Exactly one year ago, on April 15, the Japan National Tourism Organization announced that the number of foreign visitors to Japan in March 2020 was 194,000, a decrease of 93.0% from the same month of the previous year. Due to the spread of COVID-19, measures such as restrictions on overseas travel and prohibition of going out have been taken in many countries. In Japan, measures such as strengthening of quarantine and invalidating visas have also contributed to a significant decrease in the number of foreign visitors from the same month of the previous year. Similarly, overseas travel from Japan is also restricted, and even after one year, it is still far from the situation where people can freely travel abroad.

JIRCAS is holding an online Open House during the Science and Technology Week from April 12 (Mon) to 18 (Sun) 2021, to introduce and disseminate its various research activities to the general public. Among them, we have released an aerial video on the theme of agriculture and environment in Africa and Asia, which was taken using a drone by the JIRCAS during overseas business trips before the COVID-19 crisis. In the video, you can enjoy the magnificent agricultural lands and environment of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Laos. We hope to resume our field work in these countries as soon as the pandemic is over.

JIRCAS has set up a special site for on-demand streaming of mini-lectures to be presented by research staff, aerial video featuring agriculture and the environment in Africa, and other fun activities that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. Furthermore, special mini-lectures on the food system and transboundary insect pests will be streamed live on April 17 (Sat) from 14:00 to 15:00 JST (advanced registration is required). Please enjoy the mini-lectures and virtual overseas travel to learn more about international agriculture, forestry and fisheries research.

Reference

JIRCAS Online Open House 2021https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/event/2021/openhouse

Viewing Agriculture and Environment in Asia and Africa from the Sky  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrxpdsUEKRM

Contributors: OMORI Keisuke (Information and Public Relations Office), SAKAI Toru and KAWAMURA Kensuke (Social Sciences Division)