Category: Information

From March 11th to 19th, 2026, Talandila Kasapila, a long-term researcher at Ehime University, conducted research in Yakushima.
This is the fourth on-site research in Yakushima for his master’s thesis. He shared the main findings with previous research participants, confirmed a shared understanding of the challenges surrounding local governance, and had constructive conversations about future collaboration. On March 15, he held a dialogue-based workshop to present the research outcomes, during which participants discussed the future of Yakushima and their respective values in depth. This visit enabled him to build a foundation for continued engagement and future follow-up.
He is deeply grateful to Dr. Sugishita of the Yakushima Onoaida Clinic, Ms. Makiko Sugishita of Kaleido Forest Co., Ltd., their staff, and all the residents of Yakushima Town who kindly supported Tarandlila’s research.

From March 7th to 17th, 2026, Hiromu Okazawa visited Malawi.
From March 7th to 18th, 2026, Tetsu Sato visited Malawi.
We held the fifth and final Technical Meeting on March 10th and the JCC on March 12th as the project entered its final phase. We deepened discussions on the project’s achievements and the final consolidation of results, and were able to determine the direction for the remaining period.
In the field survey, we conducted a well survey at the Sustainable Cape Maclear experimental site and carried out investigations in the Agroforestry plots.
We also held meetings with relevant stakeholders to discuss future research plans, as well as the current situation in Chirundu and the way forward.

From January 21st February 4th, 2026, Tetsu Sato travel to Malawi.
As the project entered its final phase, the JST team traveled to Malawi to conduct the terminal evaluation. They carried out interviews at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, at the University of Malawi, at the Monkey Bay Capture Fisheries Centre, at Lake Malawi National Park Office, and at Chembe village. They also held an on-site briefing session for the terminal evaluation. We believe that these activities provided many valuable insights into the project’s final outcomes.
After completing the evaluation, a new diving survey for Chirundu was conducted in Chembe Village. During the survey, we were able to confirm the partial settlement of Mbuna species as well as the reproduction of Kampango in the existing Chirundu area.

From December 1st to 15th, 2025, Kiyotaka Tokuraku and Shinya Yamanaka travel to Malawi. From November 29th to December 16th, 2025, Tetsu Sato travel to Malawi.
Reports on the progress of the project and future coordination meetings were conducted at the Embassy of Japan in Malawi and the JICA Malawi Office. At WOTA LTD, discussions were held regarding small scale irrigation facilities, along with the collection of information from leading farmers. Surveys were carried out at the Sustainable Cape Maclear Farm, and visits were made to progressive farmers in Zomba, Blantyre, and Lilongwe. Research meetings were also held with Nicholas Sikoya Chanza, John Matewere, and Yasuko Kusakari. In addition, Sato conducted a diving survey in Chirundu.

From November 4th to 16th, 2025, Tetsu Sato travel to Malawi.
Proceeded with the discussions on further collaboration in the construction of three new Chirundu units. Visited the SCM farm and the agroforestry farm and held meetings to discuss current issues and future developments. Held a meeting regarding the terminal evaluation and requested the cooperation of stakeholders. Held a meeting with the University of Malawi to discuss the collaborative structure after the SCM project is completed.

The symposium is organized by the “Date Pro” project, implemented under the Cross‑ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), 3rd period, “Building a Platform to Realize New Ways of Learning and Working in the Post‑COVID‑19 Era,” of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI). The program is administered by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST),

This symposium is organized by the research project “Date Pro.” supported by Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), the 3rd period of SIP (Funding agency: Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)). And the project is led by Shinya Yamanaka of Muroran Institute of Technology.
The symposium was held on October 25th and 26th at the Civic Activity Center in Kashima, Date City. The core keyword was “Networking.” Innovators from Date and Malawi who are tackling various agricultural practices and challenges presented their unique initiatives. Through these presentations, we hope to spark new connections and envision a brighter future for the region—highlighting how human networks can overcome difficulties and how new forms of collaboration can emerge.
From the project, we invited Nicholas Sikoya Chanza (Mr. Mantis) and J. B. Matewere (Mr. John) from Malawi, who presented on sustainable agriculture, the linkage between agriculture and tourism, and the activities of the local restaurant “ZATHU” in Chembe Village. Project member Yasuko Kusakari also introduced “The Cape Maclear Story: Connecting Farmers and Tourism Beginning from a Local Restaurant.”
During the Roundtable Discussion, the facilitator, Sato, shared a hopeful message: “Someday, I would love to see people creating menus that combine vegetables and seafood from Date, and many visitors coming to ZATHU saying they want to enjoy those dishes.”
Web site of Date Pro.　だてプロ

From September 18th to November 23rd, Placid Mpeketula from the University of Malawi was accepted as a short-term foreign researcher at the Tokyo University of Agriculture.
Through discussions and collaborative research with Japanese researchers, he conducted a detailed analysis of the results of empirical research on soil improvement processes and mechanisms and leverage point analysis, and prepared a paper for submission to an international academic journal.

From September 18th to November 23rd, Nicholas Sikoya Chanza from Sustainable Cape Maclear (CBO) in Chembe village was accepted as a short-term foreign researcher at the Tokyo University of Agriculture.
He learned multifaceted techniques from Japan’s leading examples of agroforestry, forest seed production and tree planting, and environmentally friendly agriculture.
Through collaborative research, he built a foundation for utilizing these techniques on the ground in Malawi. During his stay, he visited Miyagi Prefecture, Date City in Hokkaido, and Nagano University, and other places, and conducted collaborative research on Japan’s leading examples of various techniques and methods of collaboration with community stakeholders.

October: Presentation at Muroran Institute of Technology International Symposium, Date City, Hokkaido

November: Participated in Nagano University’s “Seed Project” tree planting festival in Miyagi Prefecture