This policy brief is part of the mutual efforts in disseminating science-based knowledge and information, leveraging the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)’s scientific expertise and FAO’s global outreach, as envisaged under the memorandum of understanding. It highlights recent JIRCAS achievements across its three major research programmes and showcases ongoing FAO–JIRCAS collaborations. Drawing lessons from these cases, the brief outlines opportunities to strengthen the partnership and offers insights for similar collaborative models.