On August 27, 2026, at the 32nd International Horticultural Congress (IHC2026) held at the Kyoto International Conference Center in Kyoto, Japan, Dr. HASEGAWA Toshihiro, President of the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), delivered a plenary lecture entitled “Climate Change: Risks and Adaptation Strategies in the Agricultural Sector.”

In his presentation, Dr. Hasegawa discussed the impacts and risks of climate change on agriculture and food systems, as well as the direction of future adaptation strategies, drawing on findings from the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). He highlighted the growing severity of climate-related risks in recent years, including the increase in acute food insecurity around the world and the decline in labor productivity caused by heat stress.
He also explained how compound and cascading risks, which arise through interactions between climate change and other factors such as armed conflicts and economic shocks,  further increase the vulnerability of food systems.

Regarding adaptation measures in the agricultural sector, Dr. Hasegawa emphasized the importance of multidimensional evaluations that take into account not only adaptation effectiveness but also environmental and social impacts. He stressed that comprehensive, science-based assessments are essential to avoid maladaptation.

Furthermore, he noted that food systems are not only affected by climate change but are also significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. He therefore underscored the need to transform current food systems into ones that are more sustainable and resilient. Following the lecture, a lively exchange of opinions took place regarding the future direction of climate change adaptation research.