On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) welcomed 39 first-year students from Fukushima Prefectural Soma Agricultural High School for the 25th session of the Future Science Talent Academy. The school implements science training programs to deepen students’ interest in science and raise their awareness of future career paths by exposing them to cutting-edge science and technology, and this visit was organized as part of that effort.
At the beginning of the session, an overview of JIRCAS’s research activities and international collaborative research was presented, explaining how research in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries conducted in cooperation with partners around the world contributes to the food and daily lives of people in Japan.
This was followed by a lecture on rice breeding in Japan and overseas by Dr. KOBAYASHI Nobuya of the Planning and Management Office. Drawing on his experience in global rice breeding at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and JIRCAS, as well as his experience in domestic rice breeding as a researcher at the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Dr. Kobayashi compared the two and explained the technologies involved in rice breeding and their importance. The students also had the opportunity to observe actual rice samples and compare different varieties. They watched intently, surprised to discover that “there are significant differences even within the same rice plant, depending on the variety.”
The lecture also explained the division of roles between prefectural institutions and NARO in supporting rice breeding in Japan. While each prefecture is responsible for developing branded rice varieties, NARO handles the development of rice for food service and processing purposes that are not covered by the prefectures. The students listened with interest to this distinction. Regarding global rice breeding, the lecture also discussed the importance of IRRI’s genebank, Japan’s support, and the international contributions of Japanese researchers.
The students asked perceptive questions, such as whether crops from the same grass family are used in rice breeding. In response, samples of NERICA (a group of varieties created by crossing Asian rice (Oryza sativa) with African native rice (Oryza glaberrima)) displayed in the exhibition area were shown, and an example was introduced of varieties developed to suit African environments. The explanations using real samples were particularly effective, and the students carefully compared the differences between NERICA varieties and their parent varieties, nodding in understanding.
Through this visit, the students deepened their understanding of the potential of science, the social significance of research, and the importance of international cooperation, making it a valuable opportunity to think about their future paths and goals. Going forward, JIRCAS aims to continue fostering future scientific talent by providing opportunities to experience research settings firsthand and further stimulating interest and curiosity in science and technology.
