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).
The school organized the training trip to Tsukuba Science City to provide students with direct exposure to international projects and cutting-edge science and technology. The aim is to foster greater interest in the global community and STEM fields, helping students make informed decisions about their future paths. The visit to JIRCAS was a central part of this experience, offering a valuable opportunity to engage with international research firsthand.
The visit began with an introduction to JIRCAS’s research activities and an overview of international joint research. Students reflected on how research conducted in cooperation with partners worldwide contributes to society and discussed the growing importance of scientists involved in international research. Then, the students split into groups to discuss the relationship between agriculture, forestry, and fisheries research and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through presentations, they shared how research contributes to the 17 SDGs in various ways.
Next, Senior Researcher NISHIGAKI Tomohiro from the Crop, Livestock and Environment Division gave a lecture titled “Challenges in Soil Science to Feed Africa.” The lecture covered the importance of soil for agricultural production and introduced highlights from his research. It also touched on career development as a researcher and the joys and difficulties of research, which proved to be very inspiring for the students.
In particular, to illustrate the characteristics of soil, Dr. Nishigaki shared stories of digging holes large enough for a person to enter at various locations worldwide to observe soil layers. Real-size photos of soil cross-sections and actual soil samples were shown. This helped the students deepen their understanding of the significance and appeal of fieldwork.
After the lecture, the students asked many questions regarding agriculture in developing countries and related research efforts. For example, in response to a question about how to
stabilize agricultural production in developing countries vulnerable to droughts and floods, he explained efforts to stabilize production from the soil perspective, as well as JIRCAS’s multifaceted approaches including breeding improvements, cultivation technique advancements, and social science methods.
Additionally, the students participated in a JIRCAS event held on the same day titled “Let’s Take a Peek! Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries in Developing Regions,” where they further deepened their understanding of the diversity of agricultural research promoted by JIRCAS through exhibits and explanations from researchers.
Through this visit, the students reaffirmed the social significance of science and technology and the importance of international cooperation, providing a valuable opportunity to reflect on their own career paths and future goals. Moving forward, JIRCAS intends to continue offering opportunities for students to directly experience research sites to further cultivate future scientific talent and increase interest in science and technology.
