The phenomenon of food culture at a given time undergoes constant change owing to changes in the natural environment, human technologies, and social norms. Technological developments as well as changes in the societal values also affect the food culture phenomenon.

Therefore, an ongoing study of these phenomena in a specific region is essential in order to verify the interaction between society and change in food culture. The authors are in the process of compiling the food chronology of the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including China, Korea, and Japan, on the basis of numerous historical written material and data. Only those phenomena that subsequently affected the food culture are being considered in the chronology.

In 2009, the food and culture chronology of Japan for the period from the beginning of the Meiji era (1868) to the end of Taisho era (1926) will be published.