1. Research Programs
  2. 5th Medium to Long-Term Plan

Information

Strengthening function as an international hub for providing strategic information on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and mobilizing new research partnerships

 

Research Projects

Research Highlights

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Related JIRCAS Report

“2050 Weather Forecast (Ver. 2)” Video Released

As record-breaking heat continues across Japan and around the world, the free online video “2050 Weather Forecast (Ver. 2),” was released at 1:00 p.m. on August 3. The video was produced by the 2050 Weather Forecast Production Committee, in which NHK Enterprises serves as one of the lead organizations. Dr. HASEGAWA Toshihiro, President of the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), contributed to the project as an expert on food security issues.

Green Asia Achievements Showcased at an ASEAN Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture Workshop

From April 9 to 10, 2026, the “First ASEAN Consultation Workshop and Capacity Building: Development of Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture Systems Implementation Plan and Biochar Guidelines,” an event co-hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) participated in the workshop at the invitation of the ASEAN Secretariat.

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Events

Symposium
Date
(JST)
JIRCAS International Symposium 2025
"Accelerating Application of Agricultural Technologies in the Asia-Monsoon Region: Taking Stock and the Way Forward for Enhancing Production Potentials and Sustainable Food Systems"
Registration period:
- (JST)
Place
"Hitotsubashi Hall" and On-line
(National Center of Sciences Building 2F, 2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8439)
Event
Date
(JST)
Special Seminar with Ms Alice Ruhweza, AGRA President: Building Climate Resilient Agrifood Systems in Africa – the Role of Science and Public-Private Partnership
Registration period:
- (JST)
Place
Hall D. TKP Garden City PREMIUM Minatomirai
(3-6-3 Minatomirai , Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 220-0012)
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Field

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    1575. The role of agrifood systems in achieving biodiversity targets: Insights from COP17 and FAO analysis

    The seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) is being held in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October. It marks the first global review of collective progress towards the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted in 2022, and a critical opportunity to identify implementation gaps and accelerate action towards its 2030 targets. Biodiversity underpins agrifood systems through healthy soils, water, pollinators, genetic resources, forests and aquatic ecosystems. At the same time, land-use change, overexploitation, pollution and unsustainable production and consumption can drive biodiversity loss. Transforming agrifood systems is therefore central to reconciling food security with the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

     
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    1574. Intensifying El Niño and Risks to Food and Agriculture—Turning Climate Forecasts into Preparedness and Action

    The intensifying El Niño is having different impacts across regions and seasons, increasing risks to agriculture, fisheries, and food production. Drawing on the latest climate information, this article considers the importance of turning forecasts into preparedness and action on the ground and highlights JIRCAS International Symposium 2026, which will discuss responses to multiple and compounding risks in agriculture.
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    1572. Development and Global Impact of International “Measuring Tools” for Pathogenicity

    A review article has been published in The Plant Genome describing the development history, global dissemination, and use of internationally shared “measuring tools” for evaluating the pathogenicity of the bacterial blight and rice blast pathogens. These tools have been developed and used over many years by JIRCAS and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), building on the knowledge of Japanese researchers and international collaborative research. The article comprehensively reviews the roles of the “measuring tools” and international research networks, developed and strengthened through international collaboration, in monitoring pathogen populations, analyzing resistance genes, and breeding rice varieties with durable disease resistance.
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    1571. IRRI: Supporting Rice Research Worldwide—Working with Japan to Address Rice Production under Climate Change

    Rice, an essential part of the Japanese diet, is not immune to the effects of climate change. Rice production worldwide must simultaneously address multiple challenges, including high temperatures, water scarcity, pests and diseases, and the need to reduce environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. One institution that has long tackled these issues internationally is the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), headquartered in the Philippines. Japan and IRRI have worked together for more than 60 years through rice research and exchanges among researchers.

    In October 2026, IRRI, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) will jointly hold the International Strategy Forum and Technical Workshop on Heat-Resilient Rice Production Systems in Tokyo. This article introduces IRRI’s role and the history of its cooperation with Japan, while considering the research partnerships that will be important for rice production under a changing climate.
     

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    1570. Protecting Rice from Heat: Understanding Heat-Induced Sterility and Building Heat-Resilient Rice Production Systems

    Japan’s annual mean temperature has risen over the long term, and the Japan Meteorological Agency reports that unusually warm years have occurred frequently since the 1990s. How do rising temperatures and heat waves associated with climate change affect rice yield and quality? This article explains how heat-induced sterility occurs and why it is important to combine heat-tolerant varieties, crop management, climate-impact assessment, and future projections. On October 13 and 14, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), JIRCAS, and the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) will jointly hold an international forum and technical workshop to discuss research priorities and directions for international collaboration toward heat-resilient rice production systems.
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Article and Publication

2026

2025