Yasunori Ichihashi
Ph.D. in Science
Shuhei Yabe
Ph.D. in Agriculture / Brewing Science
Shinichi Yamazaki
Ph.D. in Agriculture
Chongyang Yang
Ph.D. in Environmental Science
Nao Okuma
Ph.D. in Science
Yui Nose
Soyoung Park
Ph.D. in Agriculture
Fuki Fujiwara
Ph.D. in Agriculture
Mayu Nanbu
Rin Futagawa
Asahi Nomura
Tsuyoshi Isawa
Ph.D. in Agriculture
Akiko Tsuruta
Tamao Nakatani
Hiroko Tsutsumi
Keiko Tanaka
Megumi Sakaguchi
Tajul Md. Islam
Activities
We conduct not only lab-based experiments but also fieldwork and outdoor research activities.
Ichinodai Nature Park Fieldwork
We conduct fieldwork in Ichinodai Nature Park, located near our lab.
By engaging with the local community, we practice regenerative agriculture ourselves and carry out detailed time-series monitoring.
Ichihashi + Yamazaki + Fujiwara + Futagawa + Park + Team
Soybean Cultivation Trials
We carry out soybean cultivation trials at six field sites across Japan, from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south.
This is part of our research on agroecosystem digitalization using large-scale multi-omics analysis.
Fujiwara + Ichihashi + Team
RIKEN Hackathon
We actively participate in the RIKEN Hackathon, held every year over several days.
Researchers from inside and outside RIKEN gather to exchange ideas while forming teams to conduct ideathons and data analysis to advance research.
Fujiwara + Okuma + Yamazaki
Rice Paddy Ecosystem Digitalization
As part of our research on rice paddy ecosystem digitalization, we conduct rice cultivation trials in Niigata paddy fields and monitor soil changes from before planting to after harvest.
We also visit fields across Japan where farmers are practicing innovative cultivation methods, conducting interviews and soil microbial surveys to explore pathways to sustainable rice production.
Yamazaki + Futagawa
Microbial Ecosystems
To discover useful microbial resources and conserve rare microbial ecosystems in Japan’s volcanic regions, we conduct investigations and sampling in hot spring areas across the country.
We also sample fields managed by farmers who have long practiced pesticide- and chemical fertilizer-free natural farming and analyze their microbial ecosystems.
Yabe + Yang
Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi / Indigenous Japanese Fungi
We search for indigenous Japanese arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that help alleviate continuous cropping obstacles—one of farmers’ major concerns—promote seedling establishment at transplanting, and reduce fertilizer use.
We also investigate practical inoculation methods so that these fungi can be more effectively and conveniently used in the field.
Park + Yabe + Nakatani + Sakaguchi
Open Science
To bring science closer to the public, we hold an open house once a year.
Our “herbarium-in-a-bottle” activity, where participants recreate an outdoor environment in a bottle using soil and plants, is popular with both children and adults. We also host lab tours for students, offering a rare glimpse into the everyday life of a research institute.