About Us

Message from the Director

Our institute traces its origins to the “Ohara Institute for Agricultural Research,” a foundation established in 1914 by Mr. Magosaburo Ohara. Over the past century, the institute has undergone several reorganizations in response to changing times and has now evolved into a research center specializing in plant science. Throughout its 110-year history, the institute has produced many distinguished scholars who laid the foundation for agricultural science in Japan. Today, it is recognized as a world-leading plant science research center, contributing significantly to cutting-edge discoveries. According to Clarivate Analytics, Okayama University ranks 5th in Japan in the field of Plant & Animal Science—a standing largely supported by the achievements of our institute.

The original mission of the institute was to “study profound scientific principles and apply them to the improvement of agricultural practices.” While this fundamental direction remains unchanged, the challenges we face today are vastly different from those of a century ago. Global climate change now threatens crop production through rising temperatures, droughts, floods, heavy metal contamination, and imbalances in soil nutrients. As a research institute dedicated to plant science, we must address these pressing issues to combat food insecurity amid a growing global population. To achieve this, we will further strengthen our research capabilities, promote domestic and international collaborations, and produce highly original scientific contributions.

In 2009, our institute was designated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as a “Center for Plant Genetic Resources and Stress Science Research.” Since then, we have actively collaborated with universities and research institutions across Japan. Furthermore, Okayama University was selected for the “Program for Promoting the Enhancement of Research Universities as Regional and Distinctive Core Institutions (J-peaks),” in which our institute plays a key role in plant science. With upcoming upgrades to advanced research equipment, we aim to further expand collaborative research opportunities.

Our institute also plays a vital role in graduate education. Over the years, we have welcomed talented students from across Japan and around the world to Kurashiki, nurturing many outstanding researchers. Moving forward, we will continue to attract exceptional graduate students and provide them with world-class training to cultivate future leaders in global science.

We are committed to advancing the Institute of Plant Science and Resources as a premier hub for research and education. Your continued support and cooperation are greatly appreciated.

Director Jian Feng Ma