当你走进日本街头的便利店，你会发现，便利店的显眼货架上往往陈列着各种各样的“功能性食品”。有提神醒脑的，有补充维生素的，有增强免疫力的，功能众多，销量也十分喜人。

When you walk into a convenience store in Japan, you'll notice that the prominent shelves often display a variety of "functional foods." These products range from those that boost alertness to those that supplement vitamins or enhance immunity, each boasting   numerous benefits and impressive sales figures.

无论是从这个随处可见的景象看，还是从具体的行业数据看，日本的功能食品发展情况都可圈可点。这与日本从国家层面推动功能性食品发展有关，同时也与日本不断加剧的人口老龄化离不开关系。

The widespread presence of these products, as well as industry data, highlight the significant development of functional foods in Japan. This growth is driven by national initiatives to promote functional foods and is closely linked to Japan's increasingly   aging population.

在新冠疫情之后，关胜男关注到了这一商机。家人因病的骤然离世，让她坚定了要投身这一领域的决心。2019年，她在日本关西区域创立了公司三泰生物株式会社（以下简称“三泰生物”），而后又因为东京湾更包容的营商环境、更快的信息获取环境而将公司迁移到了东京。

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guan Shengnan recognized this business opportunity. The sudden passing of a family member due to illness solidified her resolve to enter this field. In 2019, she founded Santai Biotech Co., Ltd. ("Santai    Biotech") in the Kansai region of Japan. Later, she relocated the company to Tokyo, attracted by the Tokyo Bay Area's more inclusive business environment and faster access to information.

“我们在东北研发，又在俄罗斯取材，最终在日本生产，在全球销售。”三泰生物株式会社社长关胜男告诉羊城晚报记者。

"We conduct research in northeastern China, source materials from Russia, produce in Japan, and sell globally," Guan Shengnan, the president of Santai Biotech, told reporters from the Yangcheng Evening News.

为东京湾的“信息流”穿越日本
Navigating Japan's information flow through Tokyo Bay

三十多年前，日本在世界上最先造出“功能食品（Functional Food）”的概念，此后在法规、标准的引领下，许多大企业投身创新，屡推新品，日本在功能食品领域也走出了一条分级管理、企业担责、自由竞争的独特路径，行业发展欣欣向荣。

Over thirty years ago, Japan pioneered the concept of "Functional Food" globally. Guided by regulations and standards, many large companies have embraced innovation, frequently launching new products. Japan has developed a unique approach in the   functional food sector characterized by tiered management, corporate responsibility, and free competition, leading to a thriving industry.

2015年，面对日益严重的老龄化负担，日本政府消费者厅颁布实施了世界首创的“功能性食品标示制度”，更进一步释放了企业创新和市场活力。

In 2015, facing the increasing burden of an aging population, Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency introduced the world's first "Food with Function Claims (FFC)" system, further unleashing corporate innovation and market vitality.

“日本的少子高龄化趋势日益严重，在当时，我认为功能性食品市场大有可为。加上人们对健康，尤其对肺部越来越关注，我们决定创立一个健康食品的公司，让人们尽可能不生病。”在关胜男看来，日本这个领域仍然是一片蓝海，于是从2018年起，他们就开始筹备，并开始寻找产品研发的原料。

"The trend of low birth rates and an aging population in Japan was becoming more severe, and I believed the functional food market had great potential. With increasing health concerns, particularly about lung health, we decided to start a health food   company to help people stay as healthy as possible," said Guan Shengnan. She viewed this sector in Japan as a blue ocean, and in2018, they began preparations and started sourcing materials for product development.

关胜男提到，在创立之初，他们位于日本关西区域，起步十分艰难。

Initially, they were based in the Kansai region of Japan, where starting out was quite challenging.

“健康行业里面信息差巨大，有时就算我花了高额的信息费用，也掌控不了，这就让我们很被动。”关胜男告诉记者，后来，在公司另一位合伙人的引荐下，她结识了东京一位知名企业的管理层，同时也被东京的开放包容深深吸引，决定把公司迁到东京。

"There is a significant information gap in the health industry. Even when I spent a lot on information costs, I couldn't always get what I needed, which put us in a passive position," Guan Shengnan explained. Later, through an introduction from   another company partner, she met the management of a well-known company in Tokyo. She was deeply attracted by Tokyo's openness and inclusiveness, leading to the decision to relocate the company to Tokyo.

关胜男提到，在东京，营商环境十分优越，同行业的企业们会相互抱团，为彼此提供最新的资讯。

Guan Shengnan mentioned that Tokyo offers a highly advantageous business environment where companies in the same industry support each other by sharing the latest information.

公开数据显示，纽约、伦敦、东京、巴黎、旧金山、新加坡等城市稳居世界最佳营商环境城市第一梯队，这些城市备受全球最优秀企业和人才的青睐，拥有商业活力、创新潜力、居民幸福感和行政治理等各方面的综合优势。

Public data shows that cities like New York, London, Tokyo, Paris, San Francisco, and Singapore consistently rank at the top for the best business environments globally. These cities attract the world's best companies and talents, boasting various    advantages like commercial vitality, innovation potential, resident happiness, and administrative governance.

依托政府资金支持迅速起步
Rapid start with government funding support

在日本，若干次国家层面的政策调整使其功能性食品标准逐渐清晰，这成为了日本功能性食品发展态势良好的客观原因之一。

In Japan, several national policy adjustments have gradually clarified functional food standards, contributing to the positive development trajectory of the industry.

与此同时，对功能性食品的支持，也给了三泰生物起步的希望。

Furthermore, support for functional food has given Santai Biotech the opportunity to get started.

“我们在日本拿到的第一笔资金，就是日本政府给的产业项目扶持基金。”三泰生物株式会社市场总监Randall告诉记者，在创业初期，他们获得了一笔几百万元人民币的项目扶持资金，因此项目也得以运转。

"The first funding we received in Japan was an industrial project support grant from the Japanese government," Randall, the marketing director of Santai Biotech, told the reporter. In the early stages of their startup, they obtained several   million RMB in project support funding, which allowed the project to operate.

据Randall介绍，该公司的主力产品是围绕花旗松素开发的健康类功能食品，主要原料来自于西伯利亚落叶松。在合作工厂方面，他们找到了一家位于日本岐阜县的工厂，这家工厂同时为明治等著名企业代工产品。

According to Randall, the company's main products are healthy functional foods developed around taxifolin, with the primary raw material sourced from Siberian larch. For their manufacturing needs, they partnered with a factory in Gifu   Prefecture, Japan, which also produces products For renowned companies like Meiji.

“我觉得我们是国际协作的一个样例。相邻的国家之间，分别提供其具有优势的要素禀赋，进行合作推出产品。在日本国内，东京提供智力、信息支持，东京湾的其他城市负责制造、生产，这样的循环是良性、健康、有成效的。”Randall说。

"I think we are an example of international collaboration. Neighboring countries provide their advantageous resources to cooperate in product development. Within Japan, Tokyo offers intellectual and informational support, while other cities in the Tokyo    Bay Area handle manufacturing and production. This cycle is beneficial, healthy, and effective," Randall said.

欧睿国际数据显示，2020年日本功能食品收入超过190亿美元。关胜男透露，目前他们的产品在乐天等平台销售，复购率接近100%。

According to Euromonitor's data, Japan's functional food revenue exceeded 19 billion dollars in 2020. Guan Shengnan revealed that their products are sold on platforms like Rakuten, with a repurchase rate approaching 100%.

文 | 羊城晚报特派东京记者 孙绮曼 孙晶
图 | 羊城晚报特派东京记者 严锦程