公益財団法人農学会 The Foundation of agricultural Sciences of Japan

Message from the Prseident

Ken Furuya  古谷研会長

The Foundation of Agricultural Sciences of Japan (FASJ; public interest incorporated foundation), originating from The Foundation of Agricultural Sciences which was founded in 1887, is the oldest academic society in the field of agricultural sciences in Japan. It has been engaged in research and education of agriculture in Japan for over 130 years. The foundation shifted to a public interest incorporated foundation in April 2012.


    The purpose of FASJ is to contribute to the improvement of human welfare by promoting research and education about agriculture in cooperation with various research and educational organizations, academic societies related to agriculture, and to promote the continuous development of agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Major public utility works of FASJ include, (1) commendation of ten excellent young researchers every year, (2) fostering of professionals in various fields of agriculture, forestry and fisheries through the accreditation of education programs associated with the Japan Accreditation Board for Engineering Education (JABEE), (3) edification by organizing public symposiums and publications, and (4) co-hosting of meetings and symposiums in cooperation with other institutions and organizations.


    Subjects of FASJ public symposium during the past four years have covered, Damages to agriculture and forest industries by harmful birds and animals, Nursing of biological richness both on land and at sea for sustainable development, Foods and health: choices for consumers, Does food supply meet demand?, Changing Japanese society and the Basic Law on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas of the government, Development and perspectives in molecular biology in agricultural sciences, and Potentials of microbes sustaining the future of human beings. These subjects exemplify FASJ’s wide coverage of scientific fields, prospecting the future of humanity.


    Today, the global system comprised of life and environment is suffering from issues related to food resources, environmental degradation and energy demand that need to be tackled in order to establish a sustainable society. Thus, the role of agricultural sciences is becoming increasingly important. The mission of FASJ is to contribute to improving human welfare, free from the conventional frameworks, by deepening cooperation with the society widely as a public interest incorporated foundation and by promoting research and education about agriculture.