Rice will Save the Earth!

Through experiencing actual rice planting and harvesting, the rice forum provides opportunities to understand the potential of rice as staple food and advantages of rice farming which contributes to a circulation of natural ecosystem.  

In order to think about the global environment and international cooperation, FGPE has been organizing the Rice Forum for Global Environment since 1999, when the first forum was held in Wajima City (Ishikawa Prefecture in Japan). Then, the forum took place every year in various local areas around Japan.

Participants from 120 embassies resided in Tokyo including ambassadors, diplomats and their families, as well as local citizens and children, were introduced to the important role of rice farming for environmental preservation.  

Also, throughout the forum, FGPE has been appealing the wisdom of preserving the natural environment and the spirit of "Living Together" which lies in the heart of Japanese rice farming culture.

Foreign participants stayed at local farmers' or citizens' houses to experience the local lifestyle and culture to communicate closely and friendly beyond the language barrier.

In summer, symposia with special lectures and panel discussions were held in Tokyo under the theme of rice farming, natural environment, food and health, or food security, inviting general citizens. 

HIH planting rice seedlings together with local people

With his daughter Ayako in Shiga Prefecture in 2002