#Japan #Tokyo #Organic Agriculture #Akita Komachi R #IFOAM

Anticipating the Future of Akita Komachi R Rice through International Dialogue

In a significant step towards fostering international collaboration in organic agriculture, IFOAM Japan is organizing an important online dialogue focused on the newly developed rice cultivar, Akita Komachi R, which has been created using heavy ion beam breeding techniques. Scheduled for February 27, 2026, this event will bring together stakeholders from various sectors to address concerns raised by IFOAM – Organics International regarding safety, disclosure practices, and compliance with Japan’s organic JAS certification standards.

The initiative emerges in light of a letter sent by IFOAM to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries as well as relevant institutions such as NARO (National Agriculture and Food Research Organization) and Akita Prefectural Office, dated November 25, 2025. This online dialogue aims to disseminate these concerns widely and facilitate constructive discussions from an international perspective.

As of now, registration for domestic participants is open, with over 20 individuals from 13 countries already showing interest in attending. More information and registration details can be found on the IFOAM Japan website: IFOAM Japan.

Key Discussion Points

The online dialogue will cover a range of important topics including:

• - The international positioning of heavy ion beam breeding methods.
• - Providing information and ensuring transparency for consumers regarding new cultivars.
• - The compatibility of Akita Komachi R with Japan’s organic JAS standards.
• - Perspectives from organic agriculture stakeholders both in Japan and globally.

The event will take a public format, inviting experts, organic agriculture professionals, and citizens to engage in open discussions. The underlying goal is to create a platform that respects both scientific insight and the foundational principles of organic agriculture, ultimately aiming for social consensus through transparent discourse.

Following the international dialogue on February 27, a subsequent online meeting is also scheduled for March 26, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, to engage in further discussions with relevant authorities. This meeting will include participation from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries and will consist of a Q&A session addressing pertinent issues.

Background: Concerns Raised by IFOAM

As the market begins to see the circulation of new rice varieties developed through heavy ion beam breeding, IFOAM has highlighted several significant concerns:

• - Insufficient Safety and Risk Assessment: There are apprehensions that potential environmental and agricultural risks, such as unintentional decreases in manganese absorption, have not been adequately evaluated.
• - Lack of Consumer Disclosure and Choice: Due to the nature of the breeding method, there is a concern that genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling and traceability are not appropriately implemented, inhibiting consumer choice.
• - Compatibility Issues with Organic JAS Certification: IFOAM has raised issues regarding inconsistencies between organic norms (JAS) and the treatment of new breeding technologies such as NGT (new genomic techniques).
• - International Standard Inconsistencies: IFOAM indicates that Japan's policies might lack alignment with international practices, given that regions like the EU classify NGT as GMOs and do not apply organic certification to them.

These concerns indicate the need for the application of protocols for assessing risks associated with new genomic technologies advocated by IFOAM.

Significance of the International Dialogue

It is important to note that the upcoming dialogue is not designed to provide specific outcomes but instead aims to explore various angles including:

• - Understanding IFOAM’s international stance and the content of their correspondence.
• - Comparing domestic regulations (like organic JAS and definitions of NGT/GMO).
• - Analyzing the impact on producers and consumers in a comprehensive manner.

The dialogue is set against a backdrop of ongoing advancements in certification practices, labeling, and consumer rights concerning new agricultural technologies in Europe and North America. Addressing this multifaceted and crucial theme is of utmost importance at the intersection of international agricultural policy, certification systems, and seed technology regulations.

Event Details

• - Event Title: International Dialogue on Akita Komachi R: Can Heavy Ion Beam Breeding Coexist with Organic Agriculture?
• - Date: February 27, 2026, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM (JST)
• - Format: Online (simultaneous interpretation available)
• - Fee: Free of charge (Pre-registration required)

Featured Speakers

• - David Gould: Secretary of the IFOAM Seeds Platform
• - Tomoya Inyaku: Secretary General of the OK Seed Project

For Media and Participation

Members of the media are welcome to participate in the online viewing on the event day. Interested parties can register through the IFOAM Japan website. A participation URL will be sent by the day prior to the event.

Please contact the IFOAM Japan office for inquiries or interview requests:
IFOAM Japan Office
Contact/Interview Request: Mayu Ino
Email: [email protected]

Reference Materials

Additional resources are available on our website including summaries of correspondence and key differences in perspectives between IFOAM and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture.