The 19th Summer Festival was held on the baseball field of NIAES in the evening of August 1, 2002 by the volunteers of NIAES, the National Agricultural Research Center and the National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences.  About 1,000 participants comprised the staff members of the institutes, their families and neighbors around the institutes.  A variety of foods, drinks and games were offered by numerous stalls managed by the staff members.  The participants enjoyed the Bon-Odori dance and fireworks.  All had a good time for refreshing themselves and strengthening their friendship.

The NIAES Harvest Festival 2002 took place after work on November 5 to thank the gods and workers for a plenty harvest and enhancing friendship among the staff members.  The Director General expressed appreciation for the staff's services of the year at the opening address.   After the rice harvesting ceremony was performed solemnly, about 200 participants had a good time, enjoying a variety of foods and drinks served by the staff members.