Japan–IRRI Strategic Forum and Technical Workshop on Heat-Resilient Rice Systems
Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population and plays a vital role in food security, rural livelihoods, and economic development across many countries and regions, particularly in Asia. In recent years, however, rising temperatures and more frequent heatwaves associated with climate change have increasingly threatened rice production worldwide. Addressing these challenges requires not only the development of heat-resilient rice varieties, but also the integration of diverse research fields, including crop management, climate impact assessment, environmental monitoring, remote sensing, and digital technologies.
In June 2026, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) convened the kick-off meeting of the Cool Rice for a Warming World (CoolRice) project in Los Baños, Philippines. The project brings together the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF), IRRI, JIRCAS, NARO, and other partners to promote the development of heat-tolerant rice varieties and low-cost, low-greenhouse-gas-emission rice cultivation technologies. The initiative aims to strengthen food security and enhance climate resilience across Asia. The meeting highlighted the importance of integrating research in breeding, crop physiology, crop management, climate impact assessment, and geospatial analysis, while reaffirming the need for stronger international research collaboration.
Building on the shared priorities identified through CoolRice, this Forum and Workshop aims to further strengthen collaboration between Japanese research institutions and IRRI, explore future directions for research on heat-resilient rice production systems, and discuss practical approaches for advancing joint research, capacity development, researcher exchange, and international research networking.
The Forum will bring together policymakers, researchers, university representatives, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss key challenges facing rice production under climate change, priority research areas, and opportunities for international collaboration. The Technical Workshop will provide a platform for researchers and technical experts to exchange research findings, resources, data, and analytical approaches, while exploring concrete opportunities for joint research and scientific exchange. Through these activities, the event seeks to strengthen international research networks centered on Japan and IRRI and contribute to sustainable rice production and global food security in a changing climate.
- Organized by
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International Rice Research Institute
- Co-organized by
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Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences
National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)
- Date
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2026-10-13(Tue) 10:00～17:10
～2026-10-14(Wed) 09:00～16:00 (JST) - Place
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2026-10-13: Hitotsubashi Hall (2F, National Center of Sciences Building, 2-1-2 Hitotsubashi,Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo 101-8439, Japan)
2026-10-14: IINO Conference Center (4F, IINO BUILDING, 2-1-1 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0011, Japan)
*All sessions will be held in person - Program
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DAY 1
Developing a Global Research Roadmap for Climate-Resilient Rice Production
Language: Japanese and English (simultaneous interpretation)
Venue: Hitotsubashi Hall09:40–10:00 Registration
10:00–10:20 Opening Remarks
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
- Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
- National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)
- International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)
10:20–12:00 Session 1: Strategic Perspectives
- Japan’s Vision for Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Global Cooperation
MAFF (TBD) - Climate Change and the Future of Rice Systems: Challenges and Opportunities
Dr. Toshihiro Hasegawa, JIRCAS - Scientific Innovation for Heat-Resilient Rice Systems
Dr. Satoshi Morita, NARO - Building International Partnerships for Impact at Scale
Dr. Yvonne Pinto, IRRI - Discussion and Q&A
12:00–13:30 Lunch Break
13:30–14:50 Session 2: Scientific Priorities for Heat-Resilient Rice Systems
- Understanding Heat Stress Risks
Climate risk assessment and future projections in tropical and temperate rice systems - Developing Heat-Resilient Rice Varieties (I)
Genetics and breeding priorities, grain quality under heat stress, and new breeding technologies - Developing Heat-Resilient Rice Varieties (II)
Genetic resources and breeding innovations for future rice systems - Climate-Smart Rice Systems
Agronomic adaptation options, adaptation-mitigation synergies, and digital decision-support technologies - Discussion and Q&A
14:50–15:40 Session 3: Panel Discussion
- What Should Be the Global Research Agenda for Heat-Resilient Rice Systems?
Panelists from JIRCAS, NARO, IRRI and Japanese universities
15:40–16:00 Coffee Break
16:00–17:00 Session 4: Roundtable Discussion
- Building an International Research and Innovation Network for Heat-Resilient Rice Systems
Representatives from MAFF, JIRCAS, NARO and IRRI
17:00–17:10 Closing Remarks
- JIRCAS
DAY 2
Building Scientific Collaboration for Next-Generation Climate-Resilient Rice Research
Language: English
Venue: IINO Hall & Conference Center
09:00–09:10 Opening Remarks
Objectives of the Technical Workshop09:10–10:30 Session 1: Research Activities in Japan
Presentations by researchers from JIRCAS, NARO and Japanese universities10:30–10:50 Coffee Break
10:50–12:10 Session 2: Research Activities at IRRI
Presentations by IRRI scientists12:10–13:10 Lunch Break
13:10–14:30 Session 3: Emerging Research and Collaboration Opportunities
Presentations on new technologies, datasets, research facilities, and opportunities for future collaboration between Japan and IRRI14:30–14:45 Coffee Break
14:45–15:00 Closing Summary
Key messages and future directions for Japan–IRRI scientific collaboration15:00–16:00 Networking and Collaboration Exchange
Informal networking session for Japanese and IRRI researchers to exchange research interests, discuss potential collaborations, and explore opportunities for future joint research, researcher exchange and proposal development. - Registration period
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- (JST)
- Registration
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Registration deadline:(JST)
Contact
Information and Strategy Program
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Address1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba Ibaraki 305-8686 Japan
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Telephone+81-29-838-6394
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Emailinfo-pr@jircas.go.jp