JIRCAS Report 2025
The 42nd JAMECA-MAJECA Joint Conference: Advancing agricultural innovation and building partnerships for social implementation
On September 2, 2025, the “42nd JAMECA-MAJECA Joint Conference” was held at the Tokyo International Forum. This meeting, hosted by the Japan-Malaysia Economic Association (JAMECA) and the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (MAJECA), is held biennially by the two countries and aims to strengthen economic relations between them.
TICAD9 MAFF Seminar Titled “Fostering the Future Through International Collaborative Research: Young Researchers Engaging with Africa” Held in Yokohama
On Thursday, August 21, from 18:30 to 19:30, the TICAD9 Thematic Event (MAFF Seminar) titled “Fostering the Future Through International Collaborative Research: Young Researchers Engaging with Africa” was held in a hybrid format at Exhibition Hall D of Pacifico Yokohama. The event was organized by JIRCAS and supported by the Japan Intellectual Support Network in Agricultural Sciences (JISNAS).
Delegation from Lao PDR’s RCCRC Pays Courtesy Visit to JIRCAS
On August 25, 2025, a delegation of four members from the Rice and Cash Crop Research Center (RCCRC) of Lao PDR, led by Director Dr. Siviengkhek Phommalath, visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) and paid a courtesy call on the President and Vice President.
AGRA, JICA, and JIRCAS Hold Joint Seminar on Food System Transformation
On August 22, in conjunction with the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), a special seminar featuring AGRA President Alice Ruhweza, titled “Building Climate-Resilient Agrifood Systems in Africa – the Role of Science and Public-Private Partnership," was held at the TKP Garden City PREMIUM Minato Mirai in Yokohama City.
Director General Dr. Pinto of IRRI Visits JIRCAS
On August 21, 2025, Dr. Yvonne Pinto, Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), accompanied by Senior Scientist Dr. Kazuki Saito. IRRI and JIRCAS have maintained a longstanding partnership in agricultural research, particularly in rice cultivation, through collaborative studies, information exchange, and reciprocal visits by institutional leaders.
JIRCAS Researcher TAKARAGAWA Hiroo Receives the 18th Okinawa Agricultural Research Association Award
Dr. TAKARAGAWA Hiroo, a researcher at the Tropical Agriculture Research Front of JIRCAS, received the 2025 (The 18th) Okinawa Agricultural Research Association Award for his research titled “Development of Trait Evaluation Techniques Using Sugarcane Genetic Resources and Effective Utilization of Existing Varieties.”
JIRCAS Showcases Research at Thailand Science and Technology Fair 2025, Receives Recognition
Thailand’s National Science and Technology Fair is the country’s largest annual science and technology exhibition. This year, it was held over nine days from August 9 to 17 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok, attracting around 200,000 visitors, mainly local elementary, junior high, and high school students.
Participation in the ASEAN Task Force Meeting and Presentation of Demonstration Results on Intermittent Irrigation in Green Asia
At the invitation of the ASEAN Secretariat, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) participated in the “3rd ASEAN Task Force Meeting: Finalizing the Strategic Framework for Food, Agriculture, and Forestry (FAF),” held from June 30 to July 1, 2025. During the research presentation session from Japan on July 1, JIRCAS presented the results of its research on intermittent irrigation.
[Notice] Upcoming MOU Signing Ceremony with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) is scheduled to hold a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) regarding international collaboration. The ceremony will take place during the official side event of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), hosted by the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), titled:
"Transforming Africa’s Food Systems through Regenerative Agriculture – Strategies, Policies, and Partnerships to Support Youth and Farmers"
Unlocking the Potential of Lao Black Rice: Workshop on Black Rice Research Held in Laos
On June 17, 2025 (Reiwa 7), a workshop titled "Opportunities and Potentials for Black Rice Production in Upland Ecosystems of Laos" was held in Laos. The purpose of the workshop was to present the results of ongoing black rice research and to discuss future research directions. This research is being jointly conducted by the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) of Laos, and the National University of Laos.
Report on Pilot Study Results of Technologies Listed in the Technology Catalog at the Open Session of the ASEAN Agricultural Research and Development Technology Working Group
On May 16, 2025, JIRCAS participated in the open session of the 19th ASEAN Agricultural Research and Development Technology Working Group (ASEAN ATWGARD) held in Bangkok. This session serves as a platform for development partners to provide input to stakeholders from ASEAN countries.
Future Science Talent Academy—7th Session: 2nd-Year Math and Science Students from Fukuoka Prefectural Yahata High School Visit JIRCAS
On Thursday, July 31, 2025, as part of the 7th session of the Future Science Talent Academy, 19 second-year math and science students from Fukuoka Prefectural Yahata High School visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).
Future Science Talent Academy – 6th Session: 8th Graders from Kenkyugakuen Junior High School in Tsukuba Experience Research on Soybean Rust Resistance
On Thursday, July 24, 2025, as part of the 6th session of the Future Science Talent Academy, two 8th grade students from Kenkyugakuen Junior High School in Tsukuba visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) to experience research comparing rust resistance in soybean varieties.
Side Event Held at the UN Food Systems Summit Follow-Up Meeting
The UN Food Systems Summit Follow-Up Meeting (UNFSS+4) was held from July 27 to 29, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. On the first day, July 27 (Sunday), the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) co-hosted an in-person side event alongside Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), the Vietnam Gardening Association (VGA), Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Greein Inc., and the FAO Forestry Division
Future Science Talent Academy – 5th Session: 2nd-Year Students from Shizuoka Municipal High School’s Science Inquiry Course Visit JIRCAS
On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, as part of the 5th session of the Future Science Talent Academy, 15 second-year students from the Science Inquiry Course at Shizuoka Municipal High School visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).