On January 23, 2025 (Thursday), JIRCAS participated in the "SAT Technology Showcase 2025."

Since 2001, the Science Academy of Tsukuba (SAT)(つくばサイエンスアカデミー) has been hosting the "SAT Technology Showcase," an annual exhibition where researchers and engineers active in Tsukuba City and the Tokyo metropolitan area present and exchange opinions on the latest research results, ideas, and technologies. This year, 155 research results were presented by students and researchers from various institutions, including public research centers, at the Tsukuba International Congress Center. In addition to poster presentations, there were 1-minute indexing presentations and special symposiums.

Three researchers from JIRCAS participated in this year's event, each presenting their research as follows:

Dr. UKE Ayaka (Researcher, Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) presented on "Changing with the Power of Microorganisms! Transforming Waste Clothing into New Resources," focusing on generating glucose sap from cotton fibers in waste clothing for use as raw materials for biofuels and biodegradable plastics.

Dr. UEDA Yoshiaki (Researcher, Crop, Livestock and Environment Division) presented on "Improving Rice in Asia and Africa Utilizing the Genetic Diversity of Rice," focusing on research on stress-resistant genes using the wide genetic diversity of rice to address excess iron stress and phosphorus deficiency problems in African rice production.

Dr. MARUI Junichiro (Senior Researcher, Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) presented on "Developing and Promoting a Simple Method to Suppress Histamine Generation in Fermented Freshwater Fish Seasonings in Laos," focusing on seasonings made from fermented freshwater fish (locally called padek) in the inland country of Laos.

The poster exhibition booth attracted many visitors who listened attentively to the researchers' explanations and asked numerous questions. Visitors included students and people interested in JIRCAS’s overseas activities. We also learned a lot from the excellent research results — which included those presented by high school students — and the activities of other research institutes, companies, and Tsukuba City.

We plan to continue using opportunities like these to present JIRCAS’s activities and research results to increase awareness and promote a better understanding of our work.