror-equipped models. Those models are used abroad as well as in Japan and have come to be seen as standard photographic apparatuses for beef marbling evaluation. I founded Meat Image Japan (MIJ), a general incorporated association, in 2013 to spread the beef quality evaluation technology I'd develop to the world. I also developed an instantaneous analysis system that can capture cross-sectional images suitable for analysis even in narrow spaces. I created MIJ Labo, a venture spinoff from the Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, in 2018 to step up the promotion of these technologies. A newly developed MIJ camera system was launched in the Australian market, paving the way for a new beef quality evaluation method that uses image analysis to gain global currency. I'm working to develop an apparatus that measures palatability traits for carcasses based on a combination of image analysis and spectroscopic analysis. My ultimate goal is to analyze large volumes of information using breeding techniques to enable the selection of prime seed bulls and the production of top-quality beef cattle.
Mirror-equipped camera and MIJ camera Beef marbling standard
List of current research topics
Wagyu improvement project by comprehensive index using image analysis
Comprehensive studies by physicochemical analysis and cross sectional image analysis of carcasses to improve market competitiveness of Japan short horn species
Adaptability study on feeding management manual for beef cattle research
Study on high-resolution image feedback of Tokachi Wagyu
Analysis of carcass cross-sectional images of cattle carcasses and their breeding value evaluation
Objective evaluation method by image analysis of US Wagyu cattle
Study for development of lean meat evaluation device by spectroscopic analysis based on consumer preference
Study on meat quality evaluation by image analysis in Australia
Related industries
Animal husbandry, Meat industry
Affiliated academic society
Japanese Society of Animal Science, Society of Beef Cattle Science
Academic degree
D.Agr.
Self introduction
It's been three decades since I started photographing meat. I've devoted myself to objectively analyzing the images for breed improvement. Feel free to contact me with any photography requests.
obihiro.ac.jp 
