abt Selects 4 Grant Projects for the Neonicotinoid Pesticide Issue Program in 2026: Questioning the Future of Food and Ecosystems through Science and Civic Collaboration
Act Beyond Trust (abt) has announced four selected projects for its 2026 grant program addressing neonicotinoid pesticide issues. Amidst Japan's uncertain regulatory landscape compared to the EU's strict bans, abt supports scientific research and civic action to protect ecosystems and promote organic shifts.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 17:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 08:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 09:23 (51 min after Collected)
Over 15 years since its inception in FY2011, the program has supported 91 projects with a total of approximately 120 million yen. This year, four research and civic activity projects targeting Kasumigaura, Akita, Yaeyama, and indoor environments have been selected.
Act Beyond Trust (Location: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Jun Hoshikawa; hereinafter "abt"), a public interest incorporated association, has decided on four selected projects for the FY2026 "Organic Shift Division: Neonicotinoid Pesticide Issue Program". While the EU banned the use of four neonicotinoid pesticides by 2020 and continues to strengthen regulations, Japan is in the middle of a re-evaluation process, and the outlook for stricter regulations remains uncertain. As this "gap with the world" widens, abt supports initiatives that rethink the "future of food and ecosystems" through both scientific research and civic action.
■ Background: EU Strengthens Regulations While Japan is Re-evaluating
Neonicotinoid pesticides (IRAC classification 4A) are insecticides that act on the nervous system of insects (*1). While they are water-soluble and systemic, spreading throughout the plant and used widely on various crops, concerns have been raised about their adverse effects on ecosystems including non-target organisms (*2) and potential health impacts on humans (*3).
In the EU, the use of four neonicotinoids was banned by 2020. Furthermore, for two of them (clothianidin and thiamethoxam), stricter regulations began in 2026, requiring food residue limits, including imports from Japan, to be below the limit of detection (*4). In Japan, they are a priority target for pesticide re-evaluation, and assessment work is underway at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Food Safety Commission, and the Ministry of the Environment (*5). However, with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations expressing opinions on the re-evaluation process (*6), the outlook for stricter regulations remains uncertain.
The pesticide issue is not limited to food safety or human health. It involves ecosystems and biodiversity, including various non-target organisms, and is also a matter of social justice—whether the processes for pesticide registration and residue limit setting are transparent, fair, and appropriately reflect scientific knowledge. With the vision of "beyond ecology," abt continuously tackles this complex issue.
■ FY2026 Grant Program Overview
Program Name:
Organic Shift Division: Neonicotinoid Pesticide Issue Program
Grant Period:
FY2026
Number of Selected Projects:
4
Total Grant Amount:
2,960,560 yen *Finalized amount as of distribution
Total Track Record:
91 projects, 41 organizations, approx. 120 million yen over 15 years since FY2011
■ Secretariat's General Comment
Recognizing that there are still unknown aspects regarding the low-concentration effects of neonicotinoid pesticides requiring careful verification, this grant emphasized research targeting diverse environments such as rivers, lakes, paddy fields, and homes. We value the proactive stance in capturing issues that may become apparent in the future. Additionally, we evaluated complex, steady efforts that can concretely envision a transition to neonic-free or organic practices through community-involved mutual learning and practice. We expect these to become models for community building that collaborate with diverse stakeholders while utilizing scientific knowledge.
■ Selection Committee Comments
Shigenori Furuse (President, Global Environmental Forum)
"Given budget constraints, I believe the key to selection was how closely the proposed content aligned with the purpose of this grant. We also highly appreciate the efforts of those whose projects were not selected. Let's continue to walk together towards creating a safe and secure society."
Hideaki Miyata (Professor Emeritus, Setsunan University)
"The selected projects for FY2026 all feature noteworthy points. Mr. Ryoji Nakazato's project focuses on the diversity of chronic toxicity in chironomid species; the Farmers' Union Food Analysis Center focuses on indoor pollution via dust; the Akita Citizens' Group Thinking About the Environment focuses on investigating water pollution and using it for awareness activities; and Ms. Keiko Shiromoto focuses on new investigations of pollution in Yaeyama region paddy fields. All of these are challenges shedding light on areas that have not been sufficiently visualized until now."
Jun Hoshikawa (Representative Director, Act Beyond Trust)
"We highly evaluated projects that help us move even one step forward toward the destination of bringing the risks of systemic insecticides, including neonicotinoids, as close to zero as possible, and whose activity results are easily communicable to the general public."
■ List of Selected Projects for FY2026
All four projects selected for FY2026 are continuation or developmental projects by individuals or organizations that have received grants from this program in the past. They include the culmination of research and civic activities that abt has accompanied over the long term.
Representative/Organization
Project Name
Grant Sequence
Grant Amount
Ryoji Nakazato
Neonicotinoids in Lake Kasumigaura (Kitaura, Nishiura)
Act Beyond Trust (Location: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Jun Hoshikawa; hereinafter "abt"), a public interest incorporated association, has decided on four selected projects for the FY2026 "Organic Shift Division: Neonicotinoid Pesticide Issue Program". While the EU banned the use of four neonicotinoid pesticides by 2020 and continues to strengthen regulations, Japan is in the middle of a re-evaluation process, and the outlook for stricter regulations remains uncertain. As this "gap with the world" widens, abt supports initiatives that rethink the "future of food and ecosystems" through both scientific research and civic action.
■ Background: EU Strengthens Regulations While Japan is Re-evaluating
Neonicotinoid pesticides (IRAC classification 4A) are insecticides that act on the nervous system of insects (*1). While they are water-soluble and systemic, spreading throughout the plant and used widely on various crops, concerns have been raised about their adverse effects on ecosystems including non-target organisms (*2) and potential health impacts on humans (*3).
In the EU, the use of four neonicotinoids was banned by 2020. Furthermore, for two of them (clothianidin and thiamethoxam), stricter regulations began in 2026, requiring food residue limits, including imports from Japan, to be below the limit of detection (*4). In Japan, they are a priority target for pesticide re-evaluation, and assessment work is underway at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Food Safety Commission, and the Ministry of the Environment (*5). However, with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations expressing opinions on the re-evaluation process (*6), the outlook for stricter regulations remains uncertain.
The pesticide issue is not limited to food safety or human health. It involves ecosystems and biodiversity, including various non-target organisms, and is also a matter of social justice—whether the processes for pesticide registration and residue limit setting are transparent, fair, and appropriately reflect scientific knowledge. With the vision of "beyond ecology," abt continuously tackles this complex issue.
■ FY2026 Grant Program Overview
Program Name:
Organic Shift Division: Neonicotinoid Pesticide Issue Program
Grant Period:
FY2026
Number of Selected Projects:
4
Total Grant Amount:
2,960,560 yen *Finalized amount as of distribution
Total Track Record:
91 projects, 41 organizations, approx. 120 million yen over 15 years since FY2011
■ Secretariat's General Comment
Recognizing that there are still unknown aspects regarding the low-concentration effects of neonicotinoid pesticides requiring careful verification, this grant emphasized research targeting diverse environments such as rivers, lakes, paddy fields, and homes. We value the proactive stance in capturing issues that may become apparent in the future. Additionally, we evaluated complex, steady efforts that can concretely envision a transition to neonic-free or organic practices through community-involved mutual learning and practice. We expect these to become models for community building that collaborate with diverse stakeholders while utilizing scientific knowledge.
■ Selection Committee Comments
Shigenori Furuse (President, Global Environmental Forum)
"Given budget constraints, I believe the key to selection was how closely the proposed content aligned with the purpose of this grant. We also highly appreciate the efforts of those whose projects were not selected. Let's continue to walk together towards creating a safe and secure society."
Hideaki Miyata (Professor Emeritus, Setsunan University)
"The selected projects for FY2026 all feature noteworthy points. Mr. Ryoji Nakazato's project focuses on the diversity of chronic toxicity in chironomid species; the Farmers' Union Food Analysis Center focuses on indoor pollution via dust; the Akita Citizens' Group Thinking About the Environment focuses on investigating water pollution and using it for awareness activities; and Ms. Keiko Shiromoto focuses on new investigations of pollution in Yaeyama region paddy fields. All of these are challenges shedding light on areas that have not been sufficiently visualized until now."
Jun Hoshikawa (Representative Director, Act Beyond Trust)
"We highly evaluated projects that help us move even one step forward toward the destination of bringing the risks of systemic insecticides, including neonicotinoids, as close to zero as possible, and whose activity results are easily communicable to the general public."
■ List of Selected Projects for FY2026
All four projects selected for FY2026 are continuation or developmental projects by individuals or organizations that have received grants from this program in the past. They include the culmination of research and civic activities that abt has accompanied over the long term.
Representative/Organization
Project Name
Grant Sequence
Grant Amount
Ryoji Nakazato
Neonicotinoids in Lake Kasumigaura (Kitaura, Nishiura)