International symposium
Advancing Soybean Breeding:
Genetics, Genomics, Biotechnology and Agronomy

Global consumption of soybeans has been increasing year by year, driven not only by the production of edible oils or animal feed but also by the expanding use of soybeans as biodiesel fuel and plant-based protein sources. In Japan, soybeans are processed into a wide variety of foods and are indispensable ingredients in traditional Japanese cuisine. However, approximately 75% of Japan’s food-grade soybeans rely on imports, raising concerns about future price increases due to competition with other countries, as well as foreign exchange risks associated with the weakening yen. To mitigate these food security risks, cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program 3 (SIP3) “Building a Resilient and Nourishing Food Supply Chain Management for a Sustainable Future” is working to increase domestic soybean production and to advance the development of new varieties and cultivation techniques that will ensure a stable supply.

This international symposium aims to showcase leading research outcomes from Japan and to present the latest global developments through experts from public institutions and breeding companies in high-yielding regions overseas. By bringing together cutting-edge insights on breeding technologies, genome editing, cultivation practices, and other essential innovations, the symposium will provide a platform to discuss pathways toward increasing soybean production and ensuring a stable supply.

Day
February 25, 2026 (Wed)
Lectures
:10:00〜18:00  (Check-in opens at 9:30 a.m.)
Poster session
:18:30〜20:30  (Check-in opens at 6:00 p.m.)

Venue
Tokyo International Forum
Hall D7 (lectures)
Hall D5 (poster session)
https://www.t-i-forum.co.jp/en/facilities/d7/
*Only on-site; no online streaming.
Access:https://www.t-i-forum.co.jp/en/access/

Organizer
Institute of Crop Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO)

Co-host
SIP3 “Food Supply Chain” Secretariat

Participation Fee
Lectures: Free
Poster Session:
  • With food and beverages (Fee required)
  • Without food and beverages (Free)

Language of use
English (no interpretation)

Please complete the information on the registration form below to apply.

Entry

The Abstract Book will be sent electronically by the Symposium Secretariat. Printed copies will not be distributed; please prepare your own copy as needed.

The English operation manual for the participant registration form is available at the link below.

Operation
Manual

Those wishing to give a poster presentation are required to complete both the “Participant Registration” and the “Poster Presentation Registration.”

As the number of posters is limited to 50, some submissions may be declined. We appreciate your understanding in advance. The symposium secretariat will notify you of your presentation status. Please prepare all posters (A0 size) in English and bring them with you on the day of the symposium (posting available from 9:00 AM).

Poster Presentation Registration

Poster Entry

Please note:
To submit a poster presentation, you are required to log in with a Google account when completing the Poster Presentation Registration form.
If you do not have a Google account, please send the following information by email to the Symposium Secretariat (soybean-symposium-info@e-webinar.net):

- Full name
- Email address
- Affiliation
- Poster title
- Abstract (one A4-sized PDF file, one page) Abstract Template (Download)

For Presenters Sharing SIP 3 Results
If you plan to present research conducted under SIP3, prior approval is required. 
Please submit Public Relations Form 1 together with a draft abstract (a preliminary draft is acceptable) by email to the SIP3 “Enriched Food” Subproject A Secretariat.

Start - End
Speaker
Title
Affiliation of speaker
10:00–10:05
Toshikazu Nambu
Opening remark
Executive Director in charge of SIP/BRIDGE, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
Session 1 Frontiers in Soybean Breeding
10:05–10:45
Elroy R. Cober
Short-Season Soybean Breeding in Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada
10:45–11:25
Shin Kato
Recent Efforts in Breeding High-Yield Soybean  Varieties Suitable for Food Processing in Japan
NARO, Japan
11:25–12:05
Les C. Kuhlman
Corteva Agriscience's Strategies and Technologies for Developing High-yielding Stable Soybean Varieties
Corteva Agriscience, U.S.A.
12:05–13:15
Lunch Break
13:15–13:55
Ryoichi Yano
Exploring the Genomic Features of Japanese Soybeans
NARO, Japan
13:55–14:35
Rafael M. Yassue
Towards Efficient Soybean Breeding: Translating Novel Tools into Genetic Improvement
GDM Seeds, Inc., Argentina
14:35–14:55
Coffee Break
Session 2 Soybean Biotechnology: Editing and Regulation
14:55–15:35
Suguru Sato
Regulatory Consideration for the Commercial Cultivation of Agricultural Crops with Biotechnology
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S.A.
15:35–16:15
Ryozo Imai
A Culture-Independent and DNA-Free Approach to Engineering the Soybean Genome
NARO, Japan
16:15–16:35
Coffee Break
Session 3 Soybean Physiology and Yield Dynamics
16:35–17:15
Yohei Kawasaki
Yield and Dry Matter Productivity of Japanese and U.S. Soybean Cultivars: A Cross-locational Analysis
NARO, Japan
17:15–17:55
Carl J. Bernacchi
Soybean Photosynthesis, Growth, and Yield
Responses to Global Change
University of Illinois, U.S.A.
17:55-18:00
Eizo Matsumoto
Closing remark
Program Director in charge of SIP3 “Food Supply Chain”, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan
18:00–18:30
Break
18:30–20:30
Poster session (approx. 50 presentations)
Food and beverages will be available for participants who have registered in advance. Please note that the cost will be at the participant’s own expense.

Symposium Secretariat

E-mail: soybean-symposium-info@e-webinar.net