[iichie Memo] September 28 - October 4, 2025
Living in the Modern Age: Questioning the Dignity of 'Life' and Responsibility for the Future through the Latest Trends in Environment, Agriculture, and Life Sciences
Yesterday, the Liberal Democratic Party presidential election was held, and Sanae Takaichi was elected as the new president. How will this new political development in Japan affect our daily lives and the future of the environment, agriculture, and life sciences that this 'iichie Memo' explores?
Hello everyone. This is Ichigo Ichie.
In this 'iichie Memo,' I use my research notes to deepen my reflections on 'life,' 'agriculture,' and the 'environment' as seen through daily news and cutting-edge scientific technology. The foundation of this exploration is the insight into the 'dignity of life' and 'responsibility for creation' that Christian thought has nurtured.
Now that technology is evolving at an astonishing speed and is about to significantly change the way society functions and even our values, I believe the question, 'What kind of future will we create, and what will we pass on to the next generation?' carries more weight than ever before.
1. Environment: Strengthening Climate Change Countermeasures and the Crisis of Marine Ecosystems
The global environment remains an urgent issue, and this past week has seen reports on international efforts against climate change and the often-overlooked crisis of marine ecosystems.
Accelerating Climate Change Countermeasures and the Challenges of International Cooperation
Indonesia has announced a new plan to accelerate the closure of coal-fired power plants, aiming for a transition to renewable energy. This can be called an important step toward achieving global greenhouse gas reduction targets. Furthermore, regarding international efforts, discussions surrounding Russia's role in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ahead of COP29 have been reported, highlighting the reality that climate change countermeasures are deeply intertwined with international politics. Domestically, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has revised its 'TOKYO Zero-Emi Points' and is showing a policy to accelerate decarbonization by strengthening subsidies for zero-emission housing.
The Quietly Progressing Crisis of Marine Ecosystems
Meanwhile, in marine ecosystems that receive less attention, plastic pollution is causing serious problems. Research by the Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency reported that microplastics were detected in the digestive tracts of skipjack tuna in Japan. This suggests the possibility that plastic could affect our human dining tables through the food chain. In Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture, a survey on awareness regarding marine environmental conservation was conducted, revealing that diverse generations are interested in coral reef conservation. This shows hope for environmental conservation led by local communities.
◆ Protecting the blessings of the Earth, which is the source of our 'life,' and passing them on to the next generation. This is the core of the 'responsibility for creation' preached by Christian thought. Movements to confront climate change with concrete policies, such as Indonesia's reduction of coal-fired power and Tokyo's zero-emission housing subsidies, are full of hope. However, pollution that spreads quietly but surely, like the microplastics found in the digestive tracts of skipjack tuna, once again questions the deep responsibility we bear toward the Earth's ecosystem. Now is the time to keep our eyes on invisible threats and act with consideration for the health of the entire planet.
2. Agriculture: Searching for Stable Food Supply and Productivity Improvement through AI
Food is the source of 'life,' and agriculture, which is responsible for its production, is the foundation of a sustainable society. Amidst growing concerns about food security, the search for agricultural efficiency and sustainability using advanced technologies such as AI continues.
Sense of Crisis Regarding Food Security and Diverse Initiatives
Concerns about food security in Japan are rising, and it has been reported that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is not on track to achieve its food self-sufficiency ratio target. Improving the food self-sufficiency ratio is an urgent issue and is extremely important for protecting the health and 'life' of the people. In this context, food tech is attracting attention as a trump card for balancing stable food supply and sustainability against challenges such as population growth, climate change, and increased environmental burden. As a 'scramble' for food is predicted, the development of smart agriculture and alternative meats will become indispensable for solving future food problems. Zen-Noh has announced an initiative to make 'JA Rice' environmentally friendly rice starting from the 2026 crop, promoting measures such as autumn plowing by producers and setting goals for rice grain GHG emission disclosure to business partners.
Productivity Improvement and Challenges through AI and Smart Agriculture
AI-utilized agricultural technology is contributing to labor shortages and productivity improvements. The company Noujoujin announced the holding of an online seminar on AI utilization cases in agriculture and the latest trends in generative AI. In addition, the agritech startup Rootrek Networks, Inc. has collaborated with Israel to develop an AI-utilized optimal irrigation system for paddy rice, achieving a 20% increase in yield and a 20% reduction in water usage. This can be a concrete solution for efficient production with limited resources. Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture, has started the 'Next-Generation Agriculture Strengthening Support Project,' which supports the introduction of smart agricultural equipment with up to 1 million yen. The Komeito party also inspected smart agriculture sites in Ibaraki during its Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Caravan, appealing for the importance of farmland development through land improvement. On the other hand, in developing countries in Africa, poor harvests due to climate change are becoming serious, and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is appealing for the necessity of food aid. It is reported that in the inspection results for the 2025 rice crop (as of August 31), although the first-grade ratio was 66.5%, which is higher than last year, concerns about quality deterioration due to the record-breaking summer heat remain.
◆ Cherishing and nurturing the land that produces the sustenance of 'life.' This is a noble human endeavor deeply connected to the blessings of creation in Christian thought. The introduction of optimal irrigation for paddy rice using AI and smart agriculture will increase production efficiency and open new paths to a sustainable food supply. However, the current situation where the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is struggling to achieve its food self-sufficiency ratio target and the serious food shortages in Africa confront us with the fact that food is not merely an economic activity, but has a fundamental dignity that supports all 'life.' An ethical perspective that protects the fair distribution of food and the dignity of producers is necessary even in places where the light of technology does not reach.
3. Life Sciences: Progress in Personalized Medicine and New Challenges in AI Ethics
Advances in life sciences hold the potential to understand our 'life' more deeply and improve its quality. This past week, progress in personalized medicine and new challenges where AI is deeply involved in human ethics have emerged.
Acceleration of Personalized Medicine and Application of Advanced Technology
Domestically, a new genetic testing service that predicts the recurrence risk of breast cancer with high accuracy has been launched, and progress in personalized medicine is expected. Such tests enable optimal treatment choices for each patient and lead to improving the quality of 'life.' A research team at the International University of Health and Welfare Graduate School succeeded in developing the world's first non-invasive diagnostic method for detecting immunological rejection of transplanted kidneys in living kidney transplantation. This is a groundbreaking achievement that reduces the burden on patients and enables safer transplant medicine. Elix, an AI drug discovery company, announced an AI model that discovers new medicinal effects of existing drugs, which is expected to contribute to accelerating new drug development. News has also been announced at Tokyo Institute of Technology that a novel papain-like protease inhibitor effective against the novel coronavirus has been created.
Ethical Challenges of AI and 'Humanity'
However, the evolution of AI is always accompanied by ethical questions. Google announced a new tool, 'SynthID,' to identify AI-generated images. This is an important initiative to prevent misuse such as deepfakes and to ensure the reliability of information generated by AI. On the other hand, AI is going beyond being a mere tool and is beginning to deeply affect the human spirit and society. A survey in the United States revealed that not a few people think that generative AI is useful for reducing human loneliness. As the possibility of AI substituting the role of a friend is suggested, the definition of human 'empathy' and 'humanity' will be questioned once again. In Japan, as of September 2025, a framework that emphasizes privacy protection and safety while being based on the active promotion of AI has been formed. On May 28, 2025, Japan's first AI basic law, the 'AI Promotion Act,' was enacted, which is said to indirectly support the ethics and risk management of medical AI.
◆ The 'life' of a human being, created in the image of God, possesses an irreplaceable dignity. Advances in personalized medicine, such as genetic testing for breast cancer and non-invasive diagnostics for living kidney transplants, truly pave the way to deeply respect that dignity and enhance the quality of life for each individual. On the other hand, research findings suggesting that AI could become a friend-like presence that heals human loneliness indicate the potential for technology to penetrate deeply into our spiritual world. While measures against misuse are progressing, such as Google's AI-generated image identification tool 'SynthID,' what impact will the 'empathy' possessed by AI have on human nature and ethics? As scientific progress continues, the time has come to sincerely face the fundamental question of what it means to be 'human'.
Toward the next step
This week, through various news stories, I have observed the light and shadow of modern times surrounding 'life.' As technological progress and social transformation accelerate, what values should we rely on and pass on to the next generation? The answer to this question is hidden in our daily choices. I hope this 'iichie Memo' serves as an aid to your reflections on the future. Let us meet here again next week with new perspectives.
#iichieMemo #FuturePrediction #Life #Agriculture #Environment #Technology #ChristianThought #DignityOfLife #Sustainability #ResponsibilityToNextGeneration #TalkAboutTheFutureOnNote
Source notes:
LDP Presidential Election October 4, 2025 Results
Who is the new LDP President Takaichi? A symbol of the party's right wing, return to Abenomics | nippon.com
New LDP President Takaichi's first press conference: Intends to rush coalition negotiations, 'We will proceed by firmly establishing policy agreements' (October 4, 2025)
Nikkei Stock Average Weekly Outlook (Week of 10/6): Ms. Takaichi as new LDP President, will the Japan 225 aim for 47,000 yen?
Indonesia announces plan to accelerate closure of coal-fired power plants - Global News Asia (October 4, 2025)
COP29 host city: Kazakhstan or Azerbaijan? - Wedge ONLINE (October 3, 2025)
Tokyo Metropolitan Government to review and strengthen subsidies for zero-emission housing to accelerate decarbonization - Yahoo! News (October 4, 2025)
Miyakojima marine environmental conservation awareness survey report: Diverse generations interested in coral reef conservation - Miyako Mainichi Shimbun (September 30, 2025)
Microplastics found in bonito digestive tracts, National Research Institute of Fisheries Science reports distribution - Minato Shimbun (September 28, 2025)
AI optimizes irrigation for paddy rice, 20% yield increase and 20% water reduction: Rootrek Networks and Israeli company collaborate - Nikkei Cross Tech ACTIVE (October 4, 2025)
Explaining AI use cases in agriculture and the latest trends in generative AI: 'Online Seminar on Generative AI Utilization for Farmers' to be held on October 16 - PR TIMES (October 2, 2025)
Amid growing concerns over food security, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries sees no prospect of achieving food self-sufficiency targets = Kyodo News - Toyo Keizai Online (October 4, 2025)
[Food Battle] The forefront of food tech: Is this the trump card for solving Japan's food problems? - TBS NEWS DIG (October 1, 2025)
JA Rice to become environmentally friendly rice: Zen-Noh to start initiative from 2026 crop - The Japan Agricultural News (October 2, 2025)
UN WFP requests food aid for developing countries in Africa facing severe food shortages due to crop failures caused by climate change - PR TIMES (September 28, 2025)
First-grade ratio 66.5% for 2025 rice crop as of August 31, September 30, 2025 - The Japan Agricultural News
[Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture] Up to 1 million yen in support for the introduction of smart agricultural equipment: Next-Generation Agriculture Strengthening Support Project (September 30, 2025)
Improving productivity with advanced technology | News - Komeito (October 2, 2025)
Google announces 'SynthID,' a new tool to identify AI-generated images - CNET Japan (September 30, 2025)
Can AI help reduce human loneliness? Survey results in the U.S. suggest the possibility of generative AI replacing the role of friends - innovaTopia (October 4, 2025)
AI drug discovery company Elix announces an AI model that discovers new medicinal effects of existing drugs - innovaTopia (September 29, 2025)
New genetic testing service launched to predict breast cancer recurrence risk with high accuracy - PR TIMES (October 1, 2025)
World's first: Research team at the International University of Health and Welfare School of Medicine succeeds in developing a non-invasive diagnostic method for detecting immunological rejection of transplanted kidneys in living donor kidney transplantation - PR TIMES (September 30, 2025)
Institute of Science Tokyo - Science Tokyo (October 1, 2025)
Explaining Japanese medical AI regulations for beginners! Summary of the latest trends in 2025 - note (September 30, 2025)