JIRCAS Report
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.
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).
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
Senior Researcher MAENO Kotaro Wins Grand Prize at the 2025 Science Journalist Awards
On July 5, 2025, at the Japan Press Center, Senior Researcher MAENO Kotaro (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division) was awarded the Grand Prize at the 2025 Science Journalist Awards, hosted by the Japanese Association of Science and Technology Journalists, for his book “Taking on the Locust in Africa (バッタを倒すぜ アフリカで)” (published by Kobunsha Shinsho). A formal award ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion.
Senior Researcher MAENO Ould Koutaro Delivers Keynote Speech at the 65th Tohoku Union of Elementary School Principals Research Conference in Akita
On July 3–4, 2025, Senior Researcher MAENO Ould Koutaro from the Crop, Livestock and Environment Division delivered a keynote lecture at the 65th Tohoku Union of Elementary School Principals Research Conference Akita Meeting and the 2025 Akita Prefecture Elementary School Principals Research Conference, held at Akita Arts Theatre “Mille Has.” The event, organized by the Tohoku Union of Elementary School Principals, brought together approximately 900 elementary school principals from the six prefectures of the Tohoku region.
Future Science Talent Academy – 3rd Session: Technical Guidance on Blue Crab Aquaculture Research at Marine Science High School
On June 19 (Thursday) and 20 (Friday), 2025, the third session of the Future Science Talent Academy, organized by the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS), was held at the Kanagawa Prefectural Marine Science High School. The school has been conducting student-led research for several years on seed production and land-based aquaculture of blue crabs (Portunidae). This session was held to support and enhance those efforts.