On September 1, 2026, a release ceremony for the new rice variety Besalohy was held in Antananarivo, Republic of Madagascar. The variety was jointly developed by the National Center for Applied Research on Rural Development (FOFIFA) and the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).

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.”

The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), in cooperation with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), exhibited at the “Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Show 2026 (MAHA 2026),” held in Malaysia from August 28 to September 1, 2026. JIRCAS showcased research achievements and recent initiatives aimed at the social implementation of next-generation biomass technologies that promote the effective utilization of underutilized biomass resources.

On Monday, August 3, 2026, JIRCAS welcomed 20 second-year students from Sapporo Asahigaoka Senior Senior High School for the 35th session of the Future Science Talent Academy. The lecture was delivered by Dr. MIYANAKA Noriki, Researcher in the Crop, Livestock and Environment Division, who introduced JIRCAS's efforts to address food security and environmental challenges through agricultural, forestry, and fisheries research in developing regions.

On Friday, July 31, 2026, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) successfully held the “Tsukuba Chibikko Hakase (Little Scientists) 2026 Open House,” welcoming 231 visitors.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) hosted 20 second-year students from the Science and Mathematics Course of Fukuoka Prefectural Yahata High School for the 34th session of the Future Science Talent Academy. Dr. TAKAI Toshiyuki, Senior Researcher in the Crop, Livestock and Environment Division, and Dr. SAITO Minoru, Researcher in the Fisheries Division, handled the lectures.

On Friday, July 24, 2026, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) welcomed 66 first-year students from Salesian International School Setagaya Junior and Senior High School for the 32nd (morning) and 33rd (afternoon) sessions of the Future Science Talent Academy.

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) welcomed ten second-year students from the Science Inquiry Course of Shizuoka City High School (Shizuoka Ichiko) for the 31st session of the Future Science Talent Academy.

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) welcomed 40 second-year students from Mie Prefectural Matsusaka High School for the 30th session of the Future Science Talent Academy.

As record-breaking heat continues across Japan and around the world, the free online video “2050 Weather Forecast (Ver. 2),” was released at 1:00 p.m. on August 3. The video was produced by the 2050 Weather Forecast Production Committee, in which NHK Enterprises serves as one of the lead organizations. Dr. HASEGAWA Toshihiro, President of the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), contributed to the project as an expert on food security issues.