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Messages from JIRCAS Staff

Introduction

Thank you for visiting the Gender Equality page of JIRCAS.

JIRCAS is a workplace for various people including researchers, administrative personnel, technical specialists and others. This page contains messages from female and male researchers, as well as administrative and support staff, and is intended to give students, and young researchers an idea of what it is like to work at JIRCAS.

Messages from Female Researchers

OKA Naoko (Rural Development Division)

I am working on the evaluation of irrigation potential in Africa and the issue of allocation of water for domestic use and irrigation. In an environment that differs from that of Japan, discussions with collaborative research partners and interviews with local people in rural villages are full of discoveries, surprises and enjoyment. (Read more)

UKE Ayaka (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division)

We are developing technology to promote recycling and utilization of the large amount of agricultural waste generated from tropical agriculture in developing countries, which is a factor in climate change risk, by utilizing microorganisms. In particular, we are developing the technology to convert cellulosic biomass into saccharified liquid using the power of bacteria, so that it can be effectively used for energy and other purposes. Through the development of this technology, we aim to reduce agricultural crop residues that cause environmental problems and to create an environmentally friendly world. (Read more)

ARAI Miwa (Crop, Livestock and Environment Division)

We are conducting research on mechanisms of carbon sequestration in agricultural soils to mitigate climate change. We are conducting detailed physical and chemical analyses of soils in the Philippines and Ishigaki Island to assess what soil factors contribute to increased soil carbon content. (Read more)

Messages from Male Researchers

KUSANO Eiichi (Social Sciences Division)

Using statistical data on global food supply and demand, we are attempting to capture long-term trends in nutrient supply in each country. We are also examining the impact on the maize market of the expanding distribution of fall armyworm, a transboundary pest which has gained global attention in recent years, and the development of control technologies focusing on countries in the Mekong Delta (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam). (Read more)

KOBAYASHI Masaki (Forestry Division)

In tropical Southeast Asia, temperature and precipitation are expected to change in the future due to the effects of climate change. Since it takes many years for trees to be harvested as timber, it is important to understand the environmental response of each forest tree species and to select species that take into account the effects of climate change in order to ensure stable timber production. Therefore, we are currently investigating the environmental response of various forest tree species, mainly Dipterocarpaceae, through environmental manipulation experiments to identify genes that cause differences in the environmental response of each species. (Read more)

Messages from Administrative・Support Staff

TOYOSHIMA Sota (Compliance Management Section, Risk Management Office)

The Risk Management Office has a compliance training program that all employees attend. Through this training, I find it very rewarding to be able to play a "behind-the-scenes" role in the organization. Compliance is essential for organizational activities. I am very proud to be able to work on compliance training, which can be called the foundation of such organizational activities. It is very difficult to organize the content of this training, but I feel that it is a valuable experience. (Read more)

NAKANO Yume (General Affairs Section, Administration Division)

I am assigned to the General Affairs Section of the Administration Division, and mainly in charge in management of working hours and public records. The General Affairs Section receives a variety of inquiries, both internal and external, so I have to understand who is in charge of which tasks. At first, it was difficult to remember the names and affiliations of the staff, but now I think it helps me to quickly grasp the organization as a whole. I am also happy when I learn about the leave system etc., and when I can explain in my own way and gain understanding in response to questions. It is rewarding when I gain new knowledge and increase my capabilities as I gain more experience. (Read more)

EBIHARA Takuro (Accounting Section, Administration Division)

I am mainly in charge of payments in the Accounting Section, and since I am part of an international organization, we have business partners from all over the world. I think it is a rare experience to move a large amount of money in various currencies with many companies and research institutes around the world, so it is one of the good things to experience. I am also in charge for the payment of salaries and wages for all employees. I feel a great sense of responsibility in handling the government's money, and since I am often pressed for time to meet payment deadlines, I feel a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when I successfully complete my work. (Read more)

MATAYOSHI Kaichi (Research Planning and Management Office)

I have never grown rice or soybeans since I was born, so each job is new to me, and I am learning every day. I have been helping my father and grandfather with livestock and farm work since I was a child, so I was confident in my farming skills, but now there are many things I am not used to, and it is a constant process of trial and error. Even in such a situation, receiving advice from the other technical support staff and words of thanks from researchers makes me feel rewarded for my efforts. Also, when I harvested the rice and soybeans I grew for the first time, I was very happy and at the same time felt a renewed sense of gratitude for food. (Read more)

  • OKA Naoko (Rural Development Division) : Female Researcher
  • UKE Ayaka (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) : Female Researcher
  • ARAI Miwa (Crop, Livestock and Environment Division) : Female Researcher
  • KUSANO Eiichi (Social Sciences Division) : Male Researcher
  • KOBAYASHI Masaki (Forestry Division) : Male Researcher
  • TOYOSHIMA Sota (Compliance Management Section, Risk Management Office) : Administrative Staff
  • NAKANO Yume (General Affairs Section, Administration Division) : Administrative Staff
  • EBIHARA Takuro (Accounting Section, Administration Division) : Administrative Staff
  • MATAYOSHI Kaichi (Field Management Section, Research Planning and Partnership Division) : Support Staff